Management
Natural Sciences Managers
Also called: Analytical Services Manager, Chemical Engineer Supervisor, Chemical Process Exploration Manager, Environmental Program Manager
US median pay
$167,220
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+8.2%
faster than average
Openings a year (US)
9,200
112,200 employed
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
Preparation 5/5 · Extensive preparation
What this job is
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.
What they do day to day
- 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.
- Develop or implement policies, standards, or procedures for the architectural, scientific, or technical work performed to ensure regulatory compliance or operations enhancement.
- Recruit personnel or oversee the development or maintenance of staff competence.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Complex Problem Solving3.9/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.8/5
- Management of Personnel Resources3.6/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.4/5
- Coordination3.4/5
- Systems Analysis3.2/5
- Persuasion3.2/5
- Operations Analysis3.2/5
Knowledge
- Biology4.0/5
- English Language4.0/5
- Administration and Management3.8/5
- Computers and Electronics3.7/5
- Administrative3.6/5
- Chemistry3.5/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 5 of 5 — Extensive preparation. Usually a graduate degree (master's, PhD, MD, JD) and extensive experience.
Typical entry education (BLS): Bachelor's degree, plus 5 years or more of related work experience.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Bachelor's degree35%
- Post-doctoral training27%
- Master's degree15%
Who this job suits
Mostly Investigative
Ideas, research and solving problems
Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.