Department director vs laboratory director

The differences between department directors and laboratory directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a department director and a laboratory director. Additionally, a department director has an average salary of $97,804, which is higher than the $92,971 average annual salary of a laboratory director.

The top three skills for a department director include patient care, patients and healthcare. The most important skills for a laboratory director are clinical laboratory, patients, and patient care.

Department director vs laboratory director overview

	Department Director	Laboratory Director
Yearly salary	$97,804	$92,971
Hourly rate	$47.02	$44.70
Growth rate	28%	28%
Number of jobs	73,424	59,500
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 57%	Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	6	6

What does a department director do?

A Department Director spearheads and oversees the operations of a department, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Although their responsibilities vary upon the functions of a department, they typically have the power to decide on projects and programs. Their responsibilities include setting goals, establishing budgets and guidelines, representing the department at meetings and media coverages, liaising with external business partners, managing staff, and monitoring the progress of operations. Moreover, a Department Director leads and encourages staff to reach goals while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

What does a laboratory director do?

A Laboratory Director is responsible for the overall operation and administration of the laboratory. They examine data, create reports, manage the staff, and ensure that the lab facility operates in accordance with the regulatory provisions of the government and the organization.

Department director vs laboratory director salary

Department directors and laboratory directors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Department Director	Laboratory Director
Average salary	$97,804	$92,971
Salary range	Between $64,000 And $148,000	Between $55,000 And $156,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	New Jersey	Delaware
Best paying company	Anna Jaques Hospital	Reed Smith
Best paying industry	Finance	Media

Differences between department director and laboratory director education

There are a few differences between a department director and a laboratory director in terms of educational background:

	Department Director	Laboratory Director
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 57%	Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common major	Business	Biology
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Department director vs laboratory director demographics

Here are the differences between department directors' and laboratory directors' demographics:

	Department Director	Laboratory Director
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 52.8% Female, 47.2%	Male, 55.9% Female, 44.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 7.9% White, 62.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 8.1% White, 61.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	12%	12%

Differences between department director and laboratory director duties and responsibilities

Department director example responsibilities.

Manage and direct bureau operations, and provide oversight of criminal investigations of statewide importance.
Establish and develop relationships with ERP and consulting vendors with the goal of maximizing comparative advantage and cost efficient solution development.
Ensure compliance with all CMS regulations.
Provide public education in the areas of fire department capabilities and history as well as CPR classes.
Follow up and coordination of rehabilitation services.
Cross-Train pre-operative and PACU staff to optimize efficiency.

Laboratory director example responsibilities.

Perform and manage quality control, maintenance and calibration of all equipment in hematology, coagulation and urinalysis.
Set up forensic DNA laboratory, train laboratory technicians in advance molecular techniques, and manage day-to-day activities of forensic DNA laboratory
Consult patients on various laboratory procedures involve in IVF.
Supervise 8 managers and 130 full-time employees (FTEs).
Focus on sterility, endotoxin, water and bioburden testing.
Restore compliance integrity of lab back to full capacity in time for JCAHO inspection.

Department director vs laboratory director skills

Common department director skills

Patient Care, 15%
Patients, 14%
Healthcare, 13%
Oversight, 8%
Human Resources, 5%
Payroll, 4%

Common laboratory director skills

Clinical Laboratory, 11%
Patients, 10%
Patient Care, 9%
CLIA, 6%
Test Results, 6%
Laboratory Services, 4%

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Department Director
Department Director vs Laboratory Director

Updated January 8, 2025

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