Natural Sciences Managers
US occupation · SOC 11-9121
Job titles people report: 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), Research Manager, Water Team Leader
Pay and outlook
- Median annual wage, May 2025
- $167,220
- Half earn more, half earn less
- Middle half earn
- $119,430 – $221,540
- 25th to 75th percentile
- People employed, May 2025
- 108,690
- Wage and salary jobs (OEWS)
- Projected change, 2025–35
- +8.2%
- Growing at twice the all-jobs rate or more (7%+)
- Openings a year (projected)
- 9,200
- New jobs plus replacing people who leave
- Typical education to enter
- Bachelor's degree
- BLS
- All figures are for the United States as a whole. Pay varies a lot by state and city.
- Wages are for everyone working in the occupation in May 2025, at every career stage. They are not starting salaries or figures for new graduates.
- Growth and openings are BLS projections for 2025–35. They are estimates, not promises. Openings include jobs that open up when people retire or change occupation, not just new jobs.
What the work involves
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.
Main 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.
More specific O*NET® occupations under this one: Clinical Research Coordinators, Water Resource Specialists.
Description and tasks from the O*NET® 31.0 Database.
Getting in
- Typical education to enter (BLS)
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience in a related job: 5 years or more
- O*NET Job Zone 5
- Extensive preparation
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Interests it suits
The strongest of the six O*NET interest types for this occupation, highest first. The short glosses are ours.
- Investigative: research, analysis and solving problems with ideas
- Enterprising: leading, persuading and making business decisions
- Conventional: organising information, records and procedures
Fields of study that lead here
From the federal CIP–SOC crosswalk, which links 149 programmes to this occupation. A link means the programme prepares people for this kind of work. It doesn't mean the programme is required, or that it's the only route.
Business
- Research and Development Management
- Research Administration
- Science/Technology Management
Find colleges that fit you with our matcher: choose Business at the Major step.
Where many students take business
- Southern New Hampshire UniversityManchester, NH · 35% of degrees · 163,164 undergraduates
- Western Governors UniversitySalt Lake City, UT · 28% of degrees · 155,088 undergraduates
- Arizona State University Campus ImmersionTempe, AZ · 26% of degrees · 64,674 undergraduates
- Grand Canyon UniversityPhoenix, AZ · 22% of degrees · 73,371 undergraduates
- University of Maryland Global CampusAdelphi, MD · 25% of degrees · 49,664 undergraduates
- University of the PeoplePasadena, CA · 53% of degrees · 22,688 undergraduates
Ordered by the field's share of degrees awarded times undergraduate enrolment (College Scorecard), among colleges with at least 1,000 undergraduates. Online universities are included. It's a rough measure of how big the programme is. It says nothing about quality. The share counts every programme in the field, not only the ones linked to this career.
Engineering
- Engineering Physics/Applied Physics
- Operations Research
Find colleges that fit you with our matcher: choose Engineering at the Major step.
Where many students take engineering
- Purdue University-Main CampusWest Lafayette, IN · 25% of degrees · 44,503 undergraduates
- Texas A&M University-College StationCollege Station, TX · 17% of degrees · 59,615 undergraduates
- Georgia Institute of Technology-Main CampusAtlanta, GA · 42% of degrees · 18,785 undergraduates
- University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChampaign, IL · 21% of degrees · 36,258 undergraduates
- Ohio State University-Main CampusColumbus, OH · 15% of degrees · 45,638 undergraduates
- North Carolina State University at RaleighRaleigh, NC · 24% of degrees · 27,371 undergraduates
Ordered by the field's share of degrees awarded times undergraduate enrolment (College Scorecard), among colleges with at least 1,000 undergraduates. Online universities are included. It's a rough measure of how big the programme is. It says nothing about quality. The share counts every programme in the field, not only the ones linked to this career.
Biology & Life Sciences
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General
- Biochemistry
- Biophysics
- Molecular Biology
- Molecular Biochemistry
- Molecular Biophysics
- Structural Biology
- Photobiology
49 more programmes
- Radiation Biology/Radiobiology
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Other
- Botany/Plant Biology
- Plant Pathology/Phytopathology
- Plant Physiology
- Botany/Plant Biology, Other
- Cell/Cellular Biology and Histology
- Anatomy
- Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology
- Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences, Other
- Microbiology, General
- Medical Microbiology and Bacteriology
- Virology
- Parasitology
- Immunology
- Microbiology and Immunology
- Microbiological Sciences and Immunology, Other
- Zoology/Animal Biology
- Entomology
- Animal Physiology
- Zoology/Animal Biology, Other
- Molecular Genetics
- Animal Genetics
- Plant Genetics
- Genome Sciences/Genomics
- Genetics, Other
- Pathology/Experimental Pathology
- Aerospace Physiology and Medicine
- Pharmacology
- Toxicology
- Biometry/Biometrics
- Biostatistics
- Computational Biology
- Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology, Other
- Biotechnology
- Ecology
- Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography
- Evolutionary Biology
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Ecology, Evolution, Systematics and Population Biology, Other
- Molecular Medicine
- Neuroscience
- Neuroanatomy
- Neurobiology and Anatomy
- Neurobiology and Behavior
- Neurobiology and Neurosciences, Other
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other
Find colleges that fit you with our matcher: choose Biology & Life Sciences at the Major step.
Where many students take biology & life sciences
- University of California-San DiegoLa Jolla, CA · 20% of degrees · 34,948 undergraduates
- Arizona State University Campus ImmersionTempe, AZ · 10% of degrees · 64,674 undergraduates
- Texas A&M University-College StationCollege Station, TX · 10% of degrees · 59,615 undergraduates
- University of California-DavisDavis, CA · 18% of degrees · 32,253 undergraduates
- University of California-Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA · 17% of degrees · 33,475 undergraduates
- Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing, MI · 13% of degrees · 40,922 undergraduates
Ordered by the field's share of degrees awarded times undergraduate enrolment (College Scorecard), among colleges with at least 1,000 undergraduates. Online universities are included. It's a rough measure of how big the programme is. It says nothing about quality. The share counts every programme in the field, not only the ones linked to this career.
Health & Nursing
- Medical Science/Scientist
- Clinical and Industrial Drug Development
Find colleges that fit you with our matcher: choose Health & Nursing at the Major step.
Where many students take health & nursing
- Western Governors UniversitySalt Lake City, UT · 26% of degrees · 155,088 undergraduates
- Grand Canyon UniversityPhoenix, AZ · 33% of degrees · 73,371 undergraduates
- Southern New Hampshire UniversityManchester, NH · 8% of degrees · 163,164 undergraduates
- The University of Texas at ArlingtonArlington, TX · 36% of degrees · 32,294 undergraduates
- University of Central FloridaOrlando, FL · 13% of degrees · 59,146 undergraduates
- University of South FloridaTampa, FL · 17% of degrees · 37,207 undergraduates
Ordered by the field's share of degrees awarded times undergraduate enrolment (College Scorecard), among colleges with at least 1,000 undergraduates. Online universities are included. It's a rough measure of how big the programme is. It says nothing about quality. The share counts every programme in the field, not only the ones linked to this career.
History
- History and Philosophy of Science and Technology
Find colleges that fit you with our matcher: choose History at the Major step.
Where many students take history
- Southern New Hampshire UniversityManchester, NH · 1% of degrees · 163,164 undergraduates
- Liberty UniversityLynchburg, VA · 2% of degrees · 50,012 undergraduates
- Grand Canyon UniversityPhoenix, AZ · 1% of degrees · 73,371 undergraduates
- Arizona State University Digital ImmersionScottsdale, AZ · 2% of degrees · 53,782 undergraduates
- University of California-Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA · 2% of degrees · 33,475 undergraduates
- University of California-Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara, CA · 3% of degrees · 23,113 undergraduates
Ordered by the field's share of degrees awarded times undergraduate enrolment (College Scorecard), among colleges with at least 1,000 undergraduates. Online universities are included. It's a rough measure of how big the programme is. It says nothing about quality. The share counts every programme in the field, not only the ones linked to this career.
Mathematics & Statistics
- Mathematics, General
- Algebra and Number Theory
- Analysis and Functional Analysis
- Geometry/Geometric Analysis
- Topology and Foundations
- Mathematics, Other
- Applied Mathematics, General
- Computational Mathematics
9 more programmes
- Computational and Applied Mathematics
- Financial Mathematics
- Mathematical Biology
- Applied Mathematics, Other
- Statistics, General
- Mathematics and Statistics
- Statistics, Other
- Applied Statistics, General
- Mathematics and Statistics, Other
Find colleges that fit you with our matcher: choose Mathematics & Statistics at the Major step.
Where many students take mathematics & statistics
- University of California-Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA · 7% of degrees · 33,475 undergraduates
- University of California-Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara, CA · 10% of degrees · 23,113 undergraduates
- University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChampaign, IL · 5% of degrees · 36,258 undergraduates
- The University of Texas at AustinAustin, TX · 4% of degrees · 42,855 undergraduates
- University of California-BerkeleyBerkeley, CA · 4% of degrees · 33,068 undergraduates
- University of California-DavisDavis, CA · 4% of degrees · 32,253 undergraduates
Ordered by the field's share of degrees awarded times undergraduate enrolment (College Scorecard), among colleges with at least 1,000 undergraduates. Online universities are included. It's a rough measure of how big the programme is. It says nothing about quality. The share counts every programme in the field, not only the ones linked to this career.
Physics & Chemistry
- Physical Sciences, General
- Astronomy
- Astrophysics
- Planetary Astronomy and Science
- Astronomy and Astrophysics, Other
- Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, General
- Atmospheric Chemistry and Climatology
- Atmospheric Physics and Dynamics
36 more programmes
- Meteorology
- Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, Other
- Chemistry, General
- Analytical Chemistry
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Physical Chemistry
- Polymer Chemistry
- Chemical Physics
- Environmental Chemistry
- Forensic Chemistry
- Theoretical Chemistry
- Cheminformatics/Chemistry Informatics
- Chemistry, Other
- Geology/Earth Science, General
- Geochemistry
- Geophysics and Seismology
- Paleontology
- Hydrology and Water Resources Science
- Geochemistry and Petrology
- Oceanography, Chemical and Physical
- Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences, Other
- Physics, General
- Atomic/Molecular Physics
- Elementary Particle Physics
- Plasma and High-Temperature Physics
- Nuclear Physics
- Optics/Optical Sciences
- Condensed Matter and Materials Physics
- Acoustics
- Theoretical and Mathematical Physics
- Physics, Other
- Materials Chemistry
- Materials Sciences, Other
- Physics and Astronomy
- Physical Sciences, Other
Find colleges that fit you with our matcher: choose Physics & Chemistry at the Major step.
Where many students take physics & chemistry
- University of California-BerkeleyBerkeley, CA · 3% of degrees · 33,068 undergraduates
- Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusUniversity Park, PA · 2% of degrees · 42,284 undergraduates
- University of FloridaGainesville, FL · 3% of degrees · 35,629 undergraduates
- The University of Texas at AustinAustin, TX · 2% of degrees · 42,855 undergraduates
- University of Washington-Seattle CampusSeattle, WA · 3% of degrees · 31,942 undergraduates
- Texas A&M University-College StationCollege Station, TX · 2% of degrees · 59,615 undergraduates
Ordered by the field's share of degrees awarded times undergraduate enrolment (College Scorecard), among colleges with at least 1,000 undergraduates. Online universities are included. It's a rough measure of how big the programme is. It says nothing about quality. The share counts every programme in the field, not only the ones linked to this career.
Philosophy & Religion
- Logic
Find colleges that fit you with our matcher: choose Philosophy & Religion at the Major step.
Where many students take philosophy & religion
- Beth Medrash GovohaLakewood, NJ · 100% of degrees · 4,027 undergraduates
- Uta Mesivta of Kiryas JoelMonroe, NY · 100% of degrees · 2,957 undergraduates
- Liberty UniversityLynchburg, VA · 5% of degrees · 50,012 undergraduates
- United Talmudical SeminaryBrooklyn, NY · 100% of degrees · 2,241 undergraduates
- Yeshiva UniversityNew York, NY · 49% of degrees · 2,852 undergraduates
- Yeshivath ViznitzMonsey, NY · 100% of degrees · 1,159 undergraduates
Ordered by the field's share of degrees awarded times undergraduate enrolment (College Scorecard), among colleges with at least 1,000 undergraduates. Online universities are included. It's a rough measure of how big the programme is. It says nothing about quality. The share counts every programme in the field, not only the ones linked to this career.
Other fields
Our college matcher doesn't offer this field as a major, so we can't suggest colleges for it here.
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
- Biological and Physical Sciences
- Mathematics and Computer Science
- Biopsychology
- Science, Technology and Society
- Natural Sciences
- Nutrition Sciences
- Cognitive Science, General
- Cognitive Science, Other
14 more programmes
- Human Biology
- Computational Science
- Marine Sciences
- Sustainability Studies
- Anthrozoology
- Climate Science
- Earth Systems Science
- Environmental Geosciences
- Geobiology
- Geography and Environmental Studies
- Mathematical Economics
- Mathematics and Atmospheric/Oceanic Science
- Data Science, General
- Data Science, Other
Related careers
Related occupations from the O*NET database, in its order.
- Project Management Specialists
$102,320 median · +6.7% projected
- Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers
$109,370 median · +7.6% projected
- Data Scientists
$120,230 median · +34.6% projected
- Biological Technicians
$57,510 median · +7.4% projected
- Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary
$94,980 median · +2.7% projected
- Architectural and Engineering Managers
$171,270 median · +5.5% projected
Sources
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CollegeMatcher has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET 31.0 Database · CC BY 4.0
Changes: we show the core tasks in the O*NET database with the highest importance ratings (up to eight, in that order), the top three O*NET interest types by score, and shortened Job Zone names. Titles, descriptions and task text are unchanged.
Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Projections, typical entry education and training: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Fields of study: NCES and BLS CIP 2020–SOC 2018 Crosswalk. All public domain. OEWS · Employment Projections · CIP–SOC crosswalk