Management
Natural sciences manager
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.
Median pay
$167,220
Growth to 2035
+8%
faster than average
Openings a year
9,200
Time to qualify*
5 years
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Natural sciences manager
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Bachelor's degree
- On-the-job training
- None
- Prior experience
- 5 years or more
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Hazardous conditions
Exposure to disease
Natural sciences manager: 56% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- 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.
Also called: Analytical Services Manager · Chemical Engineer Supervisor · Chemical Process Exploration Manager · Environmental Program Manager · Lab Manager (Laboratory Manager) · Natural Sciences Manager · Research Administrator · Research and Development Director (R and D Director)
Outlook and AI
Natural sciences managers held 112,200 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 121,500 by 2035 (+8%, faster than average; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
- Natural sciences manager vs. Project manager
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- Natural sciences manager vs. Biological technician
- Natural sciences manager vs. Biological scientists, all other
- Natural sciences manager vs. Environmental science teachers, postsecondary