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How to hire a laboratory supervisor

Laboratory supervisor hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring laboratory supervisors in the United States:

  • The median cost to hire a laboratory supervisor is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • HR departments typically allocate 15% of their budget towards recruitment efforts.
  • Small businesses spend $1,105 per laboratory supervisor on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • It takes approximately 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • There are a total of 40,246 laboratory supervisors in the US, and there are currently 49,957 job openings in this field.
  • New York, NY, has the highest demand for laboratory supervisors, with 52 job openings.

How to hire a laboratory supervisor, step by step

To hire a laboratory supervisor, you should clearly understand the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, and allocate a budget for the position. You will also need to post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a laboratory supervisor:

Here's a step-by-step laboratory supervisor hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a laboratory supervisor job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new laboratory supervisor
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a laboratory supervisor do?

The primary job of laboratory supervisors is to oversee the daily operations of laboratories. They are responsible for facilitating the collection, analysis, and interpretation of laboratory results. Other responsibilities include supervising personnel, managing the operating budget of the laboratory, and hiring employees. Laboratory supervisors are responsible for overseeing quality assurance and enforcing practices to ensure quality control within the laboratory. Aside from these tasks, they also manage the acquisition of laboratory equipment and supplies and resolve any technical or administrative issues within the laboratory.

Learn more about the specifics of what a laboratory supervisor does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    First, determine the employments status of the laboratory supervisor you need to hire. Certain laboratory supervisor roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    A laboratory supervisor's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, laboratory supervisors from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

    This list shows salaries for various types of laboratory supervisors.

    Type of Laboratory SupervisorDescriptionHourly rate
    Laboratory SupervisorMedical laboratory technologists (commonly known as medical laboratory scientists) and medical laboratory technicians collect samples and perform tests to analyze body fluids, tissue, and other substances.$22-46
    Medical Technologist, GeneralistA Medical Technologist Generalist performs day-to-day operations in the laboratory such as routine testing, quality control, and maintenance of instruments. They also develop, perform, and evaluate the accuracy of laboratory procedures.$20-37
    Histologic TechnicianA Histologic Technician prepares tissue specimens for routine and special procedures to confirm a patient diagnosis. They work in hospital laboratories, government agencies, public health departments, and other institutions.$15-36
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Clinical Laboratory
    • Patients
    • Chemistry
    • Patient Care
    • Lab Equipment
    • Test Results
    • CLIA
    • Customer Service
    • Proficiency Testing
    • Microbiology
    • Corrective Action
    • Hematology
    • OSHA
    • Performance Evaluations
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Manage personnel within the team, and provide guidance relating to laboratory EMR to performance improvement projects
    • Handle administrative and IRB tasks, manage fiscal matters, maintain record system of participant data.
    • Manage all static data, generate reports, run queries and support laboratories with technical knowledge and advice.
    • Manage pneumatic resistance rehabilitation lab.
    • Manage and maintain various automate laboratory equipment though GMP safe practices.
    • Assist with implementation of new procedures as laboratory works to achieving ISO certification.
    More laboratory supervisor duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your laboratory supervisor job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A laboratory supervisor can vary based on:

    • Location. For example, laboratory supervisors' average salary in alabama is 43% less than in california.
    • Seniority. Entry-level laboratory supervisors 51% less than senior-level laboratory supervisors.
    • Certifications. A laboratory supervisor with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a laboratory supervisor's salary.

    Average laboratory supervisor salary

    $67,361yearly

    $32.39 hourly rate

    Entry-level laboratory supervisor salary
    $47,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 22, 2025

    Average laboratory supervisor salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1California$98,177$47
    2Oregon$85,869$41
    3Nevada$83,458$40
    4Massachusetts$79,612$38
    5New York$75,747$36
    6Michigan$73,778$35
    7Utah$72,859$35
    8Maryland$72,824$35
    9Pennsylvania$72,654$35
    10Kentucky$67,633$33
    11Arizona$67,583$32
    12Maine$66,664$32
    13Washington$66,183$32
    14Colorado$64,803$31
    15North Carolina$64,694$31
    16Illinois$63,617$31
    17Virginia$62,926$30
    18Ohio$62,913$30
    19Tennessee$60,257$29
    20Texas$57,609$28

    Average laboratory supervisor salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Chevron$111,263$53.49
    2Edwards Lifesciences$109,410$52.60
    3Natera$104,585$50.2831
    4ICU Medical$102,894$49.47
    5Koch Industries$100,199$48.172
    6IDEXX$98,061$47.1446
    7Skyworks Solutions$97,659$46.95
    8Corning Incorporated$96,994$46.63
    9Mayo Clinic$93,216$44.82128
    10Medline$92,967$44.701
    11Tenet Healthcare$92,447$44.45174
    12BASF$92,418$44.43
    13The Home Depot$92,374$44.418
    14Abbott$91,771$44.1215
    15Stanford Health Care$91,514$44.0033
    16Nucor$88,974$42.78
    17University of California-Berkeley$88,612$42.60
    18Northwell Health$88,227$42.4230
    19MARSHFIELD COUNTRY CLUB$87,516$42.08
    20Sutter Health$87,233$41.9482
  4. Writing a laboratory supervisor job description

    A good laboratory supervisor job description should include a few things:

    • Summary of the role
    • List of responsibilities
    • Required skills and experience

    Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a laboratory supervisor job description:

    Laboratory supervisor job description example

    US-OR-Tualatin

    Type: Regular Full-Time
    Meridian Park Medical Ctr campus

    Overview

    You understand that a well-run laboratory is essential to providing the best possible services. That's why you use your problem-solving skills to ensure that everyone is working toward the same mission of making life better for others. You apply this goal whether you're supervising referral testing services, quality control or client interaction. At the same time, you enjoy sharing your skills as a medical technologist in a variety of capacities. You sound like the kind of person who might thrive within the Legacy community.



    Responsibilities

    Effective organization of staff and workload

    Ensures that adequate trained and experienced staff is available to perform specimen processing, referral, computer registration, review send-outs and report results. Ensures that each shift has appropriately trained lead technologists and support staff. Reviews the in-service training and work performance records of all staff as compiled by the QA/QC technologists.

    Leads periodic staff meetings and section meetings with the Operations Manager. Provides the Operations Manager with documentation and feedback for annual performance reviews and any disciplinary actions.

    Reviews monthly budget summaries with the operations manager and aids work on budget projections, etc.

    Resolves problems in a positive and effective manner inter- and intra-departmentally.

    Coordinates multiple tasks and priorities for all functions and areas of responsibility.

    Maintains staffing budget targets.

    Under the direction of the department manager, is responsible for:

    Training, coaching, performance appraisals and disciplinary process.

    Assisting in the hiring and firing process.

    Management-support tasks.

    Assists with payroll and budgetary processes.

    Quality planning and monitoring.

    Safety.

    Work schedules and vacation requests.

    Ordering supplies/equipment (as appropriate)

    Assisting with staff in-services and department meetings.

    Practices/procedures and equipment are maintained to keep department current and productive.

    LIS/Specimen Handling:

    Access the clinical and laboratory information systems to enter specimens into the system, follow specimens throughout the system, enter and report test results, provide information on patient demographics, look-up past results and employ any additional LIS functions required to perform the duties described in this document.

    Phlebotomy as appropriate:

    Perform venipuncture and capillary collections appropriate for the age of the patient in a professional manner and with minimum discomfort.

    Benchwork:

    Perform standard laboratory analyses accurately according to published procedures and turnaround times. Validate results, which include, but are not limited to, recognizing questionable results, investigating the cause(s) of questionable results, and taking appropriate action regarding release of test result to customer.

    Instrumentation and Operations:

    Operate standard laboratory instrumentation according to published operating procedures, perform maintenance on said equipment and make appropriate decisions regarding repairs. Arrange for alternative testing as described in the SOPM. May step in as key operator as situations require.

    Highly Complex Laboratory Analyses:

    Helps set standards and supervises pre-analytical processes. Reviews and verifies highly complex procedures requiring evaluation and judgment. Reviews and approves final test results of laboratory assistants.

    Test Interpretation:

    Communicate written and verbal information to customers regarding appropriate specimen collection, transport, and test methodology. Interpret test results. Handle client service issues at all levels appropriately, courteously and effectively with a customer focus.

    Administration:

    Perform administrative tasks such as ordering supplies and maintaining records, and/or training technical staff in writing laboratory procedures as assigned by the section manager.

    Each aspect of service provided: satisfying customers, leading and empowering people, continually improving/preventing errors, managing with data.

    Procedure Documentation:

    Write test procedures using approved NCCLS or Legacy Laboratory's formats, and update documentation manuals with test changes and annual reviews.

    Quality Control and Quality Assurance Monitoring:

    Monitors the quality control program for given lab section(s), review results, take corrective action when necessary, and report results regularly.

    Instrument Maintenance Monitoring:

    Monitors the maintenance program for instruments in given lab section. Ensures that preventative maintenance is done and records are complete. Serves as resource when instruments malfunction and helps resolve problems.

    CAP or other required Accreditation/Licensure/Certification Preparedness:

    Apply standards necessary for CAP or other required accreditation to assess readiness and develop an action plan to ensure preparedness. Implement the plan when approved.

    Competency Program Monitoring:

    Provide site coordination for competency testing program in specialty area. Monitor competency program and maintain department records. Follow up with staff as needed.

    Proficiency Testing Program Monitoring:

    Coordinate the proficiency testing program for specialty area, including CAP surveys. Investigate failures, suggest corrective action, and write exception reports when needed.

    Teaching & Training:

    Coordinate the training program for given lab section. Ensure that new staff and cross training staff receive adequate training. Training checklists are used and initial competencies are completed and correctly documented. Assist manager in organizing individual's training program.

    Demonstrates knowledge of Computer Downtime Procedure.

    Understands, for given job assignment, how to manage patient/specimen data when relevant clinical or business information systems, including the Laboratory Information System are unavailable for use.



    Qualifications

    Education :

    For individuals hired after December 1, 2014 a Bachelor's degree in medical technology, clinical laboratory, chemical, physical or biological science from an accredited institution is required. Minimum 3 additional years of laboratory training or experience, or both, in high complexity testing (as defined by CLIA'88).

    Skills :

    Must meet Testing Personnel qualifications for high complexity testing as defined per CLIA Regulations 493.1489 (see addendum for detail on CLIA Regulations, Sec. 493.1489). Keyboard skills and ability to navigate electronic systems applicable to job functions required. Interpersonal and communication skills required.

    LEGACY'S VALUES IN ACTION:

    Follows guidelines set forth in Legacy's Values in Action

    Equal Opportunity Employer/Vet/Disabled



    PI193908626

  5. Post your job

    There are various strategies that you can use to find the right laboratory supervisor for your business:

    • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your laboratory supervisor job on Zippia to find and attract quality laboratory supervisor candidates.
    • Use niche websites such as healthcarejobsite, health jobs nationwide, hospitalcareers, medreps.com.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    During your first interview to recruit laboratory supervisors, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

    You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new laboratory supervisor

    Once you've decided on a perfect laboratory supervisor candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

    It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new laboratory supervisor. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a laboratory supervisor?

Recruiting laboratory supervisors involves both the one-time costs of hiring and the ongoing costs of adding a new employee to your team. Your spending during the hiring process will mostly be on things like promoting the job on job boards, reviewing and interviewing candidates, and onboarding the new hire. Ongoing costs will obviously involve the employee's salary, but also may include things like benefits.

The median annual salary for laboratory supervisors is $67,361 in the US. However, the cost of laboratory supervisor hiring can vary a lot depending on location. Additionally, hiring a laboratory supervisor for contract work or on a per-project basis typically costs between $22 and $46 an hour.

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