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Hire a Lab Director or Lab Manager in Michigan (Detroit, Southfield, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, Upper Peninsula)
Michigan labs hiring a lab manager or director can budget against BLS figures: the May 2025 Michigan median for medical and health services managers was $107,570. Michigan LARA lists no separate state clinical lab license, so federal CLIA rules set director qualifications. SLC can cover director, technical consultant and compliance oversight remotely, with the onsite visits CLIA requires.
Michigan pay benchmarks (BLS, May 2025)
Medical and health services managers: Michigan median $107,570, Michigan mean $127,430 (U.S. median $123,860).
Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians: Michigan median $61,260, Michigan mean $61,840 (U.S. median $62,930).
Michigan lab leadership postings in fall 2026 include hospital laboratory director roles, blood bank and core lab manager roles in metro Detroit, reference lab director roles that serve as the CLIA director, and specialty roles such as molecular pathology director. Many ask for MLS or MT certification and several years of supervisory experience. Smaller labs and physician offices often post a "manager" role when what they need first is a qualified CLIA director and technical oversight.
Michigan requirements
Labs: CMS lists 8,787 active CLIA-certified labs in Michigan (Provider of Services file, Q3 2026). Michigan LARA's CLIA guidance describes federal CLIA certification as the requirement and does not list a separate state clinical laboratory license. LARA says a CLIA certificate is required even if a lab performs only one test, regardless of reimbursement.
Who surveys: LARA's Bureau of Survey and Certification, Laboratory Improvement Section, runs the CLIA program for CMS in Michigan, including surveys and complaint investigations. Accredited labs are inspected by their accrediting organization, such as COLA or CAP.
People: Director, technical consultant, supervisor and testing personnel qualifications follow 42 CFR Part 493. For non-waived applications, LARA asks for a copy of the director's State of Michigan license (not a screenshot of the license-verification page), board certifications, and documentation of training or experience as applicable. See our Michigan CLIA lab page and LARA's CLIA page before you finalize a hire.
Hiring checklist for Michigan labs
Confirm your CLIA certificate type and test complexity.
Check that your director candidate meets the CLIA director qualifications for that complexity, including the 2024 personnel rule changes.
Gather the director documents LARA asks for: Michigan license copy, board certifications, and training or experience records.
Separate director duties from day-to-day manager and testing duties.
Set pay against Michigan benchmarks for your metro.
Plan director and technical consultant coverage during the vacancy.
Remote oversight for Michigan 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 requires to be physically present.
SLC serves Michigan as part of its nationwide network, from Detroit and Grand Rapids to the Upper Peninsula. See lab consultant Michigan and Michigan POL technical consultant (COLA).
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lab manager make in Michigan? BLS publishes state figures. Michigan medical and health services managers had a May 2025 median of $107,570 and a mean of $127,430. Pay varies by metro and lab type.
Does Michigan require a state clinical lab license? LARA's CLIA guidance describes federal CLIA certification as the requirement and lists no separate state clinical laboratory license. LARA runs CLIA surveys for CMS in Michigan.
What does LARA need about the lab director? For non-waived CLIA applications, LARA asks for a copy of the director's State of Michigan license, board certifications, and documentation of training or experience as applicable.
Can a remote director oversee a Michigan 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.
Does SLC have a Michigan 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 2026-10-30): Michigan LARA BSC: CLIA · CMS Provider of Services file, Clinical Laboratories (Q3 2026) · 42 CFR 493.1407 · 42 CFR 493.1445 · BLS OEWS Michigan (API pull 2026-10-30: OEUS2600000000000119111 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.