How long does it take to become a natural sciences manager?

Typically about four years for the degree, then 5 years or more of related work first. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

How much do natural sciences managers make?

The US median is $167,220 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.

Do you need a degree to become a natural sciences manager?

Yes, and employers also expect years of related experience first.

Where can you train to become a natural sciences manager?

1,979 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

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How to become a natural sciences manager

Management · SOC 11-9121

$167,220US median pay, 2025

+8.2%Projected growth, 2025–35

9,200Openings per year

Degree + experienceUsual way in

How you get in

Not an entry-level job: it usually takes a degree plus years of related work.

Bachelor's degree
5 years or more of experience in a related job
Work as a natural sciences manager

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
Biology/Biological Sciences, General	CIP 26.0101	1,632
Mathematics, General	CIP 27.0101	1,306
Chemistry, General	CIP 40.0501	1,176
Physics, General	CIP 40.0801	792
Biochemistry	CIP 26.0202	580
Geology/Earth Science, General	CIP 40.0601	441
Neuroscience	CIP 26.1501	316
Biological and Physical Sciences	CIP 30.0101	298
Applied Mathematics, General	CIP 27.0301	216
Sustainability Studies	CIP 30.3301	213
Statistics, General	CIP 27.0501	194
Biotechnology	CIP 26.1201	186
Data Science, General	CIP 30.7001	164
Nutrition Sciences	CIP 30.1901	146
Physical Sciences, General	CIP 40.0101	139
Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other	CIP 26.9999	134
Financial Mathematics	CIP 27.0305	120
Natural Sciences	CIP 30.1801	114
Microbiology, General	CIP 26.0502	112
Engineering Physics/Applied Physics	CIP 14.1201	110
Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology	CIP 26.0406	99
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology	CIP 26.0210	96
Biostatistics	CIP 26.1102	91
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences, Other	CIP 40.0699	91
Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography	CIP 26.1302	87

…and 124 more related programs.

See the 1,979 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does it take to become a natural sciences manager?: Typically about four years for the degree, then 5 years or more of related work first. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do natural sciences managers make?: The US median is $167,220 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree to become a natural sciences manager?: Yes, and employers also expect years of related experience first.
Where can you train to become a natural sciences manager?: 1,979 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

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