Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Laboratory supervisor education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a laboratory supervisor. Laboratory supervisors usually study biology, chemistry, or medical technician. 62% of laboratory supervisors hold a bachelor's degree, and 16% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 8,683 real laboratory supervisor resumes to see exactly what laboratory supervisor education sections show.
The most common colleges for laboratory supervisors are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online laboratory supervisor courses to help get the education required to be a laboratory supervisor.
There are certain laboratory supervisor certifications that you should consider. These laboratory supervisor certifications include Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT(AAB)) and Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS).
What education do you need to become a laboratory supervisor?
What degree do you need to be a laboratory supervisor?
- Bachelor's, 62%
- Associate, 16%
- Master's, 11%
- High School Diploma, 6%
- Other Degrees, 5%
What should I major in to become a laboratory supervisor?
- Biology, 19%
- Chemistry, 16%
- Medical Technician, 10%
- Business, 10%
- Other Majors, 45%
Most common colleges for laboratory supervisors
| Laboratory supervisor common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 11.49% |
| Ohio State University | 5.92% |
| George Washington University, The | 5.39% |
| University of Houston | 5.39% |
| Michigan State University | 5.21% |
Best majors for laboratory supervisors
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Biology | 19.5% |
| 2 | Chemistry | 16.5% |
| 3 | Medical Technician | 9.8% |
| 4 | Business | 9.6% |
| 5 | Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science | 9.1% |
Best colleges for laboratory supervisors
The best colleges for laboratory supervisors are Northwestern University, Stanford University, and University of Pennsylvania.
A laboratory supervisor with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for laboratory supervisors. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become laboratory supervisors.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
2. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
3. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
4. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
5. Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$18,454
Enrollment
40,108
6. SUNY Stony Brook
Stony Brook, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,625
Enrollment
17,407
7. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
8. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$14,760
Enrollment
31,451
9. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
10. Howard University
Washington, DC • Private
In-state tuition
$26,756
Enrollment
6,166
20 best online courses for laboratory supervisors
Advertising disclosure
1. Become a Microbiology Laboratory Technician
Microbiology...
2. OSHA Safety Pro: Personal Protective Equipment
Impress management or get that job with you your ability to display life and dollar saving work place safety practices...
3. OSHA Safety Pro: Trenching Excavation & Soil Mechanics
A quick yet detailed certification in OSHA safety with a focus on Trenching, Excavation, & Soil Mechanics...
4. Food Safety for Managers and Supervisors
The Highfield Food Safety Level 3 syllabus presented in two hours of video tutorials. Boost your food safety knowledge...
5. OSHA Workplace Safety (General Industry 6 Hr Class)
Learn the requirements and standards associated with OSHA and workplace safety. Safety best practices for the workplace...
6. ISO 22000:2018. Food Safety Management System
Understand the requirements for a food safety management system applicable for any organization in the food chain...
7. Supervisor Leadership Skills for a Safe Workplace
Learn safety communication skills to foster safety accountability, responsibility and correct safety behaviours...
8. OSHA Safety Pro: Deadly Concrete Dust. Crystalline Silica.
OSHA's General, Construction, and Maritime Industries Hazard Prevention and Safety Standard...
9. ISO 45001. Occupational health & safety management system
Upgrate your health and safety career by understanding the requriements for an OH & S management system from ISO 45001...
10. Manual Software Testing: Complete Course with Practical Labs
Tools: JIRA, Bugzilla, Trello, Postman, 21 types of Testing, 7 principles of testing, QC and QA, ISTQB, Interview QA...
11. OSHA Safety Pro: Hearing Protection Program
Your guide to preventing hearing loss using OSHA's Occupational Noise Exposure Standards...
12. OSHA Safety Training: Heat Stress Management
A Workplace Safety Management Course for Current and Future Safety Professionals...
13. Basic Certificate in Health Safety & Environment-HSE Level 2
A comprehensive course for Safety Officers, Supervisors, Managers and Aspiring Safety Professionals...
14. Affinity Photo: Master Photo Editing in Affinity Photo 2
Affinity Photo Editing Course Learn Affinity Photo 2, an easy-to-use photo editing tool for Mac or PC...
15. Affinity Photo for the iPad
The tools and techniques you need, plus new videos covering Affinity Photo 2.0!...
16. Customer Service & Support For Customer Service Executives
Learn Customer Service Skills & Provide Excellent Customer Support, Customer Experience & How To Manage Upset Customers...
17. Customer Service Mastery: Delight Every Customer
Master Customer Service using this practical customer care course...
18. OSHA Safety Training: Conducting Safety Meetings
A Brief Safety Management Course for Current and Aspiring Safety Professionals...
19. Customer Service
How to Approach New Customers and Maintain Existing Ones...
20. Affinity Photo: A Beginner's Guide to Photo Compositing
Create your own amazing photo composites with this complete Affinity Photo course!...
Top 10 most affordable universities for laboratory supervisors
The most affordable schools for laboratory supervisors are California State University - Bakersfield, hunter college of the city university of new york, and suny farmingdale.
If the best universities for laboratory supervisors are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for laboratory supervisors.
1. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
2. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
3. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
4. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
5. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
6. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
7. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
8. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
9. Minot State University
Minot, ND • Private
In-state tuition
$7,064
Cost of attendance
15,576
10. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Cost of attendance
22,430
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for laboratory supervisors
The hardest universities for laboratory supervisors to get into are Northwestern University, Stanford University, and University of Pennsylvania.
Some great schools for laboratory supervisors are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for laboratory supervisors based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
2. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
3. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
4. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
5. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
6. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
7. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
8. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
9. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
10. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for laboratory supervisors
The easiest schools for laboratory supervisors to get into are Barry University, oklahoma wesleyan university, and notre dame college.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a laboratory supervisor without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for laboratory supervisors.
1. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
2. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
3. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
4. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
5. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
6. Presentation College
Aberdeen, SD • Private
Admissions rate
97%
SAT average
1,050
7. Thomas More University
Crestview Hills, KY • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,099
8. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
9. Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, WI • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,035
10. Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,033
Average laboratory supervisor salary by education level
| Laboratory supervisor education level | Laboratory supervisor salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $78,906 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $57,135 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $75,998 |
| Doctorate Degree | $77,745 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $66,371 |
Laboratory supervisor education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common healthcare practitioner and technical questions.
Search for laboratory supervisor jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025