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Profession JRI–57 / Technology

Will AI replace natural sciences managers?

Natural Sciences Managers plan and direct research activities in life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, and statistics. While automated systems can handle data collection and routine protocol steps, the role requires human oversight in reviewing scientific literature, designing recruitment materials, and ensuring regulatory compliance through audits.

The risk spectrum — where Natural Sciences Manager sits
Natural Sciences Manager vs the 82 other jobs
Risk rank57 / 83
Automation timeline5-10 years
Median salary$167,220
Projected growth+3.7% (2024–34)
01 / Your plan

The skills that keep you relevant.

Picked to match what this role actually asks for — refreshed weekly, never by what a platform pays.

What you'll learn
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Updated Aug 10, 2026

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02 / Job market

Official outlook: still growing.

Within the 83 professions
Salary$167,220
$31k$171k
Growth+3.7% (2024–34)
-25.9%33.5%

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a +3.7% change in employment for this occupation between 2024 and 2034, from a current base of 108,690 people employed earning a median of $167,220 a year.

Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–34 & OEWS May 2025.

AI adoption in postings →

03 / Real salaries

Natural Sciences Manager salaries by city

Median pay from real records (H-1B filings and tech job postings), across the cities with most observations.

New York$105,000Philadelphia$76,315Chicago$71,328Boston$140,795Cambridge$216,000Houston$141,126

Range shows p25–p75; the dot is the median. Sources carry a documented bias — see the full salary page.

See real salaries →

04 / How to enter

How to become a natural sciences manager.

Typical preparation

Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed

Education

Most of these occupations require graduate school.

Experience

Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience.

Job training

Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

Getting in is one thing — the day-to-day runs on a specific set of tools and skills:

Skills employers ask for

From real job postings for this role — click to explore who asks for them.

Source: O*NET 30.0 database (CC BY 4.0).

07 / FAQ

What people ask.

01Will AI replace natural sciences managers?
Risk assessment for Natural Sciences Managers is medium, with a score of 46. Automated systems manage data collection and routine protocol steps, yet human judgment is still needed for interpreting complex studies and navigating ethical considerations. Employment in this occupation totals 108690.
02How soon will AI affect Natural Sciences Managers?
Automation is projected to unfold over 5-10 years for Natural Sciences Managers. The risk score of 46 indicates medium exposure, with routine data collection likely automated first. Roles still require human oversight for regulatory compliance and coordinating with healthcare professionals.
03What skills keep Natural Sciences Managers relevant?
High demand for Complex Problem Solving and Judgment and Decision Making helps these managers stay durable, while Monitoring carries medium demand. Entry-level skills such as Active Listening, Reading Comprehension, and Writing also matter. Automated systems can track data, but interpreting studies and reviewing scientific literature remain human tasks.
04What preparation is needed to become a Natural Sciences Manager?
Graduate education is standard for these positions. Candidates also need high-demand skills in Active Listening, Reading Comprehension, and Writing. The occupation's tasks include planning or directing research, development, or production activities.
05What related roles can Natural Sciences Managers pivot to?
Possible related roles include Compliance Officers (risk score 40), Industrial Production Managers (risk score 42), and Nurses (risk score 5). These alternatives span different automation exposures, with compliance and production management closer to the original occupation's risk level, while nursing shows significantly lower exposure.
06Is Natural Sciences Manager a good career to start in 2026?
Median pay for Natural Sciences Managers is 167220, and employment totals 108690. Projected growth is +3.7% for 2024–34. The risk score is 46 with an automation horizon of 5-10 years, suggesting that judgment-heavy responsibilities will persist while routine tasks get automated.
07What tools and tasks define Natural Sciences Managers?
Daily responsibilities include conferring with scientists, engineers, or regulators; developing client relationships; and preparing project proposals. Useful tools in this field include R, IBM SPSS Statistics, ESRI ArcGIS, Microsoft Access, Adobe Acrobat, and Adobe Photoshop. Managers also design or coordinate problem analysis and testing.