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Laboratory Manager Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

JOB SUMMARY Reporting to the Laboratory Director, the Microbiology Supervisor has technical ... Maintains records and manages all aspects of testing activities. * Reviews data for accuracy.

Director of Laboratory

Ottumwa, IA ยท On-site

$91.98 - $124.17/hr

The Director of Laboratory is responsible for the strategic and operational management of laboratory services, ensuring quality, compliance, and effective delivery of diagnostic support across the ...

Director of Laboratory

Ottumwa, IA ยท On-site

$91K - $124K/yr

The Director of Laboratory is responsible for the strategic and operational management of laboratory services, ensuring quality, compliance, and effective delivery of diagnostic support across the ...

Regional Laboratory Director

Des Moines, IA ยท On-site

$103K - $135K/yr

Oversee quality, performance, resource utilization, budget management, and regulatory compliance * Work collaboratively with system, medical, and operational leaders, the Regional * Laboratory ...

Regional Laboratory Director

Des Moines, IA

$103K - $135K/yr

Oversee quality, performance, resource utilization, budget management, and regulatorycompliance * Work collaboratively with system, medical, and operational leaders, the Regional * Laboratory ...

Regional Laboratory Director

Des Moines, IA ยท On-site

$103K - $135K/yr

Oversee quality, performance, resource utilization, budget management, and regulatorycompliance * Work collaboratively with system, medical, and operational leaders, the Regional * Laboratory ...

Showing results 21-40

Laboratory Manager information

See Iowa salary details

$30.5K

$86.4K

$139.9K

How much do laboratory manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for laboratory manager in Iowa is $86,375.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $65,700.00 and $104,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a laboratory manager do?

A Laboratory Manager oversees the daily operations of a laboratory, ensuring that all processes run smoothly and efficiently. Their responsibilities typically include supervising staff, managing budgets, maintaining equipment, ensuring safety protocols are followed, and ensuring compliance with regulations. They also coordinate experiments, analyze data, and act as a liaison between laboratory staff and upper management. Laboratory Managers play a critical role in maintaining the quality and accuracy of lab results while fostering a safe and productive work environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a laboratory manager?

To thrive as a Laboratory Manager, you need a solid background in laboratory sciences, experience in lab operations, and often a relevant degree such as in biology or chemistry. Familiarity with laboratory information management systems (LIMS), safety protocols, and sometimes certifications like CLIA or ASCP are typically required. Strong leadership, problem-solving, and organizational skills help you manage teams and ensure compliance with regulatory standards. These capabilities are critical for maintaining efficient, safe, and high-quality lab environments that support accurate scientific results.

What are some common challenges faced by laboratory managers in maintaining regulatory compliance?

Laboratory Managers often face challenges in keeping up with evolving regulatory standards, such as OSHA, CLIA, and CAP requirements. Ensuring all staff adhere to proper documentation, safety protocols, and quality control measures can be demanding, especially in busy labs with high sample volumes. Regular training, internal audits, and staying updated on industry changes are essential to minimize risks and maintain compliance. Proactive communication and collaboration with quality assurance teams also play a key role in addressing these challenges effectively.

What is the difference between Laboratory Manager vs Laboratory Supervisor?

AspectLaboratory ManagerLaboratory Supervisor
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's degree in a science or related field; often a master's or higher for advanced rolesUsually requires a bachelor's degree in a relevant science field; certifications may enhance prospects
Work EnvironmentOversees entire laboratory operations, manages staff, budgets, and complianceSupervises daily lab activities, ensures procedures are followed, and supports staff
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in research, clinical, and industrial labsFound in similar settings, often reporting to the Laboratory Manager

Laboratory Managers focus on overall lab operations, strategic planning, and compliance, while Laboratory Supervisors handle daily supervision and task management. Both roles require relevant science credentials and are essential for efficient lab functioning.

Is a laboratory manager a stressful job?

A laboratory manager role can be stressful due to responsibilities such as overseeing daily lab operations, ensuring safety compliance, managing staff, and meeting project deadlines. The level of stress varies depending on the size of the lab, workload, and organizational support, but strong organizational and communication skills help manage the pressure.

What is the average salary for a laboratory manager in the US?

The average salary for a laboratory manager in the US is approximately $70,000 to $90,000 per year, depending on experience, location, and industry. Salaries can vary based on the size of the laboratory, required certifications, and specific technical skills.

What are the most commonly searched types of Laboratory jobs in Iowa?

The most popular types of Laboratory jobs in Iowa are:

What are popular job titles related to Laboratory Manager jobs in Iowa?

For Laboratory Manager jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Iowa are hiring for Laboratory Manager jobs?

Cities in Iowa with the most Laboratory Manager job openings:

Infographic showing various Laboratory Manager job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 14% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $86,375 per year, or $41.5 per hour.

Laboratory Supervisor

Microbac

Waterloo, IA โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, PTO

Re-posted 29 days ago


Job description

Come join our family! If you are interested in truly making a difference in a collaborative and rewarding work setting with a culture of respect, accountability, appreciation, and loyalty, Microbac might be the right place for you!

We offer a positive working environment with engaged and supportive leadership teams along with competitive pay and benefits including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, generous paid time off including vacation, holidays and flextime, a wellness program, referral bonus, tuition reimbursement and more!

ABOUT MICROBAC

Microbac Laboratories, Inc. is a premier commercial laboratory testing firm that partners with clients nationwide, offering laboratory solutions to life science, food and nutrition, and environmental industries and serves our clients with the utmost expertise and respect for their market requirements, constraints, and challenges. We embody a company-wide commitment to exceptional customer experience, which has been refined by over 50 years of trusted, analytical and measurement experience.

As a privately held third-party testing company, Microbac operates with a commitment to our workforce, safety, quality, and compliance. Our diverse work portfolio includes broad accreditation offerings and tested insights across the environmental, food and nutrition and life science markets.

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the Laboratory Director, the Microbiology Supervisor has technical oversight and responsibility of all analytical data/reports generated by the laboratory, which includes raw data review as needed, review of final analytical reports and working with the Quality team to ensure that all analytical data is regulatory compliant and legally defensible. This position will also serve a lead role in developing and updating new test methods and SOPs, and works with both internal and external stakeholders, helping clients and staff understand testing requirements per regulatory standards for our Environmental Testing division.


Essential Functions:

  • Processing of samples across the various laboratories.
  • Overseeing a team of analysts and technicians throughout daily production to ensure customer expectations are being met.
  • Conduct routine training of all laboratory staff and maintaining training records.
  • Provides technical and scientific guidance to the laboratory and oversees the development and validation of new methods, all non-routine work/projects, data validation, and troubleshooting and solving challenging problems.
  • Ensures the laboratory is fully compliant with all regulatory, accreditation, certification and/or licensing requirements and that the data generated in the laboratory is reliable and of the highest quality.
  • Act as a technical resource for the laboratory.
  • Exercises day to day supervision of laboratory procedures and validation of results.
  • Maintains records and manages all aspects of testing activities.
  • Reviews data for accuracy. Responsible for final analytical data report review.
  • Monitoring standards of performance in QA and QC and monitoring the validity of the analyses performed and data generated in the laboratory to assure reliable data.
  • Uses technical knowledge to address staff and client needs; Works collaboratively with sales and project team members to ensure client needs are satisfied.
  • Defines minimum level of qualifications, experience, and skills necessary for positions within the assigned unit and works with laboratory leadership and staff to ensure adequate training, guidance and direction is provided, ensuring all staff have the demonstrated ability to perform assigned analyses.
  • Ensure proper documentation and staff training records are maintained.
  • Participate in research, acquisition, installation, and validation of new instruments.
  • Participate in process improvement and methods development.
  • Assists the Quality Assurance Officer with QA/QC audits, investigations, and corrective actions.
  • Working with our internal Project Managers, the Technical Director interprets technical results and communicates the capabilities of the laboratory to current and prospective clients.
  • Works collaboratively with QA and Laboratory Leadership to execute or address internal investigations, non-conformances, corrective actions, audit deviations or out of control analyses.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Minimum of 2 years of similar laboratory experience.
  • Technical knowledge of analytical techniques in the Environmental and/or Food testing fields.
  • Demonstrated leadership ability.
  • High level analytical problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent communication skills.
  • Ability to conduct analysis and read, interpret, and report technical data.
  • Ability to respond effectively (written and verbally) to sensitive or highly technical inquiries.
  • Ability to prioritize own and other’s time to meet the demands of the overall workload and client expectations.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands and working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Requirements:

  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools; talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and sit.
  • The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include color vision and depth perception.

Working Conditions:

  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be in a general office environment.
  • The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
  • This job may require travel less than 20%

As a privately held third-party testing company, Microbac operates with a commitment to safety, quality, and compliance. Our diverse work portfolio includes broad accreditation offerings and tested insights across the environmental, food and life science markets.

OTHER:

This job description is not an exhaustive list of all duties an employee may be required to perform. Microbac reserves the right to revise the job description at any time.

Employment is at-will. Microbac, promotes a drug-free, alcohol-free workplace. Applicants considered for hire must pass a drug test before beginning work. Refusal to submit to testing will result in disqualification of further employment consideration.

Microbac is an Equal Opportunity Employer – We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.