Career Trends: Natural Sciences Managers

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

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.

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.

Employment of natural sciences managers is projected to grow 3 percent from 2014 to 2024, slower than the average for all occupations. Employment growth should be affected by many of the same factors that affect employment growth for the scientists whom these managers supervise.

This occupation supported 51,600 jobs in 2012 and 55,100 jobs in 2014, reflecting an increase of 6.8%. In 2012, this occupation was projected to increase by 5.6% in 2022 to 54,500 jobs. As of 2014, to keep pace with prediction, the expected number of jobs was 52,100, compared with an observed value of 55,100, 5.8% higher than expected. This indicates current employment trends are much better than the 2012 trend within this occupation. In 2014, this occupation was projected to increase by 3.5% in 2024 to 56,900 jobs. Linear extrapolation of the 2012 projection for 2022 results in an expected number of 55,000 jobs for 2024, 3.3% lower than the 2014 projection for 2024. This indicates expectations for future employment trends are better than the 2012 trend within this occupation.