Microbiology laboratory manager vs laboratory supervisor

The differences between microbiology laboratory managers and laboratory supervisors 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 supervisor takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a microbiology laboratory manager has an average salary of $94,179, which is higher than the $67,361 average annual salary of a laboratory supervisor.

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

Microbiology laboratory manager vs laboratory supervisor overview

	Microbiology Laboratory Manager	Laboratory Supervisor
Yearly salary	$94,179	$67,361
Hourly rate	$45.28	$32.39
Growth rate	6%	3%
Number of jobs	39,255	49,957
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 69%	Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	4	12

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 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.

Microbiology laboratory manager vs laboratory supervisor salary

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

	Microbiology Laboratory Manager	Laboratory Supervisor
Average salary	$94,179	$67,361
Salary range	Between $65,000 And $135,000	Between $47,000 And $96,000
Highest paying City	Buckeye, AZ	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	Arizona	California
Best paying company	Abbott	Chevron
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Health Care

Differences between microbiology laboratory manager and laboratory supervisor education

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

	Microbiology Laboratory Manager	Laboratory Supervisor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 69%	Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common major	Biology	Biology
Most common college	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	Northwestern University

Microbiology laboratory manager vs laboratory supervisor demographics

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

	Microbiology Laboratory Manager	Laboratory Supervisor
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 45.3% Female, 54.7%	Male, 52.7% Female, 47.3%
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, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 12.0% White, 53.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	9%	8%

Differences between microbiology laboratory manager and laboratory supervisor 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 supervisor example 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.

Microbiology laboratory manager vs laboratory supervisor skills

Common microbiology laboratory manager skills

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

Common laboratory supervisor skills

Clinical Laboratory, 11%
Patients, 10%
Chemistry, 6%
Patient Care, 5%
Lab Equipment, 5%
Test Results, 5%

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Microbiology Laboratory Manager
Microbiology Laboratory Manager vs Laboratory Supervisor

Updated January 8, 2025

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