Natural Sciences Managers : Occupational Outlook Handbook : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Summary

Natural sciences managers hire, supervise, and evaluate scientists, technicians, and other staff.

Quick Facts: Natural Sciences Managers
2010 Median Pay	$116,020 per year $55.78 per hour
Entry-Level Education	Bachelor’s degree
Work Experience in a Related Occupation	More than 5 years
On-the-job Training	None
Number of Jobs, 2010	49,300
Job Outlook, 2010-20	8% (Slower than average)
Employment Change, 2010-20	3,800

What Natural Sciences Managers Do

Natural sciences managers supervise the work of scientists, including chemists, physicists, and biologists. They direct research and development projects and coordinate activities such as testing, quality control, and production.

Work Environment

Natural sciences managers spend most of their time in offices, but they also may spend time in laboratories. Most natural sciences managers work full time.

How to Become a Natural Sciences Manager

Natural sciences managers need at least a bachelor’s degree in a natural science or a related field. Most natural sciences managers work as scientists before becoming managers.

Pay

The median annual wage of natural sciences managers was $116,020 in May 2010.

Job Outlook

Employment of natural sciences managers is projected to grow by 8 percent from 2010 to 2020, slower than the average for all occupations.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of natural sciences managers with similar occupations.

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What Natural Sciences Managers Do About this section

Natural sciences managers direct research and development projects.

Natural sciences managers supervise the work of scientists, including chemists, physicists, and biologists. They plan and direct research and development projects and coordinate activities such as testing, quality control, and production.

Duties

Natural sciences managers typically do the following:

Work with top executives to determine scientific and technical goals of research and development and make detailed plans to accomplish these goals
Prepare budgets for projects and programs and determine staff, training, and equipment needs
Hire, supervise, and evaluate scientists, engineers, technicians, and other staff
Review the accuracy of their staff’s work and the soundness of the methods the staff uses
Monitor the progress of projects and prepare and review research, testing, and operational reports
Provide technical assistance to scientists, technicians, and support staff
Establish administrative procedures, policies, or standards—such as environmental standards
Communicate with clients and top management to explain proposals, present research findings, establish specifications, or discuss the status of a project

Natural sciences managers direct scientific research and development projects and coordinate activities such as testing, quality control, and production. Research projects can have many aims, including improving manufacturing processes, advancing scientific research, and developing new products. Most natural sciences managers are former scientists, and after becoming managers, many continue to conduct their own research in addition to overseeing the work of others.

During all stages of a project, natural sciences managers spend a lot of time coordinating the activities of their unit with those of other units or organizations. They confer with higher levels of management; with financial, production, marketing, and other managers; with contractors; and with equipment and materials suppliers.

Work Environment About this section

Natural sciences managers often present their research findings to other managers, top executives, and clients.

Natural sciences managers held about 49,300 jobs in 2010. They spend most of their time in offices, but they also may spend time in laboratories. Natural sciences managers can be exposed to health or safety hazards in laboratories, but there is little risk if proper procedures are followed.

Industries employing the largest numbers of natural sciences managers in 2010 were as follows:

Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences	22%
Federal government, excluding postal service	22
Pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing	12
State government, excluding education and hospitals	8

Work Schedules

Almost all natural sciences managers work full time. Managers often work long hours to meet project deadlines. They also may experience considerable pressure to meet technical or scientific goals on a short deadline or within a tight budget.

How to Become a Natural Sciences Manager About this section

Natural sciences managers typically begin their careers as scientists.

Natural sciences managers usually advance to management positions after years of employment as scientists. Natural sciences managers typically have a bachelor’s, master’s, or Ph.D. degree in a scientific discipline or a related field such as engineering.

Work Experience

Natural sciences managers usually advance to management positions after years of employment as scientists. While employed as scientists, they are typically given more responsibility and independence in their work as they gain experience. Eventually, they may lead research teams and have control over the direction and content of projects before being promoted to an executive position.

Education

Because natural sciences managers typically begin their careers as scientists, most have a bachelor’s, master’s, or Ph.D. degree in a scientific discipline or a closely related field such as engineering. Strong scientific and technical knowledge is essential for managers because they must be able to understand the work of their subordinates and provide technical assistance when needed.

Natural sciences managers interested in management that is more technical may earn a traditional master's or Ph.D. degree in a natural science or a master's degree in a science that incorporates business management skills. Those interested in management that is more general may pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA).

Given the rapid pace of scientific developments, science managers must continually upgrade their knowledge.

Important Qualities

Critical-thinking skills. Natural sciences managers must carefully evaluate the work of others. They must determine if methods and results are based on sound science.

Interpersonal skills. Natural sciences managers lead research teams and need to be able to work well with others toward a common goal.

Leadership skills. Natural sciences managers must be able to organize, direct, and motivate others. They need to identify the strengths and weaknesses of their workers and put the workers in a position to succeed.

Problem-solving skills. Natural sciences managers use scientific observation and analysis to find solutions to complex scientific and technical questions.

Speaking skills. Natural sciences managers must be able to discuss their research projects with clients, top managers, and others who do not have a technical background.

Time-management skills. Natural sciences managers must be able to do multiple administrative, supervisory, and technical tasks while ensuring that projects remain on schedule.

Writing skills. Natural sciences managers write project proposals and reports that detail their research goals and findings.

Pay About this section

Natural Sciences Managers

Median annual wages, May 2010

Natural Sciences Managers: $116,020
Management Occupations: $91,440
Total, All Occupations: $33,840

The median annual wage of natural sciences managers was $116,020 in May 2010. 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 $67,290, and the top 10 percent earned more than $166,400.

Median annual wages in the industries employing the largest numbers of natural sciences managers in May 2010 were as follows:

Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences	$145,160
Pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing	143,120
Federal government, excluding postal service	107,590
State government, excluding education and hospitals	72,900

Job Outlook About this section

Natural Sciences Managers

Percent change in employment, projected 2010-20

Total, All Occupations: 14%
Natural Sciences Managers: 8%
Management Occupations: 7%

Employment of natural sciences managers is projected to grow by 8 percent from 2010 to 2020, slower than the average for all occupations. Employment growth should be affected by many of the same factors that affect employment growth for scientists whom these managers supervise. However, job growth for managers is expected to be somewhat slower than that for scientists, because research and development activities are increasingly being outsourced to specialized scientific research services firms. This outsourcing will lead to some consolidation of management.

Job Prospects

In addition to job openings resulting from employment growth, openings will result from the need to replace managers who retire or move into other occupations. Competition for job openings will likely be strong because of the high salaries that natural sciences managers command and the greater resources and control over projects that scientists can gain from becoming managers.

Employment projections data for natural sciences managers, 2010-20
Occupational Title	SOC Code	Employment, 2010	Projected Employment, 2020	Change, 2010-20		Employment by Industry
Occupational Title	SOC Code	Employment, 2010	Projected Employment, 2020	Percent	Numeric	Employment by Industry
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
Natural Sciences Managers	11-9121	49,300	53,100	8	3,800	[XLS]

Similar Occupations About this section

This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of natural sciences managers.

Occupation	Job Duties	ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION	2010 MEDIAN PAY
Architectural and Engineering Managers	Architectural and engineering managers plan, coordinate, and direct activities in architecture and engineering, including research and development in these fields.	Bachelor’s degree	$119,260
Biochemists and Biophysicists	Biochemists and biophysicists study the chemical and physical principles of living things and of biological processes such as cell development, growth, and heredity.	Doctoral or professional degree	$79,390
Chemists and Materials Scientists	Chemists and materials scientists study the structures, compositions, reactions, and other properties of substances. They use their knowledge to develop new and improved products, processes, and materials.	Bachelor’s degree	$69,790
Environmental Scientists and Specialists	Environmental scientists and specialists use their knowledge of the natural sciences to protect the environment. They identify problems and find solutions that minimize hazards to the health of the environment and the population.	Bachelor’s degree	$61,700
Geoscientists	Geoscientists study the physical aspects of the Earth, such as its composition, structure, and processes, to learn about its past, present, and future.	Bachelor’s degree	$82,500
Medical Scientists	Medical scientists conduct research aimed at improving overall human health. They often use clinical trials and other investigative methods to reach their findings.	Doctoral or professional degree	$76,700
Physicists and Astronomers	Physicists and astronomers study the fundamental nature of the universe, ranging from the vastness of space to the smallest of subatomic particles. They develop new technologies, methods, and theories based on the results of their research that deepen our understanding of how things work and contribute to innovative, real-world applications.	Doctoral or professional degree	$105,430
Postsecondary Teachers	Postsecondary teachers instruct students in a wide variety of academic and vocational subjects beyond the high school level. They also conduct research and publish scholarly papers and books.	Doctoral or professional degree	$62,050
Top Executives	Top executives devise strategies and policies to ensure that an organization meets its goals. They plan, direct, and coordinate operational activities of companies and public or private-sector organizations.	See How to Become One	$101,250