Hire a Lab Director or Lab Manager in Florida (Tampa Bay, Orlando, South Florida, Jacksonville)
Florida labs hiring a lab manager or director can budget against BLS figures: the May 2025 Florida median for medical and health services managers was $120,360. Florida stopped licensing clinical labs in 2018, but it still licenses lab personnel, including directors and supervisors. SLC can cover director and compliance oversight remotely, with the onsite visits CLIA requires.
Florida pay benchmarks (BLS, May 2025)
Medical and health services managers: FL median $120,360, FL mean $135,410, U.S. median $123,860
Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians: FL median $60,510, FL mean $63,650, U.S. median $62,930
Florida lab leadership postings in 2026 range from hospital laboratory director and laboratory services director roles to hands-on lab managers who also supervise testing. Many of them ask for a Florida clinical laboratory supervisor license plus years of management experience. Smaller labs often post a "manager" role when what they need first is a qualified CLIA director and technical oversight.
Florida requirements
Labs: Florida's Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) stopped licensing clinical laboratories on July 1, 2018 (Senate Bill 622). Labs must still obtain and keep the right federal CLIA certificate.
People: The Florida Board of Clinical Laboratory Personnel still licenses technicians, technologists, supervisors and directors (Chapter 483, Florida Statutes). Under section 483.824, a clinical laboratory director needs 4 years of clinical lab experience with 2 years in the specialty directed, or national board certification in that specialty, and must be a Florida-licensed physician, hold an earned doctorate in a chemical, physical or biological science with the required national certification, or (for oral pathology only) be a licensed physician or dentist. The Board says director applicants must have the qualifications of a high complexity laboratory director. A supervisor must be licensed as, or qualify as, a clinical laboratory technologist and meet specialty requirements. Section 483.823(2) says a practitioner of the healing arts licensed in Florida does not need a separate personnel license. Applicants now complete electronic fingerprinting. See our Florida CLIA lab page, our Florida supervisor licensing page, and the Board's director page before you finalize a hire.
Hiring checklist for Florida labs
Confirm your CLIA certificate type and test complexity.
Check whether your director candidate holds, or qualifies for, a Florida director license (or is a Florida-licensed physician).
Check Florida licenses for supervisors and testing personnel in each specialty.
Separate director duties from day-to-day manager and testing duties.
Set pay against Florida benchmarks for your metro.
Plan director and technical consultant coverage during the vacancy.
Remote oversight for Florida labs
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 Florida's personnel licensing require to be physically present.
SLC serves Florida as part of its nationwide network. See lab consultant Florida.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lab manager make in Florida?
BLS publishes state figures. Florida medical and health services managers had a May 2025 median of $120,360 and a mean of $135,410. Pay varies by metro and lab type.
Does Florida require a state clinical lab license?
No. AHCA stopped licensing clinical laboratories on July 1, 2018. Labs still need the right CLIA certificate, and lab personnel still need Florida licenses unless an exemption applies.
Does a Florida lab director need a state license?
Florida licenses clinical laboratory directors through the Board of Clinical Laboratory Personnel. Section 483.823(2) says a practitioner of the healing arts licensed in Florida does not need a separate personnel license. Check the Board's rules for your situation.
Can a remote director oversee a Florida lab?
CLIA allows a director who is onsite at least every 6 months, at least 4 months apart, and stays accessible. Testing personnel and any required supervisors still need to be present and properly licensed.
Does SLC have a Florida office?
No. SLC is a nationwide network with no physical office. We work remotely and make onsite visits as required.
What does SLC charge?
Plans from $500. Book a consultation to scope your lab.
Can SLC help while I recruit a manager?
Yes. Director, technical consultant, and compliance oversight services can cover the gap.
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 2026-10-29): AHCA: Discontinuation of Clinical Laboratory Licensure Program · Florida Statutes Chapter 483 · FL Board: Director · FL Board: Supervisor · 42 CFR 493.1407 · 42 CFR 493.1445 · BLS OEWS Florida (API pull 2026-10-29: OEUS1200000000000119111 13/04, 292010 13/04) · 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.