Information Provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook

Career Profile:

Natural Sciences Managers See More Careers

Most engineering and natural sciences managers have previous experience as engineers, scientists, or mathematicians. Projected employment growth for engineering and natural sciences managers should be closely related to growth in employment of the engineers and scientists they supervise and of the industries in which they are found. Opportunities will be best for workers with strong communication and business management skills.

Career Salary:

On average, Natural Sciences Managers earn $ 100,080 per year.

10% 25% 75% 90% $ 60,300/yr $ 77,320/yr $ 130,900/yr $ 0/yr

Number of People in Profession:

38,660
Job Outlook:

Job Opportunities for Natural Sciences Managers are expected to:
Increase as fast as the average.

Recommended Education Level:

  • Master's Degree
  • Bachelor's plus Work Experience
  • Associate Degree
  • Professional Certificate

Nature of the Job

Engineering and natural sciences managers plan, coordinate, and direct research, design, and production activities. They may supervise engineers, scientists, and technicians, along with support personnel. These managers use their knowledge of engineering and natural sciences to oversee a variety of activities. They determine scientific and technical goals within broad outlines provided by top executives, who are discussed elsewhere in the Handbook.

Training

Strong technical knowledge is essential for engineering and natural sciences managers, who must understand and guide the work of their subordinates and explain the work in nontechnical terms to senior management and potential customers. Therefore, most managers have formal education and work experience as an engineer, scientist, or mathematician.

Employment Opportunities

Engineering and natural sciences managers held about 228,000 jobs in 2006. Manufacturing industries employed 38 percent of engineering and natural sciences managers. Manufacturing industries with the largest employment are those which produce computer and electronic equipment and those which produce transportation equipment, including aerospace products and parts.

Additional Resources: