Natural Sciences Managers Salary
In North Carolina, natural sciences managers earn $173,870 at the median, or about $83.59 an hour. The range runs from $102K at the entry level to $306K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.66), which stretches that salary to about $187,643 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,284/month, or 11.9% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across North Carolina. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $174K get you in North Carolina?
About natural sciences managers
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What this looks like in North Carolina
Natural sciences managers pay in North Carolina tracks closely to the national median, $174K locally vs. $167K nationwide, a 4% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,284/month, 12.7% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 92.66 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 7% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, North Carolina
Entry-level natural sciences managers (10th percentile) start around $102K. Mid-career wages sit at $174K. Top earners bring in $306K or more, a $204K spread from bottom to top.
Natural Sciences Managers salary by metro in North Carolina
11 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill | $184K | +6% | 2,050 |
| Raleigh-Cary | $174K | -0% | 1,640 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | $173K | -0% | 460 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines | $169K | -3% | 30 |
| Wilmington | $167K | -4% | 330 |
| Fayetteville | $165K | -5% | 50 |
| Burlington | $163K | -6% | 40 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton | $163K | -6% | 40 |
| Greensboro-High Point | $154K | -11% | 170 |
| Winston-Salem | $149K | -14% | 220 |
| Asheville | $133K | -23% | 80 |
Showing 1–10 of 11 metros
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Track natural sciences managers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when North Carolina numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a natural sciences manager afford a 2BR apartment alone in North Carolina?
Yes — at the median salary of $174K, rent takes 12.7% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,284/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for natural sciences managers in North Carolina?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new natural sciences managers typically earn — is $102K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $6,109/month. At HUD’s $1,284/month FMR, rent would take 21% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is natural sciences manager a high-paying job in North Carolina?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $174K locally vs. $167K nationally, a 4% difference.
How does North Carolina compare to the national average for natural sciences managers?
North Carolina pays $174K median vs. the U.S. average of $167K — that’s +4%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 92.66), the purchasing-power equivalent is $188K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do natural sciences managers make in North Carolina?
The median is $173,870 a year, that works out to about $84 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $101,810, and experienced natural sciences managers can clear $305,970. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $174K enough to live in North Carolina?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $10,147/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,284/month, which eats 12.7% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a natural sciences managers salary go in North Carolina?
North Carolina has a Regional Price Parity of 92.66 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median natural sciences managers salary is worth about $187,643 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do natural sciences managers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.