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Science Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a Science Manager make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Science Manager in the United States is $142,462 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $68.

However, a Science Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $163,240
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $131,141 to $153,338
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $120,834
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Science Manager Salaries

A Science Manager's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Science Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Science Manager's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $211,699
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $112,846
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $143,248
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $175,316
  • Expert (over 8 years): $202,046
Levels Salary
Research ... Level Science Manager$211,699
Research ... Level Science Manager$112,846
Science M... Level Science Manager$143,248
Research ... Level Science Manager$175,316
Research ... Level Science Manager$202,046
View as Graph

How Do Science Manager Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Science Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $157,734.
  • California: $157,136.
  • Massachusetts: $155,041.

Top Paying Cities for Science Managers

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $179,687
  • San Francisco: $177,720
  • Oakland: $173,975

What Skills Can Increase a Science Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 10.36% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Economics (Mentioned in 1.54% Job Postings): Economics is a social science that focuses on the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services, and analyzes the choices that individuals, businesses, governments, and nations make to allocate resources.
  • PowerPoint (Mentioned in 1.28% Job Postings): A computer software created by Microsoft which allows the user to create slides with recordings, narrations, transitions and other features in order to present information.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 10.36%
Economics 1.54%
PowerPoint 1.28%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Science Manager's salary.

  • People Management: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • New Product Development: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Coaching: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
People Management $153,859
8%
New Product Development $149,585
5%
Coaching $149,585
5%
Get Latest Data

Science Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Science Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Science Manager positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Science Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Science Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$178,078$86.025%
Financial Services$163,831$79.015%
Insurance$163,831$79.015%
Pharmaceuticals$163,831$79.015%
Energy & Utilities$156,708$75.010%

How Education impacts a Science Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Science Managers enter the field with a Master's Degree or MBA degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Science Manager with a Master's Degree or MBA is between $150,727 and $159,635).

Science Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Science Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.4%
High School 1.4%
Associates 2.0%
Bachelors 21.5%
Masters 27.2%
Doctorate 47.9%
View as Graph

Science Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Science Manager's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$131,141
Average $142,462/year
$153,338
$10,928
Average $11,872/month
$12,778
$2,522
Average $2,740/week
$2,949
$63
Average $68/hour
$74
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $153,338 $12,778 $2,949 $74
Average $142,462 $11,872 $2,740 $68
25th Percentile $131,141 $10,928 $2,522 $63

Most common benefits for Science Manager

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Science Manager

Here are companies hiring for Science Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Science Manager

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Science Manager?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Science Manager roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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