Laboratory Supervisor Jobs in California
Laboratory Supervisor jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in biotechnology, clinical diagnostics, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and environmental testing across a workforce that ranges from bench-level leads to senior lab directors. The largest hiring metros are the San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, and Los Angeles, where employers like Quest Diagnostics, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Kaiser Permanente maintain deep and ongoing staffing needs. The most in-demand specialties are clinical laboratory science, quality control oversight, and bioanalytical testing. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Laboratory Supervisor JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 30+ Laboratory Supervisor jobs
Job Objective:
Under the direction of the Laboratory Assistant Director, the Laboratory Director and the Laboratory Medical Director, the Laboratory Supervisor is responsible for all areas of assigned departments. Duties include technical support of assigned area, personnel functions such as interviewing, evaluations, competency, counseling and disciplinary actions, and orientation and training of new employees. In addition, the Laboratory Supervisor assumes responsibility for the laboratory in the absence of the Director and the Assistant Director.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- General
- Fulfills all essential duty requirements of a Clinical Laboratory Scientist as needed
- Technical
- Evaluates Quality Control data and takes appropriate action to maintain accuracy and precision
- Provides technical support for Phlebotomists, Technicians and Clinical Laboratory Scientists
- Coordinates/provides technical training/orientation for Medical Laboratory Technicians, Department Technicians and Clinical Laboratory Scientists as needed
- Coordinates and assures compliance with competency testing as related to department responsibilities
- Non-technical - Administrative
- Performs personnel functions including interviewing, counseling, evaluations, and disciplinary actions.
- Communicates with laboratory staff, nursing staff, and physicians concerning any deviations regarding testing and reporting of results
- Takes sick calls and assists in replacement of staff when necessary
- Attends required meetings as instructed by the Laboratory Director
Non-Essential Duties:
- Transports specimens and supplies between the main hospital lab and satellite locations
- Adds support to other Laboratory staff as needed during high volume, emergency, or short staffed situations
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge
- Knowledge of how lab results apply and affect the care and treatment of patients
- Knowledge of specimen and testing requirements
- Knowledge of safe handling of biological specimens
- Knowledge to recognize deviations from normal standards
- Knowledge of departmental and hospital policies and procedures that support the provision of service
- Demonstrated knowledge regarding special needs and behaviors of age specific groups and proficiency in required area
Skills
- Skill needed for accuracy and precision in testing
- Strong analytical and problem solving skills
- Skills in effective oral and written communication
Abilities
- Ability to learn requirements of operation for different types of instrumentation
- Ability to recognize instrument malfunction and take appropriate action
- Ability to operate Hospital and Laboratory information systems
- Ability to exhibit courteous, helpful and professional behavior in dealing with patients, public and peers
- Ability to effectively supervise and develop subordinates.
Core Competencies: All AVH employees will effectively demonstrate these behaviors:
Accountability
Action Oriented
Customer Focused
Compassion
Effective Communication
Teamwork
Ethics & Values
Integrity & Trust
Management Competencies: All AVH management (Supervisor, Manager, and Assistant Director) will effectively demonstrate these behaviors:
Conflict Management
Problem Solving
Timely Decision Making
Process Management
Fairness to Direct Reports
Hiring & Staffing
Developing Direct Reports
Education and Experience:
Education
- Bachelor's degree that will satisfy the requirements for a Clinical Laboratory Scientist license issued by the State of California Department of Public Health
Experience
- Minimum of three years of general clinical laboratory experience is required
- Some supervisory experience is preferred
- Minimum of one year experience at an acute care hospital is desirable
Required Licensure and/or Certifications:
- Possession of a current Clinical Laboratory Scientist license issued by the State of California Department of Public Health
AVH Conduct/Compliance Expectations:
- Ability to adhere with AVH Leaves of Absence Policy
- Ability to adhere with AVH Paid Time Off (PTO) Policy
- Ability to adhere with AVH Recording of Hours Worked Policy
- Ability to adhere to the department dress code
- Ability to organize work and establish priorities
- Ability to expand on own initiative in performance of duties
- Skill and ability to follow the telephone etiquette/standards
- Conforms to AVH Standards of Excellence
- Ability to function effectively under pressure and meet time parameters
- Ability to communicate effectively while maintaining good working relationships with co-workers, managers and other hospital staff
- Ability to adhere to the normal standards of courtesy and conduct as defined under the rules of hospitality at AVH
- Ability to maintain the confidentiality of patient, hospital and department information
- Ability to adhere to safety rules and regulations
- Safely and effectively uses all equipment necessary to carry out duties
- Ability to interpret and function under hospital and department policies and procedures
- Conforms with required and appropriate Joint Commission requirements
- Conforms with and supports hospital quality assurance and improvement guidelines
- Ability to participate effectively in department and hospital staff education
- Display a willingness to work as a team player
- Ability to give and support the highest level of patient/customer satisfaction at all times
- Supports and adheres to the values and mission statement established by the AVH Board of Directors
Ability to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Corporate Compliance rules and regulations, complies with duty to report behavior standard, demonstrates understanding of purpose for Corporate Compliance hotline and importance of seeking guidance from a supervisor when in doubt regarding a possible corporate compliance issue
Physical Requirements:
- Able to perform duties in a normal hospital clinical laboratory environment
- Job requires handling of biological specimens
A detailed description of the physical requirements of this job is maintained in the Employee Health Department.
NOTE: THE ABOVE STATEMENTS ARE INTENDED TO DESCRIBE THE GENERAL NATURE AND LEVEL OF WORK PERFORMED BY PEOPLE ASSIGNED TO THIS JOB. THIS DOCUMENT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF ALL RESPONSIBILITIES, SKILLS, AND WORKING CONDITIONS FOR THE PERSONNEL SO CLASSIFIED.
Education:
- Bachelor's degree that will satisfy the requirements for a Clinical Laboratory Scientist license issued by the State of California Department of Public Health
Required Licensure and/or Certifications:
- Possession of a current Clinical Laboratory Scientist license issued by the State of California Department of Public Health
The position is 5 days per week.
Job Objective:
Under the direction of the Laboratory Assistant Director, the Laboratory Director and the Laboratory Medical Director, the Laboratory Supervisor is responsible for all areas of assigned departments. Duties include technical support of assigned area, personnel functions such as interviewing, evaluations, competency, counseling and disciplinary actions, and orientation and training of new employees. In addition, the Laboratory Supervisor assumes responsibility for the laboratory in the absence of the Director and the Assistant Director.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- General
- Fulfills all essential duty requirements of a Clinical Laboratory Scientist as needed
- Technical
- Evaluates Quality Control data and takes appropriate action to maintain accuracy and precision
- Provides technical support for Phlebotomists, Technicians and Clinical Laboratory Scientists
- Coordinates/provides technical training/orientation for Medical Laboratory Technicians, Department Technicians and Clinical Laboratory Scientists as needed
- Coordinates and assures compliance with competency testing as related to department responsibilities
- Non-technical - Administrative
- Performs personnel functions including interviewing, counseling, evaluations, and disciplinary actions.
- Communicates with laboratory staff, nursing staff, and physicians concerning any deviations regarding testing and reporting of results
- Takes sick calls and assists in replacement of staff when necessary
- Attends required meetings as instructed by the Laboratory Director
Non-Essential Duties:
- Transports specimens and supplies between the main hospital lab and satellite locations
- Adds support to other Laboratory staff as needed during high volume, emergency, or short staffed situations
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge
- Knowledge of how lab results apply and affect the care and treatment of patients
- Knowledge of specimen and testing requirements
- Knowledge of safe handling of biological specimens
- Knowledge to recognize deviations from normal standards
- Knowledge of departmental and hospital policies and procedures that support the provision of service
- Demonstrated knowledge regarding special needs and behaviors of age specific groups and proficiency in required area
Skills
- Skill needed for accuracy and precision in testing
- Strong analytical and problem solving skills
- Skills in effective oral and written communication
Abilities
- Ability to learn requirements of operation for different types of instrumentation
- Ability to recognize instrument malfunction and take appropriate action
- Ability to operate Hospital and Laboratory information systems
- Ability to exhibit courteous, helpful and professional behavior in dealing with patients, public and peers
- Ability to effectively supervise and develop subordinates.
Core Competencies: All AVH employees will effectively demonstrate these behaviors:
Accountability
Action Oriented
Customer Focused
Compassion
Effective Communication
Teamwork
Ethics & Values
Integrity & Trust
Management Competencies: All AVH management (Supervisor, Manager, and Assistant Director) will effectively demonstrate these behaviors:
Conflict Management
Problem Solving
Timely Decision Making
Process Management
Fairness to Direct Reports
Hiring & Staffing
Developing Direct Reports
Education and Experience:
Education
- Bachelor's degree that will satisfy the requirements for a Clinical Laboratory Scientist license issued by the State of California Department of Public Health
Experience
- Minimum of three years of general clinical laboratory experience is required
- Some supervisory experience is preferred
- Minimum of one year experience at an acute care hospital is desirable
Required Licensure and/or Certifications:
- Possession of a current Clinical Laboratory Scientist license issued by the State of California Department of Public Health
AVH Conduct/Compliance Expectations:
- Ability to adhere with AVH Leaves of Absence Policy
- Ability to adhere with AVH Paid Time Off (PTO) Policy
- Ability to adhere with AVH Recording of Hours Worked Policy
- Ability to adhere to the department dress code
- Ability to organize work and establish priorities
- Ability to expand on own initiative in performance of duties
- Skill and ability to follow the telephone etiquette/standards
- Conforms to AVH Standards of Excellence
- Ability to function effectively under pressure and meet time parameters
- Ability to communicate effectively while maintaining good working relationships with co-workers, managers and other hospital staff
- Ability to adhere to the normal standards of courtesy and conduct as defined under the rules of hospitality at AVH
- Ability to maintain the confidentiality of patient, hospital and department information
- Ability to adhere to safety rules and regulations
- Safely and effectively uses all equipment necessary to carry out duties
- Ability to interpret and function under hospital and department policies and procedures
- Conforms with required and appropriate Joint Commission requirements
- Conforms with and supports hospital quality assurance and improvement guidelines
- Ability to participate effectively in department and hospital staff education
- Display a willingness to work as a team player
- Ability to give and support the highest level of patient/customer satisfaction at all times
- Supports and adheres to the values and mission statement established by the AVH Board of Directors
Ability to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Corporate Compliance rules and regulations, complies with duty to report behavior standard, demonstrates understanding of purpose for Corporate Compliance hotline and importance of seeking guidance from a supervisor when in doubt regarding a possible corporate compliance issue
Physical Requirements:
- Able to perform duties in a normal hospital clinical laboratory environment
- Job requires handling of biological specimens
A detailed description of the physical requirements of this job is maintained in the Employee Health Department.
NOTE: THE ABOVE STATEMENTS ARE INTENDED TO DESCRIBE THE GENERAL NATURE AND LEVEL OF WORK PERFORMED BY PEOPLE ASSIGNED TO THIS JOB. THIS DOCUMENT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF ALL RESPONSIBILITIES, SKILLS, AND WORKING CONDITIONS FOR THE PERSONNEL SO CLASSIFIED.
Education:
- Bachelor's degree that will satisfy the requirements for a Clinical Laboratory Scientist license issued by the State of California Department of Public Health
Required Licensure and/or Certifications:
- Possession of a current Clinical Laboratory Scientist license issued by the State of California Department of Public Health
The position is 5 days per week.
See All 30 Laboratory Supervisor Jobs in California
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Find Laboratory Supervisor JobsLaboratory Supervisor Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Laboratory Supervisor Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in laboratory supervisor jobs across California.
- California Clinical Laboratory Scientist license issued by the California Department of Public Health required for clinical roles
- Bachelor's degree in medical laboratory science, biology, chemistry, or a closely related field
- Minimum two years of bench laboratory experience in the relevant discipline
- Demonstrated supervisory or lead experience overseeing laboratory staff and daily operations
- Proficiency with laboratory information systems and quality management documentation
- Knowledge of CAP, CLIA, and California Title 17 regulatory compliance standards
Laboratory Supervisor Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a laboratory supervisor in California?
The most direct path in California is earning a California Clinical Laboratory Scientist license through the California Department of Public Health, which requires a bachelor's degree in a life science or medical laboratory science field, completion of an accredited training program, and passing the CLS licensure exam. Supervisory roles in clinical settings typically require this credential plus documented bench experience. For non-clinical laboratory environments such as environmental or industrial labs, the licensing requirement does not apply, but a relevant science degree and field experience remain standard.
How much do laboratory supervisors make in California?
Laboratory supervisors 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 supervisors in California?
Employers hiring laboratory supervisors in California right now include CommonSpirit Health, Abbott, and NeoGenomics, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's concentration of biotech firms, hospital networks, and contract research organizations means demand is spread across both large anchor institutions and mid-sized specialty laboratories.
Which California cities have the most laboratory supervisor jobs?
San Diego, Los Angeles, and Downey have the most laboratory supervisor openings in California. The Bay Area leads due to its dense cluster of biotechnology headquarters and research institutions, San Diego draws heavily from pharmaceutical and genomics companies, and Los Angeles reflects demand from large hospital systems and public health labs spread throughout Southern California.
Are there remote laboratory supervisor jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Laboratory supervisor work is inherently hands-on, requiring on-site oversight of staff, equipment, and specimens. About 0% of laboratory supervisor openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and most of those involve administrative functions such as quality assurance review, regulatory documentation, or training coordination rather than direct bench management.
How can I get hired as a laboratory supervisor in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is securing a staff-level laboratory scientist position first, then progressing internally into a lead or supervisor role. Large California hospital systems such as Kaiser Permanente and academic medical centers affiliated with the University of California campuses regularly run new-graduate CLS training programs. Moving laterally from roles like laboratory technician, quality control analyst, or research associate builds the supervisory case. Holding an active California CLS license significantly strengthens a candidate's standing even at the entry level.
Where can I find and apply to laboratory supervisor jobs in California?
You can find and apply to laboratory supervisor jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings. Find roles that fit your experience and specialty, then apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 30 Laboratory Supervisor Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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