Skip to content

Natural Sciences Managers

Management (11-9121)

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.

At a Glance

Natural Sciences Managers earns a median of $161,180/yr with +3.7% projected growth. Typical entry: Bachelor's degree. Top skills: Integrity, Attention to Detail, Cooperation.

Median Annual Wage

$161,180/yr

Projected Growth (2024-34)

+3.7%

Annual Openings

9

Typical Education

Bachelor's degree

Skills & Requirements

Skills (18)

Science

Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

4.1
Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

4.0
Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

4.0
Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

4.0
Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

4.0
Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

3.9
Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

3.9
Complex Problem Solving

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

3.9
Judgment and Decision Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

3.8
Management of Personnel Resources

Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.

3.6
Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

3.5
Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

3.5
Coordination

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

3.4
Social Perceptiveness

Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

3.4
Operations Analysis

Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.

3.3
Systems Analysis

Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.

3.3
Persuasion

Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.

3.3
Instructing

Teaching others how to do something.

3.3

Knowledge (8)

English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

4.0
Biology

Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

4.0
Administration and Management

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

3.8
Computers and Electronics

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

3.7
Administrative

Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.

3.6
Chemistry

Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.

3.5
Mathematics

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

3.5
Personnel and Human Resources

Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.

3.3

Abilities (15)

Written Comprehension

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

4.1
Oral Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

4.0
Written Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

4.0
Oral Comprehension

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

4.0
Information Ordering

The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

4.0
Inductive Reasoning

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

4.0
Deductive Reasoning

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

4.0
Category Flexibility

The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.

3.9
Problem Sensitivity

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

3.9
Speech Clarity

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

3.9
Speech Recognition

The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

3.8
Near Vision

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

3.8
Originality

The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.

3.4
Mathematical Reasoning

The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.

3.3
Fluency of Ideas

The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).

3.3

Technology (19)

Microsoft PowerPoint

Category: Presentation software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
The MathWorks MATLAB

Category: Analytical or scientific software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Outlook

Category: Electronic mail software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Office software

Category: Office suite software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Excel

Category: Spreadsheet software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Access

Category: Data base user interface and query software | Hot Technology

4.5
IBM SPSS Statistics

Category: Analytical or scientific software | Hot Technology

4.5
ESRI ArcGIS software

Category: Geographic information system | Hot Technology

4.5
Adobe Photoshop

Category: Graphics or photo imaging software | Hot Technology

4.5
Adobe Acrobat

Category: Document management software | Hot Technology

4.5
Structured query language SQL

Category: Data base user interface and query software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Project

Category: Project management software | Hot Technology

4.5
SAS

Category: Analytical or scientific software | Hot Technology

4.5
SAP software

Category: Enterprise resource planning ERP software | Hot Technology

4.5
R

Category: Object or component oriented development software | Hot Technology

4.5
Oracle Database

Category: Data base user interface and query software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Word

Category: Word processing software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Visio

Category: Process mapping and design software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft SharePoint

Category: Document management software | Hot Technology

4.5

Work Activities (30)

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

4.6
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

4.6
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

4.6
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

4.6
Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

4.6
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

4.5
Getting Information

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

4.5
Analyzing Data or Information

Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

4.5
Documenting/Recording Information

Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

4.4
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

4.4
Developing Objectives and Strategies

Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

4.3
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others

Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

4.3
Working with Computers

Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

4.3
Developing and Building Teams

Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

4.2
Processing Information

Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

4.2
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards

Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

4.2
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others

Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

4.2
Communicating with People Outside the Organization

Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

4.1
Scheduling Work and Activities

Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

4.1
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates

Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

4.1
Monitoring and Controlling Resources

Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

3.9
Thinking Creatively

Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

3.9
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People

Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

3.8
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information

Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

3.7
Coaching and Developing Others

Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

3.7
Staffing Organizational Units

Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.

3.6
Training and Teaching Others

Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

3.6
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials

Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

3.5
Providing Consultation and Advice to Others

Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

3.4
Performing Administrative Activities

Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

3.4

Work Styles (6)

Integrity

A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.

5.0
Attention to Detail

A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.

5.0
Cooperation

A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.

5.0
Intellectual Curiosity

A tendency to seek out and acquire new work-related knowledge and obtain a deep understanding of work-related subjects.

5.0
Achievement Orientation

A tendency to establish and maintain personally challenging work-related goals, set high work-related standards, and exert high effort toward meeting those goals and standards.

4.3
Adaptability

A tendency to be open to and comfortable with change, new experiences, or ideas at work.

3.6

Careers with Overlapping Skills

These occupations share the most skills. A career transition between them means many of your skills transfer directly.

Explore Key Skills

Frequently Asked Questions

Want to build these skills?

Sign up to find courses that teach these skills, track your progress, and build a skills passport aligned to Natural Sciences Managers.

Get Started Free