Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
SOC code 11-9041 · O*NET-SOC 11-9041.01 · Considerable preparation needed
Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$171,270
a year
Hourly
$82.34
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$181,540
$87.28 per hour
Middle 50%
$139,360 – $212,500
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$120,810 – $262,760
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
220,260
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
These pay and employment figures are for the broader BLS group “Architectural and Engineering Managers”, not this job alone.
- 10th percentile
- $120,810
- $58.08/hr
- 25th percentile
- $139,360
- $67.00/hr
- Median percentile
- $171,270
- $82.34/hr
- 75th percentile
- $212,500
- $102.16/hr
- 90th percentile
- $262,760
- $126.33/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+4%
Growing faster than average
212,500
jobs in 2024
220,500
projected for 2034
About 8,000 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What do biofuels/biodiesel technology and product development managers do?
Define, plan, or execute biofuels/biodiesel research programs that evaluate alternative feedstock and process technologies with near-term commercial potential.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Design or conduct applied biodiesel or biofuels research projects on topics, such as transport, thermodynamics, mixing, filtration, distillation, fermentation, extraction, and separation.
- Analyze data from biofuels studies, such as fluid dynamics, water treatments, or solvent extraction and recovery processes.
- Prepare, or oversee the preparation of, experimental plans for biofuels research or development.
- Provide technical or scientific guidance to technical staff in the conduct of biofuels research or development.
- Propose new biofuels products, processes, technologies or applications based on findings from applied biofuels or biomass research projects.
- Conduct experiments on biomass or pretreatment technologies.
- Prepare biofuels research and development reports for senior management or technical professionals.
- Develop lab scale models of industrial scale processes, such as fermentation.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 55% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Bachelor's Degree55%
- Master's Degree29%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree6%
- Post-Secondary Certificate5%
Common questions
How much does a biofuels/biodiesel technology and product development managers earn?
The national median is $171,270 a year. The full range runs from $120,810 at the 10th percentile to $262,760 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a biofuels/biodiesel technology and product development managers without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Is biofuels/biodiesel technology and product development managers in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 4% between 2024 and 2034 — growing faster than average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension3.6/5
- Writing3.6/5
- Speaking3.6/5
- Critical Thinking3.6/5
- Active Listening3.5/5
- Active Learning3.3/5
Knowledge areas
- English Language4.1/5
- Chemistry4.0/5
- Engineering and Technology3.9/5
- Mathematics3.6/5
- Production and Processing3.4/5
- Computers and Electronics3.3/5
- Mechanical3.2/5
- Administration and Management3.1/5
Transferable strengths: Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Systems Analysis, Systems Evaluation.