Natural Sciences Manager salary in California
Natural Sciences Managers in California earn a median of $210,230 a year ($101.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 14,950 workers.
Pay ranges from $130,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $330,050 for the top 10%. That is 26% higher than the national median of $167,220. California ranks 3rd of 48 states for natural sciences managers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.82 natural sciences managers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $223,850, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for natural sciences managers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $130,730 | $62.85 |
| 25th percentile | $167,630 | $80.59 |
| Median | $210,230 | $101.07 |
| 75th percentile | $304,380 | $146.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $330,050 | $158.68 |
| Average (mean) | $223,850 | $107.62 |
Half of natural sciences managers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $17,519.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $8,759.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $8,085.77 |
| Weekly | $4,042.88 |
| Hourly | $101.07 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Natural Sciences Manager salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $263,810 | 1,160 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $225,230 | 5,530 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $207,200 | 2,890 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $202,380 | 80 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $193,340 | 2,530 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $178,530 | 40 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $176,740 | 180 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $175,400 | 110 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $174,860 | 30 |
| Salinas, CA | $171,290 | 40 |
| Vallejo, CA | $171,250 | 60 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $170,010 | 680 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $169,370 | 260 |
| Modesto, CA | $160,070 | 50 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $158,770 | 80 |
| Fresno, CA | $157,470 | 90 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $156,270 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for natural sciences managers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $267,290 |
| Connecticut | $210,670 |
| California | $210,230 |
| New Jersey | $207,030 |
| Washington | $182,480 |
| North Carolina | $173,870 |
| Maryland | $168,620 |
| Illinois | $159,670 |
| District of Columbia | $156,730 |
| Kansas | $153,820 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Managers, All Other | $174,560 | $83.92 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $141,480 | $68.02 |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $77,030 | $37.04 |
| Construction Manager | $133,160 | $64.02 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $83,210 | $40.01 |
| Food Service Manager | $78,260 | $37.63 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $159,950 | — |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $210,280 | $101.10 |
| Education Administrators, Postsecondary | $125,460 | $60.32 |
| Education Administrators, All Other | $99,650 | $47.91 |
| Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare | $67,100 | $32.26 |
| Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling | $79,550 | $38.25 |
| Lodging Manager | $76,950 | $37.00 |
| Personal Service Managers, All Other | $77,840 | $37.42 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 11-9121. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a natural sciences manager make in California?
The median salary for natural sciences managers in California is $210,230 a year, or $101.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $130,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $330,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid natural sciences managers make in California?
The top 10% of natural sciences managers in California earn at least $330,050 a year. The top 25% earn $304,380 or more.
What is the starting pay for natural sciences managers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $130,730 a year, and a quarter of natural sciences managers earn $167,630 or less.
How many natural sciences managers work in California?
About 14,950 natural sciences managers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.