Natural Sciences Managers
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.
Also called: Analytical Services Manager · Chemical Engineer Supervisor · Chemical Process Exploration Manager · Environmental Program Manager · Lab Manager (Laboratory Manager) · Natural Sciences Manager
Median pay (national)
$161,180
$79,830–$239,200+ (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
100,870
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+3.7%
~8,500 openings/yr
Typical entry
Bachelor's degree
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for natural sciences managers shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $239,200+ versus $79,830 at the bottom 10% — 3.0x. The median of $161,180 leaves roughly 48% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +3.7% from 2024 to 2034 — about as fast as the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 8,500 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 50 states with released data, Massachusetts pays the most for this role (median $218,800, +36% vs the national median), while Indiana sits lowest at $88,610 — a 147% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Science, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft PowerPoint as in-demand technologies for this role.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Science
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Writing
- Speaking
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
- Mathematics
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- 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.
- 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.
- Prepare project proposals.
- Develop or implement policies, standards, or procedures for the architectural, scientific, or technical work performed to ensure regulatory compliance or operations enhancement.
- Prepare and administer budgets, approve and review expenditures, and prepare financial reports.
Tools & technology
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Adobe Photoshop
- ESRI ArcGIS software
- IBM SPSS Statistics
- Microsoft Visio
- Oracle Database
- R
- SAP software
- SAS
- Structured query language SQL
- The MathWorks MATLAB
- Clinical trial management software
- Graphics software
- IBM Lotus 1-2-3
Knowledge areas
- Biology
- English Language
- Administration and Management
- Computers and Electronics
- Administrative
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Personnel and Human Resources