Natural Sciences Manager salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Natural Sciences Managers in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area earn a median of $263,810 a year ($126.83 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,160 workers.
Pay ranges from $157,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $333,270 for the top 10%. That is 58% higher than the national median of $167,220. Pay here is 25% higher than the California statewide median of $210,230. There are 1.0 natural sciences managers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $252,350, close to the median.
Pay range for natural sciences managers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $157,910 | $75.92 |
| 25th percentile | $204,900 | $98.51 |
| Median | $263,810 | $126.83 |
| 75th percentile | $322,490 | $155.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $333,270 | $160.23 |
| Average (mean) | $252,350 | $121.32 |
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 | $21,984.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $10,992.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $10,146.54 |
| Weekly | $5,073.27 |
| Hourly | $126.83 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Natural Sciences Manager salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
See Natural Sciences Manager pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Managers, All Other | $217,280 | $104.46 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $234,590 | $112.78 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $171,210 | $82.31 |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $86,840 | $41.75 |
| Construction Manager | $163,040 | $78.39 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $165,520 | — |
| Education Administrators, Postsecondary | $154,140 | $74.11 |
| Food Service Manager | $89,900 | $43.22 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $98,030 | $47.13 |
| Education Administrators, All Other | $99,990 | $48.07 |
| Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare | $62,840 | $30.21 |
| Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling | $90,060 | $43.30 |
| Lodging Manager | $94,460 | $45.42 |
| Emergency Management Director | $173,540 | $83.43 |
More: Management Occupations · all salaries in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median salary for natural sciences managers in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area is $263,810 a year, or $126.83 an hour. Pay ranges from $157,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $333,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid natural sciences managers make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The top 10% of natural sciences managers in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area earn at least $333,270 a year. The top 25% earn $322,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for natural sciences managers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $157,910 a year, and a quarter of natural sciences managers earn $204,900 or less.
How many natural sciences managers work in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
About 1,160 natural sciences managers are employed in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.