How much does a natural sciences manager make?
The median natural sciences manager in the United States earns $161,180 per year, about $77.49 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all natural sciences managers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 11-9121.
Natural sciences manager salary range
Pay for natural sciences managers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $79,830 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $239,200+. The average (mean) wage of $173,500 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $79,830 | $38.38 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $114,110 | $54.86 | |
| Median (50th) | $161,180 | $77.49 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $214,820 | $103.28 | |
| 90th percentile | $239,200+ | $115.00+ | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for natural sciences managers (SOC 11-9121), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Natural sciences manager salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Natural sciences managers earn the most in Massachusetts at $218,800 a year, and the least in Indiana at $88,610. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $218,800 | 8,880 |
| California | $204,100 | 14,120 |
| New Jersey | $202,310 | 9,010 |
| Connecticut | $179,170 | 840 |
| Washington | $178,270 | 3,070 |
| North Carolina | $167,430 | 6,750 |
| District of Columbia | $164,650 | 1,650 |
| Maryland | $162,610 | 5,020 |
| Illinois | $158,690 | 3,100 |
| Kansas | $158,100 | 280 |
| Missouri | $143,730 | 930 |
| Colorado | $143,150 | 1,480 |
| South Carolina | $143,150 | 680 |
| Rhode Island | $141,380 | 150 |
| Tennessee | $140,430 | N/A |
| Virginia | $139,220 | 1,440 |
| Oregon | $136,840 | 1,440 |
| Pennsylvania | $136,700 | 6,730 |
| New Hampshire | $136,200 | 320 |
| Ohio | $135,990 | 910 |
| Maine | $135,900 | 430 |
| Michigan | $135,180 | 1,700 |
| Arkansas | $134,430 | 320 |
| West Virginia | $134,410 | 170 |
| North Dakota | $133,540 | 120 |
| Kentucky | $131,780 | 400 |
| Minnesota | $131,410 | 1,470 |
| New York | $131,180 | 4,580 |
| Texas | $130,140 | 7,480 |
| Alaska | $128,480 | 640 |
| Alabama | $127,210 | 280 |
| Arizona | $126,320 | 770 |
| Wisconsin | $125,050 | 1,090 |
| Idaho | $120,640 | 520 |
| South Dakota | $120,310 | 130 |
| New Mexico | $118,600 | 410 |
| Utah | $117,190 | 1,150 |
| Montana | $117,140 | 380 |
| Georgia | $116,560 | 1,610 |
| Mississippi | $113,730 | 190 |
| Nebraska | $113,730 | 460 |
| Wyoming | $109,600 | 160 |
| Hawaii | $106,580 | 570 |
| Nevada | $103,500 | 350 |
| Iowa | $102,880 | N/A |
| Oklahoma | $100,990 | 320 |
| Florida | $100,640 | 4,330 |
| Indiana | $88,610 | 1,360 |
State median wages for natural sciences managers (SOC 11-9121), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for natural sciences managers
The BLS projects employment of natural sciences managers to grow 8.2% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 112,200 jobs in 2025 moving toward 121,500 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 9,200 openings a year for natural sciences managers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a natural sciences manager
The typical entry-level education for natural sciences managers is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS. Most roles also expect 5 years or more of work experience in a related occupation.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a natural sciences manager earns
Company size, industry, and metro area drive most of the pay gap. Executives and managers at large firms in major markets sit near the top of the range, while smaller organizations and rural areas pay lower.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Massachusetts, $218,800) and the lowest (Indiana, $88,610) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 100,870 people work as natural sciences managers in the United States. At $161,180 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Natural sciences manager salary FAQ
How much does a natural sciences manager make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a natural sciences manager is $77.49. The middle half of natural sciences managers earn between $54.86 and $103.28 per hour.
What is the highest natural sciences manager salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of natural sciences managers earn more than $239,200+ per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a natural sciences manager make a year?
The median annual salary for a natural sciences manager is $161,180. The average (mean) wage of $173,500 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a natural sciences manager a well paid job?
At $161,180 a year, a natural sciences manager earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 100,870 people work as natural sciences managers in the United States.
Which state pays natural sciences managers the most?
Massachusetts has the highest median salary for natural sciences managers at $218,800 a year. California ($204,100) and New Jersey ($202,310) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a natural sciences manager a good career?
Employment of natural sciences managers is projected to grow 8.2% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 9,200 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a natural sciences manager?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for natural sciences managers as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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