The median annual wage for natural sciences managers is $119,850. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $66,920, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $208,000.

The median annual wages for natural sciences managers in the top industries in which they work are as follows:

Almost all natural sciences managers work full time. About 1 out of 3 work more than 40 hours per week.

Job Outlook for Natural Sciences Managers

Employment of natural sciences managers is projected to grow 10 percent over the next ten years, faster than the average for all occupations. Employment growth should be affected by many of the same factors that affect employment growth for the scientists whom these managers supervise. Job growth for managers is projected to increase at roughly the same rate as those for life scientists and physical scientists, but managers tend to be flexible in the number of workers they are able to manage. In addition, research and development activities are increasingly being outsourced to specialized scientific research services firms. This outsourcing will lead to some consolidation of management.

Job Prospects for Natural Sciences Managers

In addition to job openings resulting from employment growth, openings will arise from the need to replace managers who retire or move into other occupations.

Competition for jobs in this occupation is expected to be strong because of its typically higher salaries, greater control over some types of projects, and better access to resources. Experiences can vary widely with the variety of industries and organizations these managers work in. Private industry, government, and colleges and universities will have different goals. Prospective managers should take these differences into consideration when applying for positions.