As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Laboratory Director in the United States is $171,688. Salary.com reports that pay typically ranges from $157,248 to $192,512, with most professionals earning between $144,101 and $211,471.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $192,512 | $16,043 | $3,702 | $93 |
| Average | $171,688 | $14,307 | $3,302 | $83 |
| 25th Percentile | $157,248 | $13,104 | $3,024 | $76 |
An entry-level Laboratory Director with less than 1 year of experience earns about $162,852. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $164,145. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $165,222. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $166,947, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $169,102.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Laboratory Director | $162,852 |
| Intermediate Level Laboratory Director | $164,145 |
| Senior Level Laboratory Director | $165,222 |
| Specialist Level Laboratory Director | $166,947 |
| Expert Level Laboratory Director | $169,102 |
| Entry Level | 5% |
| Mid Level | 4% |
| Senior Level | 4% |
| Top Level | 3% |
| Experienced | 2% |
Salaries in the United States differ widely between states due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
What Am I Worth?
Salaries in the United States can vary greatly between cities due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
As of April 01, 2025, our research reveals a significant shift in Laboratory Director compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $196,967 in 2023 to approximately $196,865 in 2024. (For a detailed analysis of Laboratory Director salary trends, click here.)
Key factors like location, experience, industry demand, and economic growth significantly influence salary variations, making them important to consider.
Salary.com job board provides millions of Laboratory Director information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Laboratory Director job openings or enter a new job title here.
Here are companies hiring for Laboratory Director and their salaries, click below for more details.
| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $171,688 | 73.4% | ||
| Bonus | $0 | 0.0% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $12,943 | 5.5% | ||
| 401K/403B | $7,211 | 3.1% | ||
| Disability | $3,434 | 1.5% | ||
| Healthcare | $8,352 | 3.6% | ||
| Pension | $9,271 | 4.0% | ||
| Time Off | $21,131 | 9.0% | ||
| Total Compensation | $234,030 | 100% | ||
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| Associates | 25.0% |
| Masters | 25.0% |
| Doctorate | 50.0% |
What Am I Worth?
The average annual salary of Laboratory Director is $171,688. In case you are finding an easy salary calculator, the average hourly pay of Laboratory Director is $83; the average weekly pay of Laboratory Director is $3,302; the average monthly pay of Laboratory Director is $14,307.
A Laboratory Director's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Laboratory Director earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Laboratory Director is $216,550.
The highest pay for Laboratory Director is $211,471.
The lowest pay for Laboratory Director is $144,101.
Leads and directs the strategic design, management, and implementation of laboratory operations. Establishes and approves operating policies and procedures to guide the design of projects. Estimates the time and resources needed to complete projects. Orders and inspects materials and equipment and maintains detailed and accurate inventory of lab supplies. Manages costs by maintaining vendor relationships and implementing process improvements. Typically responsible for acquiring funding. Requires a master's degree. Typically reports to top management. Manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function.
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.
