Research Lab Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a Research Lab Manager make in the United States?

As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a Research Lab Manager in the United States is $118,839 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $57.

However, a Research Lab Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $140,670
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $106,250 to $130,266
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $94,788
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View as table View as graph 25% $106,250 10% $94,788 90% $140,670 75% $130,266 $118,839 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Research Lab Manager Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $130,266 $10,856 $2,505 $63
Average $118,839 $9,903 $2,285 $57
25th Percentile $106,250 $8,854 $2,043 $51
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Key Factors That Influence Research Lab Manager Salaries

A Research Lab Manager's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Research Lab Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Research Lab Manager's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $82,014
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $96,784
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $117,998
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $143,231
  • Expert (over 8 years): $167,925
Levels Salary
Laborator... Level Research Lab Manager$82,014
Laborator... Level Research Lab Manager$96,784
Research ... Level Research Lab Manager$117,998
Laborator... Level Research Lab Manager$143,231
Laborator... Level Research Lab Manager$167,925
$82,014 0 yr
$96,784 < 2 yrs
$117,998 2-4 yrs
$143,231 5-8 yrs
$167,925 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Research Lab Managers

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $149,892
  • San Francisco: $148,418
  • Oakland: $145,126

What Skills Can Increase a Research Lab Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 6.98% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Calibration (Mentioned in 2.56% Job Postings): In measurement technology and metrology, calibration is the comparison of measurement values delivered by a device under test with those of a calibration standard of known accuracy. Such a standard could be another measurement device of known accuracy, a device generating the quantity to be measured such as a voltage, a sound tone, or a physical artefact, such as a metre ruler. The outcome of the comparison can result in one of the following: no significant error being noted on the device under test a significant error being noted but no adjustment made an adjustment made to correct the error to an acceptable levelStrictly speaking, the term "calibration" means just the act of comparison, and does not include any subsequent adjustment. The calibration standard is normally traceable to a national standard held by a national metrological body.
  • Regulatory Compliance (Mentioned in 1.77% Job Postings): Monitoring strict adherence of all organizational processes and procedures to applicable laws and regulations.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 6.98%
Calibration 2.56%
Regulatory Compliance 1.77%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Research Lab Manager's salary.
  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Quality Management: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Pathology: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Project Management
$124,781
5%
Quality Management
$123,593
4%
Pathology
$123,593
4%
Collaboration
$123,593
4%
Accountability
$123,593
4%
Presentation
$123,593
4%
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How Education impacts a Research Lab Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Research Lab Managers enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Research Lab Manager with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $112,287 and $120,615).

Research Lab Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Research Lab Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.4%
High School 3.8%
Associates 6.9%
Bachelors 53.1%
Masters 30.2%
Doctorate 5.7%
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Research Lab Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Research Lab Manager's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on April 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Research Lab Manager

Salaries for a Research Lab Manager can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $102,720 in 2023 to around $102,733 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Research Lab Manager salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Research Lab Manager Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$102,720
2024
$103,592
2025
$102,733
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $102,720
2024 $103,592
2025 $102,733
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Research Lab Manager

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Research Lab Manager

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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