Salary and Outlook

According to the US Department of Labor, there are 78,800 people employed as natural sciences managers in the United States. The median annual salary is $137,900. Entry level employees earn approximately $75,040 per year and senior employees earn approximately $208,000 (or more) per year.

Estimates do not include other potential benefits such as health insurance, overtime pay, or retirement benefits that may be offered by employers.

Job Duties

• Develop or implement policies, standards, or procedures for the architectural, scientific, or technical work performed to ensure regulatory compliance or operations enhancement.
• 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.
• Recruit personnel or oversee the development or maintenance of staff competence.
• Prepare and administer budgets, approve and review expenditures, and prepare financial reports.
• Conduct own research in field of expertise.
• Develop innovative technology or train staff for its implementation.
• Make presentations at professional meetings to further knowledge in the field.
• Provide for stewardship of plant or animal resources or habitats, studying land use, monitoring animal populations, or providing shelter, resources, or medical treatment for animals.
• Advise or assist in obtaining patents or meeting other legal requirements.

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