Natural Sciences Managers vs. General and Operations Managers: Who Earns More?
Natural Sciences Managers out-earn General and Operations Managers by $61K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Natural Sciences Managers land at $167,220 and General and Operations Managers at $105,770. The education gap is real: natural sciences manager programs typically require bachelor's degree, while general and operations manager programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Natural Sciences Managers is Massachusetts ($267,290); for General and Operations Managers it's New Jersey ($173,690).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Natural Sciences Managers median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Natural Sciences Managers or General and Operations Managers?
Natural Sciences Managers earn more nationally. The median is $167,220 for Natural Sciences Managers versus $105,770 for General and Operations Managers, a difference of $61K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Natural Sciences Managers or General and Operations Managers?
General and Operations Managers has the better 10-year outlook at 4.4% projected growth, compared to 3.7% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Natural Sciences Managers or General and Operations Managers?
Natural Sciences Managers typically requires bachelor's degree. General and Operations Managers requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Natural Sciences Managers get paid the most?
Massachusetts is the top-paying state for Natural Sciences Managers at $267,290/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Natural Sciences Managers vs. General and Operations Managers pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Massachusetts, Natural Sciences Managers earn $267,290 vs. $127,220 for General and Operations Managers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.