How To Become A Laboratory Manager Of Operations: What It Is and Career Path

What is a laboratory manager of operations and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Lauren Smith

These professionals ensure that laboratory operations run safely and efficiently. They are in charge of scheduling staff, reordering supplies, and maintaining security standards. They are also responsible for every aspect of the lab, from equipment to supplies, software, documentation, and employees.

The duties of the laboratory manager of operations vary from one laboratory to another. The Lab Manager trains lab technicians and assistants on how to use lab equipment properly. They plan and implement the overall laboratory policies and procedures. Also, they ensure department quality control and compliance adherence.

A bachelor's degree in a laboratory-related course and more than five years of experience is always required for a laboratory manager of operations. They must possess leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills. The Laboratory Manager earns an average salary of $106,564, but the range is between $94,461 and $118,445. They can work in health care laboratories or industrial and manufacturing companies.

What general advice would you give to a laboratory manager of operations?

Lauren Smith

Lecturer of Management & Marketing, Susquehanna University

Lauren Smith advises graduates to actively engage in a dual pursuit of entrepreneurship and traditional corporate roles, emphasizing the importance of gaining diverse experiences.

ScoreLaboratory Manager Of OperationsUS Average

Salary

6.4

Avg. Salary $82,251

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

9.6

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.47%

Asian 6.41%

Black or African American 6.23%

Hispanic or Latino 15.36%

Unknown 4.34%

White 67.19%

Gender

female 36.04%

male 63.96%

Age - 44

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 - 44

Stress level

9.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

9.2

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

3.6

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a laboratory manager of operations

Explore laboratory manager of operations education requirements

Most common laboratory manager of operations degrees

Bachelor's

63.4 %

Master's

19.1 %

Associate

10.7 %

Start to develop specific laboratory manager of operations skills

Skills	Percentages
Clinical Laboratory	11.39%
Chemistry	7.79%
CLIA	7.38%
Lab Operations	6.70%
Laboratory Safety	5.53%

Complete relevant laboratory manager of operations training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New laboratory managers of operations 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 laboratory manager of operations based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real laboratory manager of operations resumes.

Research laboratory manager of operations duties and responsibilities

Manage and conduct GLP evaluations and audits of service providers and facilities and processes.
Manage laboratory operations and staff, including test method development in compliance regulatory standards (ASTM, ISO, FDA).
Set up forensic DNA laboratory, train laboratory technicians in advance molecular techniques, and manage day-to-day activities of forensic DNA laboratory
Mass DEP, OSHA, etc .).

Prepare your laboratory manager of operations resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your laboratory manager of operations 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 laboratory manager of operations resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable laboratory manager of operations resume templates

Build a professional laboratory manager of operations 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 laboratory manager of operations resume.