Microbiology laboratory manager vs laboratory director

The differences between microbiology laboratory managers and laboratory directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a microbiology laboratory manager, becoming a laboratory director takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a microbiology laboratory manager has an average salary of $94,179, which is higher than the $92,971 average annual salary of a laboratory director.

The top three skills for a microbiology laboratory manager include QC, FDA and microbiology lab. The most important skills for a laboratory director are clinical laboratory, patients, and patient care.

Microbiology laboratory manager vs laboratory director overview

	Microbiology Laboratory Manager	Laboratory Director
Yearly salary	$94,179	$92,971
Hourly rate	$45.28	$44.70
Growth rate	6%	28%
Number of jobs	39,255	59,500
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 69%	Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age	44	47
Years of experience	4	6

What does a microbiology laboratory manager do?

A Microbiology Laboratory Manager is a leader who is in charge of the overall operations of a facility. Microbiology laboratory managers focus on the consistent implementation of the facility's procedures, business practices, and policies for employees. The manager's train lab assistants in facility procedures are complete regulatory reports. They coordinate with the microbiologists in checking or reviewing data to ensure timely data closeout and reporting. This job's necessary skills include people management, technical analysis, operations management, quality control/assurance, and project management.

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.

Microbiology laboratory manager vs laboratory director salary

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

	Microbiology Laboratory Manager	Laboratory Director
Average salary	$94,179	$92,971
Salary range	Between $65,000 And $135,000	Between $55,000 And $156,000
Highest paying City	Buckeye, AZ	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	Arizona	Delaware
Best paying company	Abbott	Reed Smith
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Media

Differences between microbiology laboratory manager and laboratory director education

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

	Microbiology Laboratory Manager	Laboratory Director
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 69%	Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common major	Biology	Biology
Most common college	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	University of Pennsylvania

Microbiology laboratory manager vs laboratory director demographics

Here are the differences between microbiology laboratory managers' and laboratory directors' demographics:

	Microbiology Laboratory Manager	Laboratory Director
Average age	44	47
Gender ratio	Male, 45.3% Female, 54.7%	Male, 55.9% Female, 44.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 2.6% Unknown, 7.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 10.2% White, 63.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	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	9%	12%

Differences between microbiology laboratory manager and laboratory director duties and responsibilities

Microbiology laboratory manager example responsibilities.

Set up forensic DNA laboratory, train laboratory technicians in advance molecular techniques, and manage day-to-day activities of forensic DNA laboratory
Assist with client and regulatory quality GMP audits.
Purchase and implement new non-viable particle counters to support ISO certification.
Perform GMP audits of suppliers, ensuring that they meet internal expectations for quality.
Determine triglycerides in vegetable oil and polyphenols in olive oil by (HPLC).
Create purchase orders and place orders with vendors for all production aspects of the microbiological and chemistry operations.

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.

Microbiology laboratory manager vs laboratory director skills

Common microbiology laboratory manager skills

QC, 7%
FDA, 6%
Microbiology Lab, 5%
Environmental Monitoring, 5%
Laboratory Operations, 5%
Test Methods, 5%

Common laboratory director skills

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

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Microbiology Laboratory Manager
Microbiology Laboratory Manager vs Laboratory Director

Updated January 8, 2025

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