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Boston Career Explorer

Management

Natural Sciences Managers

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

Also called: Analytical Services Manager, Chemical Engineer Supervisor, Chemical Process Exploration Manager, Environmental Program Manager, Lab Manager (Laboratory Manager), Natural Sciences Manager

Median pay in Greater Boston
$291,000
$139.90/hr
Jobs in Greater Boston
9,570
Massachusetts 2024–2034
−0.4%
660 openings a year
Typical U.S. entry requirement
Bachelor's degree
5 years or more of related work experience

Greater Boston: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, May 2025. Growth and openings: Massachusetts statewide projection.

Pay range in Greater Boston

Yearly pay in Greater Boston by percentile
10th25thMedian75th90th
$164,570$217,370$291,000$322,030$330,050

10% of workers earn less than the first figure and 10% earn more than the last.

What you’d do

  • Hire, supervise, or evaluate engineers, technicians, researchers, or other staff.
  • Design or coordinate successive phases of problem analysis, solution proposals, or testing.
  • Plan or direct research, development, or production activities.
  • Review project activities and prepare and review research, testing, or operational reports.
  • Confer with scientists, engineers, regulators, or others to plan or review projects or to provide technical assistance.
  • Develop client relationships and communicate with clients to explain proposals, present research findings, establish specifications, or discuss project status.

AI and this job

AI exposure: how much of this job’s work AI tools can do or help with, based on national research. It is not a forecast of job loss.

Higher exposure83 of 100

The index averages three national research measures, each shown as a percentile of all jobs:

  • AIOE 89
  • Language-model AIOE 83
  • GPTs-are-GPTs 78

Observed AI use today: Some (Anthropic Economic Index)

AI exposure for this job is higher, and some AI use has been observed. AI tools can help with reviewing reports, analyzing problems, and organizing project information. Hiring and supervising staff, setting research direction, and working with scientists and regulators rely on people. Projected Massachusetts growth is slightly negative at -0.4%.

Likely to change

  • Reviewing and preparing research reports
  • Analyzing problems and project data

Still relies on people

  • Hiring and supervising research staff
  • Working with scientists and regulators

Written with AI from the data on this page. Check with a career coach before making a decision.

Training near Boston

College and school programs in the Boston metro area that lead to this job, with 2023-24 completions (IPEDS).

243 programs near Boston (plus 224 graduate)

Related occupations

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