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The differences between research laboratory managers and laboratory managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a research laboratory manager, becoming a laboratory manager takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a laboratory manager has an average salary of $74,314, which is higher than the $64,333 average annual salary of a research laboratory manager.
The top three skills for a research laboratory manager include lab equipment, research projects and lab safety. The most important skills for a laboratory manager are lab equipment, patients, and customer service.
| Research Laboratory Manager | Laboratory Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $64,333 | $74,314 |
| Hourly rate | $30.93 | $35.73 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 89,981 | 43,321 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 41 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
Research laboratory managers are management professionals who are responsible for ensuring the smooth operation of laboratories by implementing safety lab procedures. These managers are required to coordinate the repair and maintenance of lab equipment while training lab technicians and assistants on the correct use of equipment. They must perform experimental studies and analyze the research data collected for research projects. Research laboratory managers must also manage the inventory of laboratory equipment while coordinating the purchase of lab supplies.
Laboratory managers provide accurate laboratory diagnosis through evaluating specimen procedures and coordinating with pathologists to validate laboratory findings. They are responsible for maintaining laboratory tools and equipment, ensuring the proper sterilization of instruments before and after use, organizing equipment based on its function, and immediately repairing or replacing defective items. A laboratory manager also secures the confidentiality of laboratory systems, keeping records of results, and releasing information to the appropriate personnel. Laboratory managers must have a broad knowledge of the scientific industry, as well as excellent analytical and critical-thinking skills.
Research laboratory managers and laboratory managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Research Laboratory Manager | Laboratory Manager | |
| Average salary | $64,333 | $74,314 |
| Salary range | Between $45,000 And $91,000 | Between $49,000 And $111,000 |
| Highest paying City | Baltimore, MD | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Meta | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a research laboratory manager and a laboratory manager in terms of educational background:
| Research Laboratory Manager | Laboratory Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | Duke University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between research laboratory managers' and laboratory managers' demographics:
| Research Laboratory Manager | Laboratory Manager | |
| Average age | 41 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 45.2% Female, 54.8% | Male, 58.4% Female, 41.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.7% Asian, 26.3% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.9% Asian, 9.0% White, 70.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |