Natural Sciences Managers
Natural Sciences Managers (SOC 11-9121) earn a median $167,220 a year ($80.39 an hour) in the United States, with 108,690 employed as of May 2025; the highest-paying state is Massachusetts.
What natural sciences managers do
Natural sciences managers lead scientific work in the life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, and statistics, including research and development in those fields. The role is largely supervisory. Managers hire, supervise, and evaluate scientists, engineers, and technicians, guide research, development, and production efforts, and review project work and the reports and test results that come from it. They design or coordinate the phases of a project, from analyzing a problem to proposing and testing solutions, and confer with scientists, regulators, and clients to plan and review projects. Computer and information systems managers and architectural and engineering managers have their own classifications and are not counted here, and it differs from the scientists they supervise, such as chemists and biologists. Client relationships matter too, since managers explain proposals, present research findings, and prepare project proposals.
Typical entry: O*NET respondents most often report a bachelor's degree as the typical level of education for this occupation.
Also called: Agricultural Research Director, Agriculture Research Director, Analytical Services Manager, Chemical Engineer Supervisor, Chemical Plant Technical Director.
National wage percentiles, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $38.32 | $57.42 | $80.39 | $106.51 | $152.33 | $86.66 | 108,690 |
| Annual | $79,710 | $119,430 | $167,220 | $221,540 | $316,850 | $180,250 | ||
Employment per 1,000 jobs and the location quotient are area measures; they appear in the state and metro tables below. To see what a wage in this range leaves after tax, use FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Where natural sciences managers earn and work most
Five highest-paying states
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Massachusetts | Hourly | $73.80 | $103.15 | $128.51 | $154.70 | $158.57 | $123.56 | 10,590 | 2.91 | 4.16 |
| Annual | $153,490 | $214,550 | $267,290 | $321,770 | $329,820 | $257,010 | ||||
| Connecticut | Hourly | $65.75 | $82.00 | $101.28 | $124.87 | $151.71 | $104.71 | 1,190 | 0.70 | 1.00 |
| Annual | $136,750 | $170,560 | $210,670 | $259,720 | $315,560 | $217,800 | ||||
| California | Hourly | $62.85 | $80.59 | $101.07 | $146.34 | $158.68 | $107.62 | 14,950 | 0.82 | 1.17 |
| Annual | $130,730 | $167,630 | $210,230 | $304,380 | $330,050 | $223,850 | ||||
| New Jersey | Hourly | $65.79 | $81.52 | $99.54 | $135.34 | $152.60 | $104.42 | 10,040 | 2.34 | 3.35 |
| Annual | $136,840 | $169,560 | $207,030 | $281,510 | $317,420 | $217,190 | ||||
| Washington | Hourly | $56.53 | $68.33 | $87.73 | $107.34 | $156.13 | $96.25 | 2,490 | 0.70 | 1.00 |
| Annual | $117,590 | $142,130 | $182,480 | $223,260 | $324,740 | $200,200 | ||||
Five states with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| California | Hourly | $62.85 | $80.59 | $101.07 | $146.34 | $158.68 | $107.62 | 14,950 | 0.82 | 1.17 |
| Annual | $130,730 | $167,630 | $210,230 | $304,380 | $330,050 | $223,850 | ||||
| Massachusetts | Hourly | $73.80 | $103.15 | $128.51 | $154.70 | $158.57 | $123.56 | 10,590 | 2.91 | 4.16 |
| Annual | $153,490 | $214,550 | $267,290 | $321,770 | $329,820 | $257,010 | ||||
| New Jersey | Hourly | $65.79 | $81.52 | $99.54 | $135.34 | $152.60 | $104.42 | 10,040 | 2.34 | 3.35 |
| Annual | $136,840 | $169,560 | $207,030 | $281,510 | $317,420 | $217,190 | ||||
| Pennsylvania | Hourly | $28.39 | $40.37 | $66.30 | $105.40 | $150.24 | $77.68 | 7,980 | 1.32 | 1.88 |
| Annual | $59,040 | $83,960 | $137,900 | $219,230 | $312,510 | $161,580 | ||||
| Texas | Hourly | $35.67 | $44.21 | $62.48 | $79.71 | $102.54 | $65.76 | 7,470 | 0.53 | 0.76 |
| Annual | $74,200 | $91,950 | $129,960 | $165,800 | $213,280 | $136,780 | ||||
Five highest-paying metropolitan areas
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | Hourly | $79.12 | $104.51 | $139.90 | $154.82 | $158.68 | $125.04 | 9,570 | 3.54 | 5.06 |
| Annual | $164,570 | $217,370 | $291,000 | $322,030 | $330,050 | $260,090 | ||||
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | Hourly | $75.92 | $98.51 | $126.83 | $155.04 | $160.23 | $121.32 | 1,160 | 1.02 | 1.46 |
| Annual | $157,910 | $204,900 | $263,810 | $322,490 | $333,270 | $252,350 | ||||
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | Hourly | $76.09 | $88.52 | $108.28 | $155.13 | $162.82 | $120.16 | 5,530 | 2.33 | 3.33 |
| Annual | $158,270 | $184,110 | $225,230 | $322,670 | $338,660 | $249,930 | ||||
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | Hourly | $38.44 | $63.01 | $105.83 | $108.83 | $137.01 | $96.16 | 100 | 0.35 | 0.50 |
| Annual | $79,940 | $131,060 | $220,120 | $226,370 | $284,990 | $200,000 | ||||
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT | Hourly | $77.07 | $82.73 | $104.56 | $121.12 | $150.04 | $107.83 | 300 | 2.35 | 3.36 |
| Annual | $160,300 | $172,090 | $217,480 | $251,920 | $312,080 | $224,280 | ||||
Five metropolitan areas with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | Hourly | $38.03 | $65.62 | $86.76 | $112.51 | $150.87 | $94.11 | 10,100 | 1.06 | 1.52 |
| Annual | $79,110 | $136,480 | $180,460 | $234,010 | $313,810 | $195,750 | ||||
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | Hourly | $79.12 | $104.51 | $139.90 | $154.82 | $158.68 | $125.04 | 9,570 | 3.54 | 5.06 |
| Annual | $164,570 | $217,370 | $291,000 | $322,030 | $330,050 | $260,090 | ||||
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | Hourly | $59.58 | $66.82 | $81.28 | $93.84 | $111.70 | $84.12 | 5,890 | 1.88 | 2.69 |
| Annual | $123,920 | $138,980 | $169,060 | $195,190 | $232,340 | $174,970 | ||||
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | Hourly | $76.09 | $88.52 | $108.28 | $155.13 | $162.82 | $120.16 | 5,530 | 2.33 | 3.33 |
| Annual | $158,270 | $184,110 | $225,230 | $322,670 | $338,660 | $249,930 | ||||
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | Hourly | $28.39 | $49.99 | $83.12 | $107.97 | $154.99 | $87.95 | 5,510 | 1.90 | 2.72 |
| Annual | $59,040 | $103,990 | $172,900 | $224,580 | $322,380 | $182,940 | ||||
Top industries employing natural sciences managers
Scientific Research and Development Services employ 40.9% of natural sciences managers nationally (44,430 jobs) at a median $208,560 a year ($100.27 an hour), followed by Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation) (11.0%) and Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (5.3%).
| Industry | Employment | Share of occupation | Median annual | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scientific Research and Development Services NAICS 541700 | 44,430 | 40.9% | $208,560 | $100.27 |
| Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation) NAICS 999100 | 12,010 | 11.0% | $141,300 | $67.94 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools NAICS 611300 | 5,800 | 5.3% | $82,060 | $39.45 |
| Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing NAICS 325400 | 5,430 | 5.0% | $197,590 | $94.99 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises NAICS 551100 | 5,080 | 4.7% | $211,990 | $101.92 |
Share is the industry's employment over the occupation's national employment (108,690). Industries whose employment BLS withheld are not ranked.
Published medians, May 2021 to May 2025
BLS published a median annual wage of $137,900 for natural sciences managers in May 2021 and $167,220 in May 2025, with employment of 74,760 and 108,690.
| Release | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2021 | $137,900 | $66.30 | 74,760 |
| May 2022 | $144,440 | $69.44 | 82,570 |
| May 2023 | $157,740 | $75.84 | 96,520 |
| May 2024 | $161,180 | $77.49 | 100,870 |
| May 2025 | $167,220 | $80.39 | 108,690 |
BLS does not design OEWS as a time series: each release pools three years of samples, and occupational classifications, area definitions and estimation methods change between releases, so a difference between two releases is not a measure of change over time. The figures are shown as published, side by side, and nothing is computed from them. See how often OEWS is updated.
Every state, by median wage
50 states and DC publish a row for this occupation. A linked state has its own page with the within-state metro table and comparison; the others appear here only.
| Rank | State | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts profile | $128.51 | $267,290 | $153,490 | $329,820 | 10,590 | 2.91 | 4.16 |
| 2 | Connecticut profile | $101.28 | $210,670 | $136,750 | $315,560 | 1,190 | 0.70 | 1.00 |
| 3 | California profile | $101.07 | $210,230 | $130,730 | $330,050 | 14,950 | 0.82 | 1.17 |
| 4 | New Jersey profile | $99.54 | $207,030 | $136,840 | $317,420 | 10,040 | 2.34 | 3.35 |
| 5 | Washington profile | $87.73 | $182,480 | $117,590 | $324,740 | 2,490 | 0.70 | 1.00 |
| 6 | North Carolina profile | $83.59 | $173,870 | $101,810 | $305,970 | 6,010 | 1.22 | 1.74 |
| 7 | Maryland profile | $81.07 | $168,620 | $127,920 | $268,240 | 4,820 | 1.74 | 2.49 |
| 8 | Illinois profile | $76.77 | $159,670 | $85,210 | $281,660 | 2,810 | 0.46 | 0.66 |
| 9 | District of Columbia profile | $75.35 | $156,730 | $79,390 | $195,190 | 1,540 | 2.20 | 3.14 |
| 10 | Kansas profile | $73.95 | $153,820 | $110,660 | $224,310 | 240 | 0.17 | 0.24 |
| 11 | Colorado profile | $73.43 | $152,730 | $89,900 | $289,970 | 1,640 | 0.57 | 0.82 |
| 12 | Virginia profile | $72.39 | $150,570 | $84,080 | $212,620 | 1,470 | 0.36 | 0.51 |
| 13 | Oregon profile | $68.81 | $143,120 | $102,760 | $225,560 | 1,700 | 0.87 | 1.24 |
| 14 | Maine profile | $67.96 | $141,360 | $81,950 | $220,730 | 430 | 0.68 | 0.97 |
| 15 | West Virginia profile | $66.35 | $138,010 | $100,140 | $185,220 | 160 | 0.22 | 0.32 |
| 16 | Pennsylvania profile | $66.30 | $137,900 | $59,040 | $312,510 | 7,980 | 1.32 | 1.88 |
| 17 | Ohio profile | $65.95 | $137,170 | $78,720 | $217,760 | 1,560 | 0.28 | 0.40 |
| 18 | Minnesota profile | $65.60 | $136,450 | $78,050 | $289,790 | 1,530 | 0.52 | 0.74 |
| 19 | New York profile | $64.75 | $134,680 | $65,440 | $291,780 | 5,690 | 0.59 | 0.84 |
| 20 | New Hampshire profile | $64.43 | $134,010 | $92,600 | $220,150 | 240 | 0.35 | 0.50 |
| 21 | Alabama profile | $64.17 | $133,470 | $81,770 | $292,940 | 370 | 0.17 | 0.25 |
| 22 | North Dakota profile | $63.16 | $131,370 | $98,490 | $216,630 | 140 | 0.32 | 0.45 |
| 23 | Vermont profile | $63.12 | $131,290 | $78,940 | $203,120 | 290 | 0.96 | 1.37 |
| 24 | South Carolina profile | $63.05 | $131,140 | $71,790 | $225,160 | 780 | 0.34 | 0.48 |
| 25 | Alaska profile | $62.79 | $130,590 | $79,040 | $177,430 | 710 | 2.19 | 3.14 |
| 26 | Rhode Island profile | $62.73 | $130,480 | $64,210 | $268,500 | 200 | 0.41 | 0.58 |
| 27 | Texas profile | $62.48 | $129,960 | $74,200 | $213,280 | 7,470 | 0.53 | 0.76 |
| 28 | Missouri profile | $62.21 | $129,410 | $65,650 | $229,950 | 1,230 | 0.42 | 0.60 |
| 29 | Michigan profile | $62.06 | $129,070 | $68,380 | $222,030 | 2,220 | 0.50 | 0.72 |
| 30 | Wisconsin profile | $61.97 | $128,890 | $89,580 | $213,290 | 1,070 | 0.36 | 0.52 |
| 31 | South Dakota profile | $61.61 | $128,140 | $94,520 | $213,210 | 180 | 0.38 | 0.55 |
| 32 | Kentucky profile | $60.79 | $126,440 | $55,180 | $197,760 | 400 | 0.20 | 0.29 |
| 33 | Arizona profile | $60.06 | $124,920 | $65,780 | $209,130 | 900 | 0.28 | 0.40 |
| 34 | Idaho profile | $60.00 | $124,800 | $80,790 | $204,550 | 610 | 0.71 | 1.01 |
| 35 | Tennessee profile | $59.87 | $124,530 | $66,280 | $223,370 | 880 | 0.27 | 0.38 |
| 36 | Nebraska profile | $57.99 | $120,620 | $65,140 | $189,000 | 550 | 0.53 | 0.76 |
| 37 | Arkansas profile | $57.42 | $119,430 | $72,080 | $226,370 | 340 | 0.26 | 0.38 |
| 38 | Mississippi profile | $57.42 | $119,430 | $75,920 | $185,540 | 210 | 0.18 | 0.26 |
| 39 | Montana profile | $57.42 | $119,430 | $91,560 | $281,640 | 370 | 0.73 | 1.05 |
| 40 | Utah profile | $57.42 | $119,430 | $63,500 | $218,340 | ** | ** | ** |
| 41 | Louisiana profile | $55.75 | $115,950 | $81,890 | $212,130 | ** | ** | ** |
| 42 | Nevada profile | $53.97 | $112,260 | $64,240 | $182,160 | 320 | 0.21 | 0.30 |
| 43 | Oklahoma profile | $53.97 | $112,260 | $62,400 | $193,770 | 310 | 0.18 | 0.26 |
| 44 | Florida profile | $53.95 | $112,220 | $62,660 | $216,330 | 4,370 | 0.44 | 0.63 |
| 45 | Iowa profile | $52.77 | $109,760 | $74,320 | $200,580 | 610 | 0.39 | 0.56 |
| 46 | Wyoming profile | $52.55 | $109,300 | $97,470 | $134,040 | 150 | 0.52 | 0.74 |
| 47 | Indiana profile | $52.04 | $108,250 | $56,530 | $203,340 | 1,670 | 0.52 | 0.74 |
| 48 | Hawaii profile | $51.83 | $107,810 | $64,410 | $169,680 | 510 | 0.81 | 1.16 |
| – | Delaware profile | * | * | * | * | 440 | 0.91 | 1.31 |
| – | New Mexico profile | * | * | * | * | 400 | 0.46 | 0.65 |
Part of Management Occupations. Compare any area in the wage explorer.
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS 11-9121 Natural Sciences Managers.
*- Wage estimate not available.
**- Employment estimate not available.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.
- Top industries: nat4d_M2025_dl.xlsx in oesm25in4.zip (BLS OEWS May 2025, national, 4-digit NAICS, cross-ownership). Employment is the industry's rounded total for this occupation; industries whose employment BLS withheld (**) are not ranked.
- Published medians: national_M2021_dl.xlsx to national_M2024_dl.xlsx in oesm21nat.zip to oesm24nat.zip (BLS OEWS May 2021 to May 2024, national, cross-industry, all ownerships) and the May 2025 spine. Each release is shown as published; nothing is computed between them.
Sources
- BLS Standard Occupational Classification 2018, definition of 11-9121, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- O*NET 30.1 Database, 11-9121.00, National Center for O*NET Development, USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0).
- OEWS May 2025 national industry-specific estimates, 4-digit NAICS (oesm25in4.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2021 national estimates (oesm21nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2022 national estimates (oesm22nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2023 national estimates (oesm23nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2024 national estimates (oesm24nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2025 national estimates (oesm25nat.zip), the site's data spine, US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
Includes information from O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Description written 2026-10-17 in our own words from the sources above.