Laboratory Manager Jobs in California

Laboratory Manager jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in biotechnology and pharmaceutical research, clinical diagnostics, environmental testing, and food and beverage quality assurance, with openings at every level from bench-lead to senior director. The heaviest hiring clusters around the San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, and Los Angeles, where anchor employers like Kaiser Permanente, Genentech, and Quest Diagnostics maintain large laboratory operations. The most in-demand specialties are clinical laboratory management, bioanalytical method development, and environmental compliance. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles30
Top employerSutter Health
Top cityLos Angeles, CA
Cities hiring23
Work type88% On-site
Top industryEducation

Showing 5 of 30+ Laboratory Manager jobs

Marketing Product Manager, Laboratory Diagnostics
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Added 4d ago
Marketing Product Manager, Laboratory Diagnostics
Antech Diagnostics
Fountain Valley, California
Program Management
Project Management
Technical Program Management
$99k - $124k/yr
Bachelor's degree in business administration
1,001-5,000

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Manager of Laboratory Facilities
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Added 6d ago
Manager of Laboratory Facilities
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, California
Specialized Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Manufacturing Operations
Project & Program Management
Engineering (Non-Software)
On-Site
Bachelor's

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Manager of Laboratory Facilities – Mechanical Engineering
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Added 6d ago
Manager of Laboratory Facilities – Mechanical Engineering
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, California
Account Management
Customer Service
Customer Success
$89k - $120k/yr
Bachelor's degree in engineering technology
1,001-5,000

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Research Laboratory Operation Manager
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Added 6d ago
Research Laboratory Operation Manager
UC San Diego Health
San Diego, California
Business Operations
Program Management
Project Management
$39.08 - $70.79/hr
Bachelor's degree
10,000+

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Laboratory Services Manager (24-Month Fixed-Term)
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Added 1w ago
Laboratory Services Manager (24-Month Fixed-Term)
Stanford University
Stanford, California
Business Development
Program Management
Project Management
Bachelor of Science
10,000+

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See All 30 Laboratory Manager Jobs in California

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Laboratory Manager Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Los Angeles
4 jobs
Stanford
2 jobs
Livermore
2 jobs
San Francisco
2 jobs
Fountain Valley
2 jobs
Tracy
1 job
Downey
1 job
Duarte
1 job
Orange
1 job

Laboratory Manager Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Sutter Health2 open roles
Twining2 open roles
Kaiser Permanente2 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Education

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in laboratory manager jobs across California.

  • California Laboratory Director licensure or Clinical Laboratory Scientist license where required by role
  • Bachelor's or master's degree in life sciences, chemistry, clinical laboratory science, or a related field
  • Demonstrated experience managing laboratory staff, budgets, and quality control programs
  • Proficiency with laboratory information management systems and regulatory compliance documentation
  • Familiarity with CAP, CLIA, ISO 17025, or FDA GLP and GMP standards as applicable to the setting
  • Strong record of leading cross-functional teams and maintaining laboratory accreditation requirements

Laboratory Manager Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a laboratory manager in California?

The path depends on the laboratory type. Clinical laboratory managers typically need a California Clinical Laboratory Scientist license issued by the California Department of Public Health, which requires an accredited bachelor's degree in clinical laboratory science or a related discipline and passing the state licensure examination. Non-clinical settings such as environmental, biotech, or industrial labs generally do not require a state license but do expect a relevant science degree and progressively responsible bench or supervisory experience.

How much do laboratory managers make in California?

Laboratory managers in California earn a median of about $210,230 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $130,730 for the lowest 10% to over $330,050 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire laboratory managers in California?

Employers hiring laboratory managers in California right now include Sutter Health, Twining, and Kaiser Permanente, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's density of biotech firms, hospital networks, and contract research organizations means demand is distributed across both large enterprise employers and specialized mid-size laboratories.

Which California cities have the most laboratory manager jobs?

Los Angeles, Stanford, and Livermore have the most laboratory manager openings in California. The Bay Area leads because of its concentration of biotech and pharmaceutical headquarters, San Diego draws heavily from its life sciences research corridor along Torrey Pines, and Los Angeles reflects demand from large hospital systems, environmental testing facilities, and food science operations tied to the region's manufacturing base.

Are there remote laboratory manager jobs in California?

Yes, but they're rare. Most laboratory manager roles require on-site presence to oversee staff, maintain equipment, and ensure compliance with safety and accreditation standards. About 13% of laboratory manager openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those positions tend to involve quality systems management, regulatory documentation, or program oversight rather than direct bench supervision.

How can I get hired as a laboratory manager in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is moving into a lead or senior scientist role first, then stepping into supervisory responsibilities within the same organization. Large California health systems like Kaiser Permanente and UC Health run laboratory scientist training programs and new-graduate residencies that build the clinical foundation needed to advance. In biotech, associate scientist and quality control analyst roles at San Diego and Bay Area firms often serve as the direct ladder into laboratory management.

Where can I find and apply to laboratory manager jobs in California?

You can find and apply to laboratory manager jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search for roles that match your specialty and experience level, then apply directly to the ones that fit.

See All 30 Laboratory Manager Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Laboratory Manager Jobs