Hire a Lab Director or Lab Manager in Texas (Houston, San Antonio, Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin)
Texas labs hiring a lab manager or director can budget against BLS figures: the May 2025 Texas median for medical and health services managers was $114,150. Texas does not state-license clinical labs, but CLIA applications (other than waiver) need lab director qualification documents. SLC can cover director and compliance oversight remotely, with the onsite visits CLIA requires.
Texas pay benchmarks (BLS, May 2025)
Medical and health services managers: Texas median $114,150, Texas mean $128,860, U.S. median $123,860.
Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians: Texas median $59,290, Texas mean $61,730, U.S. median $62,930.
Clinical lab leadership postings in Texas in 2026 range from hands-on lab managers who also run testing, to technical supervisors and lead scientists in hospital labs. Many smaller labs post a "manager" role when what they need first is a qualified CLIA director and technical oversight.
Texas requirements
Texas Health and Human Services (HHSC) states that Texas laboratories are not state licensed. Labs follow federal CLIA rules, and HHSC's Health Facility Compliance staff inspect labs for CMS. HHSC processes initial CLIA applications through its regional offices using the CMS-116 plus Texas Form 3225, and every application except a Certificate of Waiver must include lab director qualification documentation. See our Texas CLIA lab page and the HHSC CLIA page before you finalize a hire.
Hiring checklist for Texas labs
Confirm your CLIA certificate type and test complexity.
Have director qualification documents ready for HHSC (all certificates except waiver).
Separate director duties from day-to-day manager and testing duties.
Decide which duties need daily onsite presence.
Set pay against Texas benchmarks for your metro.
Plan director and technical consultant coverage during the vacancy.
Remote oversight for Texas 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 Texas as part of its nationwide network. See lab consultant Texas, plus our Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth and Austin and San Antonio pages.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lab manager make in Texas? BLS publishes state figures. Texas medical and health services managers had a May 2025 median of $114,150 and a mean of $128,860. Pay varies by metro and lab type.
Does Texas require a state clinical lab license? No. Texas HHSC says Texas laboratories are not state licensed. Labs still need the right CLIA certificate, and HHSC handles CLIA applications and inspections for CMS.
What does HHSC need about the lab director? For every CLIA certificate except a Certificate of Waiver, HHSC requires lab director qualification documentation with the initial application, along with a complete CMS-116 and Form 3225.
Can a remote director oversee a Texas 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 as CLIA requires.
Does SLC have a Texas 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 2026-10-28): Texas HHSC: Laboratories - CLIA · Texas Form 3225 · 42 CFR 493.1407 · 42 CFR 493.1445 · BLS OEWS Texas (API pull 2026-10-28: OEUS4800000000000119111 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.