Natural Sciences Managers
SOC code 11-9121 · O*NET-SOC 11-9121.00 · Extensive preparation needed
Natural Sciences Managers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$167,220
a year
Hourly
$80.39
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$180,250
$86.66 per hour
Middle 50%
$119,430 – $221,540
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$79,710 – $316,850
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
108,690
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $79,710
- $38.32/hr
- 25th percentile
- $119,430
- $57.42/hr
- Median percentile
- $167,220
- $80.39/hr
- 75th percentile
- $221,540
- $106.51/hr
- 90th percentile
- $316,850
- $152.33/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+4%
Growing faster than average
104,300
jobs in 2024
108,200
projected for 2034
About 3,900 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What does a natural sciences manager do?
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Hire, supervise, or evaluate engineers, technicians, researchers, or other staff.
- Design or coordinate successive phases of problem analysis, solution proposals, or testing.
- Plan or direct research, development, or production activities.
- Provide for stewardship of plant or animal resources or habitats, studying land use, monitoring animal populations, or providing shelter, resources, or medical treatment for animals.
- Review project activities and prepare and review research, testing, or operational reports.
- Confer with scientists, engineers, regulators, or others to plan or review projects or to provide technical assistance.
- Develop client relationships and communicate with clients to explain proposals, present research findings, establish specifications, or discuss project status.
- Determine scientific or technical goals within broad outlines provided by top management and make detailed plans to accomplish these goals.
How to become a natural sciences manager
Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 35% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 5 — Extensive preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Bachelor's Degree35%
- Post-Doctoral Training27%
- Master's Degree15%
- Doctoral Degree14%
Common questions
How much does a natural sciences manager earn?
The national median is $167,220 a year. The full range runs from $79,710 at the 10th percentile to $316,850 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 natural sciences manager without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 5, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree). The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Is natural sciences manager 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
- Science4.1/5
- Reading Comprehension4.0/5
- Active Listening4.0/5
- Critical Thinking4.0/5
- Monitoring4.0/5
- Writing3.9/5
- Speaking3.9/5
Knowledge areas
- Biology4.0/5
- English Language4.0/5
- Administration and Management3.8/5
- Computers and Electronics3.7/5
- Administrative3.6/5
- Chemistry3.5/5
- Mathematics3.5/5
- Personnel and Human Resources3.3/5
Transferable strengths: Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Management of Personnel Resources.