Natural Sciences Manager salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Natural Sciences Managers in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn a median of $175,400 a year ($84.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $107,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $289,730 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $167,220. Pay here is 17% lower than the California statewide median of $210,230. There are 0.54 natural sciences managers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.77). The average (mean) salary is $188,630, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for natural sciences managers in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $107,600 | $51.73 |
| 25th percentile | $136,820 | $65.78 |
| Median | $175,400 | $84.33 |
| 75th percentile | $223,100 | $107.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $289,730 | $139.29 |
| Average (mean) | $188,630 | $90.69 |
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 | $14,616.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $7,308.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,746.15 |
| Weekly | $3,373.08 |
| Hourly | $84.33 |
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 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 |
| 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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Managers, All Other | $167,090 | $80.33 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $130,290 | $62.64 |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $75,750 | $36.42 |
| Food Service Manager | $78,570 | $37.77 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $79,920 | $38.42 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $159,950 | — |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $207,900 | $99.95 |
| Construction Manager | $132,620 | $63.76 |
| Education Administrators, Postsecondary | $153,950 | $74.01 |
| Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare | $65,480 | $31.48 |
| Education Administrators, All Other | $104,050 | $50.03 |
| Lodging Manager | $75,430 | $36.27 |
| Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling | $80,440 | $38.67 |
| Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers | $142,560 | $68.54 |
More: Management Occupations · all salaries in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, 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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median salary for natural sciences managers in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area is $175,400 a year, or $84.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $107,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $289,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid natural sciences managers make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The top 10% of natural sciences managers in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn at least $289,730 a year. The top 25% earn $223,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for natural sciences managers in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $107,600 a year, and a quarter of natural sciences managers earn $136,820 or less.
How many natural sciences managers work in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
About 110 natural sciences managers are employed in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.