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Test Lab Manager Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Test Lab Manager in the United States is $132,156 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $64.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $156,407
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $118,145 to $144,850
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $105,389
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Test Lab Manager Salaries

A Test 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 Test Lab Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Test 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): $93,328
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $109,144
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $131,222
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $143,906
  • Expert (over 8 years): $168,615
Levels Salary
Laborator... Level Test Lab Manager$93,328
Laborator... Level Test Lab Manager$109,144
Test Lab ... Level Test Lab Manager$131,222
Laborator... Level Test Lab Manager$143,906
Laborator... Level Test Lab Manager$168,615
View as Graph

How Do Test Lab Manager Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Test Lab Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $146,323.
  • California: $145,768.
  • Massachusetts: $143,825.

Top Paying Cities for Test 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: $166,688
  • San Francisco: $164,863
  • Oakland: $161,389

What Skills Can Increase a Test 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.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 6.98%
Calibration 2.56%
Regulatory Compliance 1.77%
See More Skills

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 Test 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 $138,764
5%
Quality Management $137,442
4%
Pathology $137,442
4%
Get Latest Data

Test Lab Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Test Lab Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 51% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Construction and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Test Lab Manager positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Test Lab Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Test Lab Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Construction$158,587$76.020%
Energy & Utilities$151,979$73.015%
Media$148,015$71.012%
Telecom$146,693$71.011%
Aerospace & Defense$145,372$70.010%

How Education impacts a Test Lab Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Test 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 Test Lab Manager with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $112,287 and $120,615).

Test Lab Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Test 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%
View as Graph

Test Lab Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Test 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 September 01, 2026
$118,145
Average $132,156/year
$144,850
$9,845
Average $11,013/month
$12,071
$2,272
Average $2,541/week
$2,786
$57
Average $64/hour
$70
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $144,850 $12,071 $2,786 $70
Average $132,156 $11,013 $2,541 $64
25th Percentile $118,145 $9,845 $2,272 $57

Most common benefits for Test Lab Manager

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Test Lab Manager

Here are companies hiring for Test Lab Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Test Lab Manager

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Test Lab Manager?

The Construction industry offers the highest average compensation for Test Lab Manager roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

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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