How Much Does a Lab Manager Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$167,220
Lab managers in the U.S. earn a median of $167,220 a year, or $80.39 an hour. Half of lab managers earn more than $167,220 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $316,850.
Pay percentiles for lab managers
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38.32 | $79,710 |
| 25th | $57.42 | $119,430 |
| 50th (median) | $80.39 | $167,220 |
| 75th | $106.51 | $221,540 |
| 90th | $152.33 | $316,850 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Natural Sciences Managers (SOC 11-9121). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for lab managers
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $267,290 | $128.51 | +60% |
| Connecticut | $210,670 | $101.28 | +26% |
| California | $210,230 | $101.07 | +26% |
| New Jersey | $207,030 | $99.54 | +24% |
| Washington | $182,480 | $87.73 | +9% |
| North Carolina | $173,870 | $83.59 | +4% |
| Maryland | $168,620 | $81.07 | +1% |
| Illinois | $159,670 | $76.77 | −5% |
| District of Columbia | $156,730 | $75.35 | −6% |
| Kansas | $153,820 | $73.95 | −8% |
| United States | $167,220 | $80.39 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many lab managers are there?
BLS counts about 108,690 lab managers employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Natural Sciences Managers”. The most jobs are in California (14,950), Massachusetts (10,590) and New Jersey (10,040).
The mean (average) annual wage is $180,250, higher than the median of $167,220.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $13,935
- Biweekly
- $6,432
- Weekly
- $3,216
- Daily (8 hours)
- $643
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do lab managers make an hour?
The median hourly wage for lab managers is $80.39. The middle 50% earn between $57.42 and $106.51 an hour.
Which state pays lab managers the most?
Massachusetts has the highest median wage for lab managers at $267,290, +60% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for lab managers?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of lab managers earn less than $79,710 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.