Clinical Lab Manager Salary (2026): BLS Data and Cost to Employers
BLS doesn't publish a separate clinical lab manager category. The closest, medical and health services managers, had a May 2025 national median wage of $123,860 and a mean of $140,970. Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians, the staff many lab managers come from, had a median of $62,930. Employers also pay benefits and recruiting costs.
BLS wage data (May 2025)
Medical and health services managers (11-9111): Area: United States; Median annual wage: $123,860; Mean annual wage: $140,970
Medical and health services managers (11-9111): Area: Massachusetts; Median annual wage: $134,360; Mean annual wage: $161,150
Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians (29-2010): Area: United States; Median annual wage: $62,930; Mean annual wage: $67,350
Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians (29-2010): Area: Massachusetts; Median annual wage: $79,120; Mean annual wage: $77,230
BLS counted 597,080 medical and health services managers and 332,940 clinical laboratory technologists and technicians employed nationally in May 2025.
What postings show: lab manager job postings we reviewed in 2026 usually list ranges from the high five figures to the low six figures. Clinical lab, research lab, and safety-manager roles all use the "lab manager" title, so read ranges carefully.
What a lab manager really costs the employer
☐ Base salary
☐ Benefits and payroll taxes
☐ Recruiting (job boards, agency fees, interview time)
☐ Onboarding and training
☐ Vacancy cost: a lab without required oversight risks deficiencies
☐ A separate laboratory director if the manager doesn't qualify for that role
The alternative: remote oversight
If the role you're budgeting for is mainly oversight (director duties, technical consultant duties, compliance), SLC can provide those services remotely. Plans from $500.
Under 42 CFR 493.1407(c) (moderate complexity) and 493.1445(c) (high complexity), the laboratory director must be onsite at least once every 6 months, with at least 4 months between the two minimum visits, and must stay accessible to the lab for telephone or electronic consultation as needed. The director is responsible for the overall operation and administration of the lab, and stays responsible for every duty they delegate. One person may direct no more than five laboratories (§ 493.1407(d), § 493.1445(d)). Remote oversight does not replace the testing personnel, supervisors, or other people your lab's complexity and state require to be physically present.
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, all industries: Medical and Health Services Managers (11-9111) and Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians (29-2010). Figures pulled from the BLS Public Data API (series OEUN000000000000011911104/13, OEUN000000000000029201004/13, OEUS25… for Massachusetts) on 2026-10-26.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average clinical lab manager salary? BLS groups lab managers with medical and health services managers: May 2025 national median $123,860, mean $140,970.
How much do lab managers make in Massachusetts? For medical and health services managers in Massachusetts, BLS reports a May 2025 median of $134,360 and a mean of $161,150.
How much does a CLIA lab director make? BLS doesn't publish a CLIA director category. Pay depends on whether the director is a pathologist, another physician, or a doctoral scientist, and whether it's full-time or contracted.
Is it cheaper to outsource lab oversight? For small labs that need director and consultant coverage but not a full-time manager, it often is. SLC plans start from $500. Your onsite testing staff are still needed.
What do clinical lab technologists earn? BLS May 2025: national median $62,930 and mean $67,350 for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians.
Why do lab manager salary ranges vary so much? The title covers clinical, research, and industrial labs, and pay varies by region, test complexity, and whether the role includes CLIA responsibilities.
Related SLC pages
Talk to SLC about your lab
Tell us what the role was supposed to cover and we'll map it to lab director, technical consultant, and compliance oversight services. Plans from $500.
Sources (verified 2026-10-26): 42 CFR 493.1407 (moderate complexity director) · 42 CFR 493.1445 (high complexity director) · CMS CLIA program
Sound Lab Consultants (SLC) is a nationwide laboratory consulting network with no physical office. Mailing address: PO Box 2135, Chandler, AZ 85244. Email: info@soundlabconsult.com.