Natural Sciences Managers supervise the work of scientists, including chemists, physicists, and biologists. They direct activities related to research and development, and coordinate activities such as testing, quality control, and production.
Natural Sciences Managers direct scientific research activities and direct and coordinate product development projects and production activities. The duties of Natural Sciences Managers vary with the field of science (such as biology or chemistry) or the industry they work in. Research projects may be aimed at improving manufacturing processes, advancing basic scientific knowledge, or developing new products.
Recruiter & Staffing Needs
Natural Sciences Managers supervise the work of scientists, including chemists, physicists, and biologists. They direct activities related to research and development, and coordinate activities such as testing, quality control, and production.
Natural Sciences Managers direct scientific research activities and direct and coordinate product development projects and production activities. The duties of natural Sciences Managers vary with the field of science (such as biology or chemistry) or the industry they work in. Research projects may be aimed at improving manufacturing processes, advancing basic scientific knowledge, or developing new products.
Recruiter & Staffing Needs
Job Prospects
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.
Employment projections data for natural sciences managers, 2016-26
| Occupational Title | SOC Code | Employment, 2016 | Projected Employment, 2026 | Change, 2016-26 | Employment by Industry | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percent | Numeric | |||||
| Natural Sciences Managers | 11-9121 | 56,700 | 62,300 | 10 | 5,600 |  xlsx |
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
Employment projections data for natural sciences managers, 2016-26
| Occupational Title |
|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers |
| SOC Code |
| 11-9121 |
| Employment, 2016 |
| 56,700 |
| Projected Employment, 2026 |
| 62,300 |
| CHANGE, 2016-26 |
| PERCENT |
| 10 |
| NUMERIC |
| 5,600 |
| EMPLOYMENT BY INDUSTRY |
| xlsx |
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
Pay
The median annual wage for natural sciences managers was $118,970 in May 2017. 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 $62,080, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $208,000.
In May 2017, the median annual wages for natural sciences managers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences | $147,030 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing | $130,290 |
| Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services | $115,230 |
| Federal Government, Excluding Postal Service | $114,930 |
| State Government, Excluding Education and Hospitals | $78,360 |
Almost all natural sciences managers work full time. About 1 out of 3 worked more than 40 hours per week in 2016.
Natural Sciences Managers
Median annual wages, May 2017
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics
Job Outlook
Employment of natural sciences managers is projected to grow 10 percent from 2016 to 2026, 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.
Natural Sciences Managers
Percent change in employment, projected 2016-26
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics
Run Your First Background Check for Natural Sciences Managers
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Recruitment Process Outsourcing Association
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American Staffing Association
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