Laboratory manager vs quality supervisor

The differences between laboratory managers and quality supervisors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a laboratory manager and a quality supervisor. Additionally, a laboratory manager has an average salary of $74,314, which is higher than the $60,486 average annual salary of a quality supervisor.

The top three skills for a laboratory manager include lab equipment, patients and customer service. The most important skills for a quality supervisor are continuous improvement, ISO, and corrective action.

Laboratory manager vs quality supervisor overview

	Laboratory Manager	Quality Supervisor
Yearly salary	$74,314	$60,486
Hourly rate	$35.73	$29.08
Growth rate	3%	3%
Number of jobs	43,321	61,400
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 64%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	6	6

What does a laboratory manager do?

Laboratory managers provide accurate laboratory diagnosis through evaluating specimen procedures and coordinating with pathologists to validate laboratory findings. They are responsible for maintaining laboratory tools and equipment, ensuring the proper sterilization of instruments before and after use, organizing equipment based on its function, and immediately repairing or replacing defective items. A laboratory manager also secures the confidentiality of laboratory systems, keeping records of results, and releasing information to the appropriate personnel. Laboratory managers must have a broad knowledge of the scientific industry, as well as excellent analytical and critical-thinking skills.

What does a quality supervisor do?

A quality supervisor is an individual who manages and implements the quality assurance and control systems of a company to ensure the proper execution of products and customer satisfaction. Quality supervisors oversee a team of quality control analysts and train them on the latest product standards. They must make sure that customers are pleased with the finished product by communicating with them and setting realistic expectations. Quality supervisors must also provide reports on quality metrics to the other members of the management team.

Laboratory manager vs quality supervisor salary

Laboratory managers and quality supervisors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Laboratory Manager	Quality Supervisor
Average salary	$74,314	$60,486
Salary range	Between $49,000 And $111,000	Between $43,000 And $84,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	Richmond, CA
Highest paying state	Hawaii	Hawaii
Best paying company	Meta	Intuitive Surgical
Best paying industry	Pharmaceutical	Automotive

Differences between laboratory manager and quality supervisor education

There are a few differences between a laboratory manager and a quality supervisor in terms of educational background:

	Laboratory Manager	Quality Supervisor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 64%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common major	Biology	Business
Most common college	Stanford University	Stanford University

Laboratory manager vs quality supervisor demographics

Here are the differences between laboratory managers' and quality supervisors' demographics:

	Laboratory Manager	Quality Supervisor
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 58.4% Female, 41.6%	Male, 66.6% Female, 33.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.9% Asian, 9.0% White, 70.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	Black or African American, 3.9% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 13.3% Asian, 9.2% White, 69.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between laboratory manager and quality supervisor duties and responsibilities

Laboratory manager example responsibilities.

Lead laboratory investigations, OOS, deviations, change controls and CAPA.
Manage daily personnel challenges, assist with marketing and maintain appropriate standards and regulations per JCAHO, DNV.
Manage staff and oversee FDA guidelines and regulations for pharmaceutical research
Initiate and manage successful in-house design and implementation of network base LIMS database.
Manage curriculum development, authore and publish lab manuals in physiology and ecology.
Manage daily laboratory operations including personnel, client consulting, analyses and adherence to GLP protocols.

Quality supervisor example responsibilities.

Lead the TS16949 implementation team.
Research and involve respective departments to achieve immediate corrective/preventative action response to pertinent customer and internal CAPA's, as required.
Maintain effective work instructions and operating procedures for inspection, operations and supplier quality assurance per ISO requirements.
Develop KPIs for suppliers and document progress.
Participate in hosting customer, governmental, third party certifying body plant visits and perform all GMP internal audits.
Prepare documentation and training for ISO re-certification audits.

Laboratory manager vs quality supervisor skills

Common laboratory manager skills

Lab Equipment, 12%
Patients, 9%
Customer Service, 7%
Chemistry, 6%
Clinical Laboratory, 5%
Lab Safety, 5%

Common quality supervisor skills

Continuous Improvement, 7%
ISO, 6%
Corrective Action, 5%
Quality Standards, 5%
Food Safety, 4%
Product Quality, 3%

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Laboratory Manager
Laboratory Manager vs Quality Supervisor

Updated January 8, 2025

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