Validation manager vs laboratory manager

The differences between validation managers and laboratory managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a validation manager and a laboratory manager. Additionally, a validation manager has an average salary of $127,882, which is higher than the $74,314 average annual salary of a laboratory manager.

The top three skills for a validation manager include project management, QC and FDA. The most important skills for a laboratory manager are lab equipment, patients, and customer service.

Validation manager vs laboratory manager overview

	Validation Manager	Laboratory Manager
Yearly salary	$127,882	$74,314
Hourly rate	$61.48	$35.73
Growth rate	3%	3%
Number of jobs	14,200	43,321
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 71%	Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	6	6

What does a validation manager do?

A Validation Manager oversees and validates manufacturing plants' daily operations, ensuring compliance with standards and regulations. They often inspect information technology systems and machinery, review specifications and documentation, gather and analyze feedback, and observe various areas' maintenance procedures. It is also their responsibility to manage validation teams, supervising them while implementing policies and regulations. Moreover, a Validation Manager develops validation plans for various facilities and produces detailed reports, along with recommendations and conclusions.

What does a laboratory manager do?

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.

Validation manager vs laboratory manager salary

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

	Validation Manager	Laboratory Manager
Average salary	$127,882	$74,314
Salary range	Between $99,000 And $163,000	Between $49,000 And $111,000
Highest paying City	Boston, MA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	Massachusetts	Hawaii
Best paying company	Meta	Meta
Best paying industry	Pharmaceutical	Pharmaceutical

Differences between validation manager and laboratory manager education

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

	Validation Manager	Laboratory Manager
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 71%	Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common major	Business	Biology
Most common college	Stanford University	Stanford University

Validation manager vs laboratory manager demographics

Here are the differences between validation managers' and laboratory managers' demographics:

	Validation Manager	Laboratory Manager
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 78.5% Female, 21.5%	Male, 58.4% Female, 41.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.9% Asian, 9.0% White, 69.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	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%

Differences between validation manager and laboratory manager duties and responsibilities

Validation manager example responsibilities.

Manage the CSV project that validate 76 within 17 months saving $1.0 MM out of $8.8MM.
Implement a regression process, and manage the execution of the regression testing.
Manage an SSD validation team responsible for testing and debugging the next generation PCIe SSD's.
Manage QA disposition and review of commercial stability material and conduct investigations on out-of-specification/anomalous results.
Coordinate site training requirements, deliver GMP and technical specific training, create and manage associated metrics.
Perform computer and control system validation for QC analytical instrumentation and manufacturing process systems.

Laboratory manager example responsibilities.

Lead laboratory investigations, OOS, deviations, change controls and CAPA.
Manage daily personnel challenges, assist with marketing and maintain appropriate standards and regulations per JCAHO, DNV.
Manage staff and oversee FDA guidelines and regulations for pharmaceutical research
Initiate and manage successful in-house design and implementation of network base LIMS database.
Manage curriculum development, authore and publish lab manuals in physiology and ecology.
Manage daily laboratory operations including personnel, client consulting, analyses and adherence to GLP protocols.

Validation manager vs laboratory manager skills

Common validation manager skills

Project Management, 7%
QC, 6%
FDA, 6%
Cleaning Validation, 5%
Regression, 5%
Regulatory Agencies, 4%

Common laboratory manager skills

Lab Equipment, 12%
Patients, 9%
Customer Service, 7%
Chemistry, 6%
Clinical Laboratory, 5%
Lab Safety, 5%

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Validation Manager
Validation Manager vs Laboratory Manager

Updated January 8, 2025

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