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: Agricultural Research Director, Agriculture Research Director, Analytical Services Manager, Chemical Engineer Supervisor, Chemical Plant Technical Director, Chemical Process Exploration Manager
Median pay
$167,220
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$79,710 – $316,850
People employed
108,690
Holland code
IEC
Investigative · Enterprising · Conventional
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you prefer a steady pace without constant deadlines?
- 2.Do you want to lead or coordinate other people’s work?
- 3.Are you comfortable sitting at a desk most of the day?
Natural Sciences Managers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (47 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What natural sciences managers do
- 01Hire, supervise, or evaluate engineers, technicians, researchers, or other staff.
- 02Design or coordinate successive phases of problem analysis, solution proposals, or testing.
- 03Plan or direct research, development, or production activities.
- 04Provide for stewardship of plant or animal resources or habitats, studying land use, monitoring animal populations, or providing shelter, resources, or medical treatment for animals.
- 05Review project activities and prepare and review research, testing, or operational reports.
- 06Confer with scientists, engineers, regulators, or others to plan or review projects or to provide technical assistance.
Skills that matter most
- Science
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Writing
Knowledge
- Biology
- English Language
- Administration and Management
- Computers and Electronics
- Administrative
Work styles that stand out
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Cooperation
- Achievement Orientation
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a graduate degree (O*NET Job Zone 5).
- Related work experience: over 2 years, up to and including 4 years.
- On-the-job training: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from natural sciences managers
- Chief Sustainability Officers71% · group pay
- Computer and Information Systems Managers71% · +5%
- Investment Fund Managers68% · group pay
- Chief Executives67% · +28%
- Industrial-Organizational Psychologists66% · +16%
Change into natural sciences managers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Biologists80% · $98,920
- Molecular and Cellular Biologists76% · $98,920
- Environmental Restoration Planners71% · $82,220
- Quality Control Systems Managers71% · $126,060
- Animal Scientists70% · $68,940
Majors that lead here
- Engineering Physics/Applied Physics
- Operations Research
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General
- Biochemistry
- Biophysics
- Molecular Biology
- Molecular Biochemistry
- Molecular Biophysics
- Structural Biology
- Photobiology
- Radiation Biology/Radiobiology
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.