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What is a clinical laboratory manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read

Rapid, accurate laboratory results are crucial in diagnosing diseases and helping doctors develop treatment plans for their patients. That is why many clinical labs, or laboratories that work with patient samples, employ a clinical laboratory manager to make sure testing runs smoothly.

The clinical laboratory manager is in charge of scientists and technicians and makes sure that they follow safety policies and are working according to standard procedures. They also handle the administrative side of running a lab, such as buying supplies or managing patient data, so that technicians can be free to dedicate themselves only to testing.

A clinical laboratory manager needs to be highly organized in order to make sure that the lab stays in tip-top shape. They also need to have extensive scientific knowledge as well--especially since it's often their job to troubleshoot lab equipment or run tests if the lab needs an extra pair of hands.

ScoreClinical Laboratory ManagerUS Average
Salary
6.2

Avg. Salary $79,359

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
7.1

Growth rate 28%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.5
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.72%

Asian 7.82%

Black or African American 11.67%

Hispanic or Latino 14.02%

Unknown 4.25%

White 61.53%

Gender

female 57.54%

male 42.46%

Age - 47
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 47
Stress level
7.1

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.8

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
4.9

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Clinical laboratory manager career paths

Key steps to become a clinical laboratory manager

  1. Explore clinical laboratory manager education requirements

    Most common clinical laboratory manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    57.3 %

    Master's

    17.0 %

    Associate

    14.3 %
  2. Start to develop specific clinical laboratory manager skills

    SkillsPercentages
    CLIA9.76%
    Patients9.22%
    Test Results7.50%
    Hematology7.27%
    Microbiology6.95%
  3. Complete relevant clinical laboratory manager training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New clinical laboratory managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a clinical laboratory manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real clinical laboratory manager resumes.
  4. Research clinical laboratory manager duties and responsibilities

    • Lead and guide in developing quality improvement programs to continue delivering high quality services to physician and patients.
    • Set up forensic DNA laboratory, train laboratory technicians in advance molecular techniques, and manage day-to-day activities of forensic DNA laboratory
    • Maintain LIS software updates for CPT procedure codes and ICD-9 coding.
    • Integrate an LIS system into the laboratory environment.
  5. Prepare your clinical laboratory manager resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your clinical laboratory manager resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a clinical laboratory manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable clinical laboratory manager resume templates

    Build a professional clinical laboratory manager resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your clinical laboratory manager resume.
    Clinical Laboratory Manager Resume
    Clinical Laboratory Manager Resume
    Clinical Laboratory Manager Resume
    Clinical Laboratory Manager Resume
    Clinical Laboratory Manager Resume
    Clinical Laboratory Manager Resume
    Clinical Laboratory Manager Resume
    Clinical Laboratory Manager Resume
    Clinical Laboratory Manager Resume
  6. Apply for clinical laboratory manager jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a clinical laboratory manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first clinical laboratory manager job

Zippi

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Average clinical laboratory manager salary

The average clinical laboratory manager salary in the United States is $79,359 per year or $38 per hour. Clinical laboratory manager salaries range between $55,000 and $114,000 per year.

Average clinical laboratory manager salary
$79,359 Yearly
$38.15 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do clinical laboratory managers rate their job?

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Clinical laboratory manager reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2020
Pros

Keeping my lab in compliance with the local and state laws and communicating with the health care personals.

Cons

I like everything


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A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2020
Cons

That we are not respected as autonomous certified individuals that are equal to nurses. Also the pay does not reflect our education and expertise.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2019
Pros

All of it. Enjoy CAP accreditation visits. Scheduling, policy procedures making.. QC program


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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