Best Natural Sciences Manager programs in Washington, ranked by enrollment
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these.
49 schools in Washington run programs that feed this job, graduating 5,793 people a year. The job pays a median of $182,480 in Washington across about 2,490 jobs (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Fields of study in Washington that lead to this job
Grouped at the 4-digit CIP level. Numbers are graduates per year in this state.
64 programs in Washington that lead to this job
Ranked by graduates per year in Washington (IPEDS completions). Graduate earnings and debt are national College Scorecard figures reported at the 4-digit CIP level, so specializations within one field share a figure. Each program also links to its own Washington page.
| # | Program | Graduates / yr | Share of pipeline | Schools | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CIP 26.0101In Washington → | 1,346 | 23.2% | 33 | $32,152 | $25,000 |
| 2 | Physical Sciences, Generalmain feeder CIP 40.0101In Washington → | 524 | 9.0% | 28 | $27,007 | $9,000 |
| 3 | CIP 26.0202In Washington → | 415 | 7.2% | 9 | $38,243 | $23,014 |
| 4 | CIP 27.0101In Washington → | 289 | 5.0% | 15 | $48,772 | $21,544 |
| 5 | CIP 40.0501In Washington → | 257 | 4.4% | 15 | $42,620 | $23,900 |
| 6 | CIP 40.0601In Washington → | 257 | 4.4% | 8 | $39,678 | $24,864 |
| 7 | CIP 26.0406In Washington → | 256 | 4.4% | 5 | $35,393 | $19,961 |
| 8 | CIP 27.0301In Washington → | 237 | 4.1% | 8 | $60,930 | $21,143 |
| 9 | CIP 40.0801In Washington → | 211 | 3.6% | 13 | $47,156 | $23,490 |
| 10 | CIP 30.1901In Washington → | 188 | 3.2% | 4 | $30,508 | $24,586 |
| 11 | Biological and Physical Sciencesmain feeder CIP 30.0101In Washington → | 180 | 3.1% | 5 | $28,446 | $11,000 |
| 12 | CIP 30.2701In Washington → | 128 | 2.2% | 3 | $31,690 | $17,312 |
| 13 | CIP 26.1501In Washington → | 100 | 1.7% | 4 | $31,687 | $22,936 |
| 14 | CIP 30.4401In Washington → | 94 | 1.6% | 2 | — | — |
| 15 | CIP 26.0502In Washington → | 86 | 1.5% | 2 | $38,383 | $22,065 |
| 16 | CIP 27.0501In Washington → | 86 | 1.5% | 2 | $59,718 | $20,150 |
| 17 | CIP 26.1302In Washington → | 82 | 1.4% | 3 | $29,460 | $23,480 |
| 18 | CIP 30.3301In Washington → | 69 | 1.2% | 2 | $37,223 | $20,968 |
| 19 | CIP 26.1503In Washington → | 66 | 1.1% | 1 | $31,687 | $22,936 |
| 20 | CIP 30.7001In Washington → | 64 | 1.1% | 4 | — | — |
| 21 | CIP 27.0304In Washington → | 61 | 1.1% | 2 | $60,930 | $21,143 |
| 22 | CIP 30.3001In Washington → | 60 | 1.0% | 1 | $50,745 | $27,000 |
| 23 | CIP 40.0699In Washington → | 58 | 1.0% | 4 | $39,678 | $24,864 |
| 24 | CIP 40.0201In Washington → | 52 | 0.9% | 2 | $39,728 | $24,678 |
| 25 | CIP 40.0401In Washington → | 48 | 0.8% | 1 | $41,430 | $25,500 |
| 26 | CIP 27.0399In Washington → | 41 | 0.7% | 2 | $60,930 | $21,143 |
| 27 | CIP 26.1399In Washington → | 40 | 0.7% | 1 | $29,460 | $23,480 |
| 28 | CIP 26.0701In Washington → | 39 | 0.7% | 1 | $28,266 | $24,393 |
| 29 | CIP 40.0607In Washington → | 39 | 0.7% | 1 | $39,678 | $24,864 |
| 30 | CIP 26.1102In Washington → | 35 | 0.6% | 1 | $72,338 | $18,500 |
| 31 | CIP 52.0216In Washington → | 25 | 0.4% | 2 | $43,506 | $25,000 |
| 32 | Science, Technology and Societymain feeder CIP 30.1501In Washington → | 24 | 0.4% | 3 | $44,736 | $18,593 |
| 33 | CIP 30.3201In Washington → | 24 | 0.4% | 1 | $27,337 | $22,400 |
| 34 | CIP 27.0503In Washington → | 23 | 0.4% | 3 | $59,718 | $20,150 |
| 35 | CIP 27.0305In Washington → | 21 | 0.4% | 1 | $60,930 | $21,143 |
| 36 | CIP 27.0303In Washington → | 19 | 0.3% | 1 | $60,930 | $21,143 |
| 37 | CIP 30.0801In Washington → | 19 | 0.3% | 2 | $89,651 | $23,175 |
| 38 | CIP 51.2006In Washington → | 19 | 0.3% | 1 | $48,728 | $23,761 |
| 39 | CIP 30.7099In Washington → | 18 | 0.3% | 1 | — | — |
| 40 | CIP 26.0299In Washington → | 17 | 0.3% | 1 | $38,243 | $23,014 |
| 41 | CIP 26.1311In Washington → | 17 | 0.3% | 1 | $29,460 | $23,480 |
| 42 | CIP 26.0210In Washington → | 16 | 0.3% | 2 | $38,243 | $23,014 |
| 43 | CIP 40.0603In Washington → | 16 | 0.3% | 2 | $39,678 | $24,864 |
| 44 | CIP 26.0301In Washington → | 11 | 0.2% | 2 | $33,009 | $21,975 |
| 45 | CIP 26.1301In Washington → | 11 | 0.2% | 1 | $29,460 | $23,480 |
| 46 | CIP 26.0305In Washington → | 9 | 0.2% | 1 | $33,009 | $21,975 |
| 47 | CIP 26.0507In Washington → | 8 | 0.1% | 1 | $38,383 | $22,065 |
| 48 | CIP 26.0899In Washington → | 8 | 0.1% | 1 | $31,800 | $21,424 |
| 49 | CIP 30.4901In Washington → | 8 | 0.1% | 2 | — | — |
| 50 | CIP 26.1001In Washington → | 7 | 0.1% | 1 | $39,202 | $18,000 |
| 51 | CIP 26.9999In Washington → | 7 | 0.1% | 2 | $31,278 | $23,000 |
| 52 | CIP 40.0202In Washington → | 7 | 0.1% | 1 | $39,728 | $24,678 |
| 53 | CIP 26.0599In Washington → | 6 | 0.1% | 1 | $38,383 | $22,065 |
| 54 | CIP 26.0910In Washington → | 6 | 0.1% | 1 | $31,146 | $23,384 |
| 55 | CIP 40.0402In Washington → | 6 | 0.1% | 1 | $41,430 | $25,500 |
| 56 | CIP 26.0702In Washington → | 5 | 0.1% | 1 | $28,266 | $24,393 |
| 57 | CIP 27.0599In Washington → | 5 | 0.1% | 1 | $59,718 | $20,150 |
| 58 | CIP 40.0899In Washington → | 5 | 0.1% | 2 | $47,156 | $23,490 |
| 59 | CIP 51.1401In Washington → | 5 | 0.1% | 1 | $223,926 | $16,250 |
| 60 | CIP 27.0199In Washington → | 4 | 0.1% | 2 | $48,772 | $21,544 |
| 61 | CIP 26.1199In Washington → | 3 | 0.1% | 1 | $72,338 | $18,500 |
| 62 | CIP 40.0605In Washington → | 3 | 0.1% | 2 | $39,678 | $24,864 |
| 63 | CIP 40.0404In Washington → | 2 | 0.0% | 1 | $41,430 | $25,500 |
| 64 | CIP 54.0104In Washington → | 1 | 0.0% | 1 | $31,217 | $24,000 |
Top 25 schools in Washington
Ranked by graduates per year into this job. Graduate earnings are reported for 14 of the 49 schools in this state.
| # | School | Graduates / yr | Top feeder program | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Grad rate | Net price | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WA Public · 38 feeder programs | 2,329 | Biochemistry | $38,985 | 85% | — | 39% |
| 2 | Washington State University Pullman, WA Public · 22 feeder programs | 737 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | $36,290 | 60% | — | 87% |
| 3 | Western Washington University Bellingham, WA Public · 20 feeder programs | 530 | Sustainability Studies | $41,600 | 65% | — | 93% |
| 4 | University of Washington - Bothell Campus Bothell, WA Public · 7 feeder programs | 173 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | $38,716 | 65% | — | 91% |
| 5 | Eastern Washington University Cheney, WA Public · 10 feeder programs | 158 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | $33,793 | 43% | — | 91% |
| 6 | Central Washington University Ellensburg, WA Public · 10 feeder programs | 152 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | $36,401 | 54% | — | 91% |
| 7 | Seattle University Seattle, WA Private not-for-profit · 8 feeder programs | 141 | Data Science, General | — | 76% | $31,900 | 77% |
| 8 | Gonzaga University Spokane, WA Private not-for-profit · 6 feeder programs | 133 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | $30,819 | 86% | $30,006 | 82% |
| 9 | Whitman College Walla Walla, WA Private not-for-profit · 17 feeder programs | 119 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | $28,538 | 81% | $28,508 | 38% |
| 10 | Whitworth University Spokane, WA Private not-for-profit · 8 feeder programs | 114 | Biological and Physical Sciences | $34,703 | 71% | $23,510 | 90% |
| 11 | Pacific Lutheran University Tacoma, WA Private not-for-profit · 6 feeder programs | 89 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | $36,766 | 69% | $19,944 | 78% |
| 12 | Cascadia College Bothell, WA Public · 2 feeder programs | 80 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | — | 32% | — | — |
| 13 | Pierce College District Lakewood, WA Public · 2 feeder programs | 79 | Physical Sciences, General | — | 31% | — | — |
| 14 | Clark College Vancouver, WA Public · 2 feeder programs | 74 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | — | 39% | — | — |
| 15 | The Evergreen State College Olympia, WA Public · 2 feeder programs | 73 | Biological and Physical Sciences | $27,555 | 41% | — | 96% |
| 16 | Bellevue College Bellevue, WA Public · 3 feeder programs | 68 | Physical Sciences, General | — | 36% | — | — |
| 17 | University of Puget Sound Tacoma, WA Private not-for-profit · 8 feeder programs | 68 | Biological and Physical Sciences | — | 68% | $35,057 | 72% |
| 18 | South Puget Sound Community College Olympia, WA Public · 2 feeder programs | 66 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | — | 44% | — | — |
| 19 | Seattle Central College Seattle, WA Public · 1 feeder programs | 64 | Physical Sciences, General | — | 32% | — | — |
| 20 | Edmonds College Lynnwood, WA Public · 2 feeder programs | 59 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | — | 29% | — | — |
| 21 | Seattle Pacific University Seattle, WA Private not-for-profit · 9 feeder programs | 45 | Nutrition Sciences | $39,317 | 62% | $24,653 | 83% |
| 22 | Green River College Auburn, WA Public · 2 feeder programs | 43 | Physical Sciences, General | — | 39% | — | — |
| 23 | Highline College Des Moines, WA Public · 2 feeder programs | 39 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | — | 35% | — | — |
| 24 | North Seattle College Seattle, WA Public · 1 feeder programs | 27 | Physical Sciences, General | — | 33% | — | — |
| 25 | Skagit Valley College Mount Vernon, WA Public · 2 feeder programs | 26 | Physical Sciences, General | — | 36% | — | — |
All 49 schools in Washington
Every school in Washington with a program that feeds this job, ordered by graduates per year. Earnings are shown for the ranked schools above; open a school profile for the rest.
| School | City | Control | Graduates / yr | Feeder programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Washington - Seattle Campus | Seattle | Public | 2,329 | 38 |
| Washington State University | Pullman | Public | 737 | 22 |
| Western Washington University | Bellingham | Public | 530 | 20 |
| University of Washington - Bothell Campus | Bothell | Public | 173 | 7 |
| Eastern Washington University | Cheney | Public | 158 | 10 |
| Central Washington University | Ellensburg | Public | 152 | 10 |
| Seattle University | Seattle | Private not-for-profit | 141 | 8 |
| Gonzaga University | Spokane | Private not-for-profit | 133 | 6 |
| Whitman College | Walla Walla | Private not-for-profit | 119 | 17 |
| Whitworth University | Spokane | Private not-for-profit | 114 | 8 |
| Pacific Lutheran University | Tacoma | Private not-for-profit | 89 | 6 |
| Cascadia College | Bothell | Public | 80 | 2 |
| Pierce College District | Lakewood | Public | 79 | 2 |
| Clark College | Vancouver | Public | 74 | 2 |
| The Evergreen State College | Olympia | Public | 73 | 2 |
What natural sciences managers earn in Washington
What people already working in this job earn (BLS OEWS May 2025). Not graduate earnings.
U.S. median $167,220. Washington pays above the national figure.
1.00× means the state has its expected share of these jobs.
Metro areas in Washington
Job outlook
Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections, 2024 to 2034.
Growth and openings are national. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not publish employment projections at state level, so these figures describe the occupation across the whole U.S., not this state alone.
How to get in
The full skills, tools, and day-to-day breakdown lives on the national Natural Sciences Managers page.
How to become a Natural Sciences Manager
Job zone 5 of 5 · SVP 8.0 and above- Typical entry education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience needed
- 5 years or more
Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Top skills
The same job in other states
Where else this occupation employs the most people, and what it pays there.
Related careers in Washington
Every major mapped to this job
The official federal mapping behind the rankings above.
All 25 majors mapped to Natural Sciences Managers24 of them graduated someone in the latest IPEDS year. NCES CIP 2020 → SOC 2018 crosswalk.+
- 14.1201Engineering Physics/Applied Physics
- 14.3701Operations Research
- 26.0101Biology/Biological Sciences, General
- 26.0202Biochemistry
- 26.0203Biophysics
- 26.0204Molecular Biology
- 26.0205Molecular Biochemistry
- 26.0206Molecular Biophysics
- 26.0207Structural Biology
- 26.0208Photobiology(no graduates reported)
- 26.0209Radiation Biology/Radiobiology
- 26.0210Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- 26.0299Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Other
- 26.0301Botany/Plant Biology
- 26.0305Plant Pathology/Phytopathology
- 26.0307Plant Physiology
- 26.0399Botany/Plant Biology, Other
- 26.0401Cell/Cellular Biology and Histology
- 26.0403Anatomy
- 26.0406Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology
- 26.0499Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences, Other
- 26.0502Microbiology, General
- 26.0503Medical Microbiology and Bacteriology
- 26.0504Virology
- 26.0505Parasitology
Common questions
Answers for people weighing natural sciences managers programs in Washington.
What degree do you need to become a Natural Sciences Manager?+
Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education BLS reports for this occupation. The most common program people actually graduate from is Biology/Biological Sciences, General, which awarded 1,346 degrees in Washington in 2024-25, 23.2% of everyone graduating from a program that feeds this career.
Which college majors lead to becoming a Natural Sciences Manager?+
The NCES CIP-to-SOC crosswalk maps 64 programs to this occupation. The largest are Biology, Physical Sciences, Biochemistry, Applied Mathematics, plus 33 more. Together they graduate about 5,793 people a year in Washington.
How much do natural sciences managers earn in Washington?+
The median is $182,480 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025). That is 9.1% above the U.S. median of $167,220. This is pay for people already working in the occupation, not the same thing as graduate earnings one year after finishing a degree.
Is demand for natural sciences managers growing?+
BLS projects a +3.7% change in employment between 2024 and 2034, about as fast as average, with roughly 8,500 openings a year nationally once retirements and job changes are counted.
How many schools offer programs for this career in Washington?+
49 institutions in Washington reported graduates from at least one of the 64 programs that feed this occupation in IPEDS 2024-25. Rankings on this page use graduates per year, because the federal data publishes no enrollment count by program.
What other job titles do natural sciences managers work under?+
Employers advertise this work under many names. O*NET records Research Coordinator, Clinical Trial Manager, Water Resources Planner, Clinical Program Manager, Natural Sciences Manager, Clinical Research Coordinator among the most commonly reported, all mapping to SOC 11-9121.
About the data on this page
Rankings use IPEDS completions 2024–25, degrees awarded per year. That is the closest federal measure of how many people a program puts into a career, because no federal dataset publishes enrollment by program. Wages and employment come from BLS OEWS May 2025, growth and openings from BLS Employment Projections 2024-34, and which majors lead to which jobs from the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. Occupation descriptions, tasks, skills and tools are O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor/ETA).
BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics
May 2025Wages, employment counts, location quotients and metro breakdowns.
BLS Employment Projections
2024–34Projected growth, annual openings and typical entry-level education.
IPEDS Completions
2024-25 (provisional)Graduates per year by program and institution — the ranking metric.
College Scorecard, Field of Study
2020-21 cohortsMedian graduate earnings one year after completion, and median debt.
Census Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes
latest availableGraduate earnings 1/5/10 years out, where the state participates.
NCES CIP 2020 and the CIP-to-SOC 2018 crosswalk
CIP 2020 / SOC 2018Which college programs officially lead to this occupation.
O*NET Database 30.3
30.3Tasks, skills, knowledge, tools, job zone and alternate job titles.
Official source →CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor / ETA
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