Natural Sciences Managers: 108,690 jobs, median pay $167,220 · where the jobs are in the U.S.

108,690

Jobs in the U.S.

People employed, May 2025

$167,220

Median pay a year

Middle half: $119,430–$221,540

9,200

Annual openings

10-year change: +8.2%

750

LCA filings, last 4 quarters

+13.1% from the prior 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 207 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings

New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $180,460 · LCA filings 15410,100$180,460154

Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $291,000 · LCA filings 589,570$291,00058

Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $169,060 · LCA filings 255,890$169,06025

San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAMedian pay $225,230 · LCA filings 445,530$225,23044

Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $172,900 · LCA filings 385,510$172,90038

San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CAMedian pay $207,200 · LCA filings 132,890$207,20013

Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $132,860 · LCA filings 222,870$132,86022

Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $193,340 · LCA filings 182,530$193,34018

Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $167,040 · LCA filings 342,270$167,04034

Trenton–Princeton, NJMedian pay $182,230 · LCA filings 92,150$182,2309

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings

Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHEmployment 9,570 · LCA filings 58$291,0009,57058

San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployment 1,160 · LCA filings 17$263,8101,16017

San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 5,530 · LCA filings 44$225,2305,53044

Fayetteville–Springdale–Rogers, AREmployment 100 · LCA filings 1$220,1201001

Norwich–New London–Willimantic, CTEmployment 300 · LCA filings 0$217,4803000

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment

New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJEmployers with LCA filings 64 · Employment 10,1001546410,100

Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHEmployers with LCA filings 41 · Employment 9,57058419,570

San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployers with LCA filings 31 · Employment 5,53044315,530

Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDEmployers with LCA filings 19 · Employment 5,51038195,510

Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INEmployers with LCA filings 19 · Employment 2,27034192,270

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV

New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $151,029 · Level III $195,312 · Level IV $239,595$106,746$151,029$195,312$239,595

Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $217,776 · Level III $259,667 · Level IV $301,579$175,864$217,776$259,667$301,579

Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $148,429 · Level III $174,720 · Level IV $200,990$122,158$148,429$174,720$200,990

San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CALevel II $208,582 · Level III $249,538 · Level IV $290,472$167,648$208,582$249,538$290,472

Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $133,598 · Level III $182,458 · Level IV $231,296$84,760$133,598$182,458$231,296

San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CALevel II $179,774 · Level III $217,797 · Level IV $255,798$141,773$179,774$217,797$255,798

Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $111,280 · Level III $141,045 · Level IV $170,830$81,494$111,280$141,045$170,830

Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $156,541 · Level III $195,915 · Level IV $235,269$117,187$156,541$195,915$235,269

Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $138,570 · Level III $174,408 · Level IV $210,226$102,752$138,570$174,408$210,226

Trenton–Princeton, NJLevel II $181,750 · Level III $210,350 · Level IV $238,971$153,130$181,750$210,350$238,971

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT

Biology, GeneralCIP 26.01STEM OPT · up to 36 months4,172STEM OPT · up to 36 months

ChemistryCIP 40.05STEM OPT · up to 36 months2,744STEM OPT · up to 36 months

Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular BiologyCIP 26.02STEM OPT · up to 36 months1,304STEM OPT · up to 36 months

Geological and Earth Sciences/GeosciencesCIP 40.06STEM OPT · up to 36 months633STEM OPT · up to 36 months

PhysicsCIP 40.08STEM OPT · up to 36 months2,685STEM OPT · up to 36 months

See Natural Sciences Managers in every metro area

All 207 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology