Natural Sciences Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.

$161,180

Median Annual Pay

Jobs growth:

+4% projected 2024–2034

Bachelor's degree

Typical Entry-Level Education

What They Do

Natural sciences managers oversee research teams and coordinate scientific projects in laboratories, universities, pharmaceutical companies, and government agencies. They spend their days planning research initiatives, managing budgets, and ensuring that projects meet their scientific goals and deadlines. These managers divide their time between administrative work—such as writing grant proposals, preparing reports, and communicating with upper management—and collaborating with scientists to address technical challenges and refine research methodologies.

Programs That Prepare You

College programs linked to this occupation, ranked by graduate earnings

Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies(masters)Oregon Health & Science University, OR

Business Administration, Management and Operations(masters)Northwestern University, IL

Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies(postbacc-cert)University of Cincinnati-Main Campus, OH

Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies(masters)University of California-San Francisco, CA

Business Administration, Management and Operations(masters)University of Pennsylvania, PA

Business Administration, Management and Operations(professional)University of California-Berkeley, CA

Business Administration, Management and Operations(professional)Harvard University, MA

Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies(masters)University of Cincinnati-Main Campus, OH

Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies(masters)University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus, PA

Business Administration, Management and Operations(masters)University of Chicago, IL

Business Administration, Management and Operations(masters)Stanford University, CA

Business Administration, Management and Operations(masters)Yale University, CT

Business Administration, Management and Operations(masters)University of Virginia-Main Campus, VA

Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies(masters)Emory University, GA

Business Administration, Management and Operations(masters)Dartmouth College, NH

Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies(masters)University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus, CO

Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology(masters)University of Pennsylvania, PA

Business Administration, Management and Operations(masters)New York University, NY

Business Administration, Management and Operations(masters)Columbia University in the City of New York, NY

Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies(masters)Case Western Reserve University, OH

Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies(masters)Jacksonville University, FL

Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies(masters)Albert Einstein College of Medicine, NY

Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies(masters)Harvard University, MA

Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies(masters)Hofstra University, NY

Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies(masters)Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College, LA

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