Other Management Occupations

How to become a Natural Sciences Manager

Official title: Natural Sciences Managers

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), Research Manager, Water Team Leader

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.

How to become one

Natural sciences managers typically need at least a bachelor's degree in a natural science or related field. Most work as scientists before becoming managers.

Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

College: Science degrees, Offered by 36 universities in the US

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $167,220 a year The middle half earn $119,430 to $221,540.
About 112,200 people work in this job now, and about 121,500 are projected by 2035. (+8.2%)
People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Questions people ask

How do I become a Natural Sciences Manager?

Natural sciences managers typically need at least a bachelor's degree in a natural science or related field. Most work as scientists before becoming managers.

How much does a Natural Sciences Manager earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $167,220 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $119,430 to $221,540.

Is a Natural Sciences Manager a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 8% by 2035, from about 112,200 to about 121,500 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Natural Sciences Manager?

Usually. 91% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Natural Sciences Manager?

People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Sources

Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

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.