Natural sciences managers
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Natural sciences managers in the United States earn a median salary of $167,220 per year — about $80 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 104K people work in this occupation nationwide, with projected employment growth of +4%.
AI & Automation Risk
This role is predominantly knowledge-based, involving data analysis, budgeting, and technical reporting, all of which are highly susceptible to AI enhancement and automation. While the job requires significant human-centric leadership and physical oversight of laboratories, AI will drastically increase productivity in reviewing research, drafting operational reports, and optimizing resource allocation.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NHBEST VALUE | $291,000 | Above avg (110.4) | $263,604 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $220,120 | Below avg (91.5) | $240,700 |
| Midland, MI | $212,130 | Below avg (90.6) | $234,087 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $263,810 | Above avg (113.1) | $233,338 |
| Bay City, MI | $204,120 | Below avg (90.6) | $225,248 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $215,860 | Average (98.9) | $218,294 |
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT | $217,480 | Average (100.7) | $215,979 |
| Boulder, CO | $210,340 | Average (100.6) | $209,056 |
| Worcester, MA | $212,600 | Average (103.0) | $206,444 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $173,590 | Below avg (85.9) | $202,063 |
| New Haven, CT | $210,670 | Above avg (105.4) | $199,956 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $225,230 | Above avg (117.6) | $191,602 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT Metropolitan Statistical Area | $204,250 | Above avg (107.0) | $190,868 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $196,930 | Above avg (103.3) | $190,652 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $183,540 | Average (97.3) | $188,542 |