Natural Sciences Manager Salary in Boston, MA
Natural Sciences Managers in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn a median $239,200+ a year — 74% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $195,208 take-home, or $16,267 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median natural sciences manager salary in Boston, MA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$64,984
- Social Security (6.2%)$11,439
- Medicare (1.45%)$5,039
- Massachusetts income tax$14,330
- Take-home pay$195,208
Marginal rate: 35% federal + 5.00% state
The Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro spans Massachusetts, New Hampshire. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Natural Sciences Manager pay by experience in Boston, MA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $164,570 | $79.12 | $115,741 | $9,645 |
| 25th percentile | $217,370 | $104.50 | $151,072 | $12,589 |
| Median (50th) | $291,000+ | $139.90 | $195,208 | $16,267 |
| 75th percentile | $322,030+ | $154.82 | $213,097 | $17,758 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $330,050+ | $158.68 | $217,721 | $18,143 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Massachusetts resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $239,200+ buys in Boston, MA
Prices in Boston, MA are 8.3% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.48× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median natural sciences manager's $195,208 take-home pay has the buying power of $180,304 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Boston, MA has 5.1× the national concentration of natural sciences manager jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for natural sciences managers, adjusted for cost of living
Boston, MA ranks #1 of 8 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston, MA | $239,200+ | $195,208 | $180,304 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $225,230 | $147,276 | $127,387 |
| 3 | San Diego, CA | $207,200 | $136,496 | $121,995 |
| 4 | Philadelphia, PA | $172,900 | $124,135 | $121,044 |
| 5 | Los Angeles, CA | $193,340 | $127,698 | $112,443 |
| 6 | New York, NY | $180,460 | $125,004 | $111,052 |
| 7 | Washington, DC | $169,060 | $115,417 | $106,000 |
| 8 | Houston, TX | $132,860 | $102,076 | $103,495 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 8 metros →
About the job: natural sciences managers
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- 5 years or more
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +8.2% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a natural sciences manager make in Boston, MA?
The median natural sciences manager salary in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $239,200+ a year, or about $139.90 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $217,370 and $239,200+.
What is a natural sciences manager’s take-home pay in Boston, MA?
On the median $239,200+ salary, a single filer living in Massachusetts takes home about $195,208 a year ($16,267 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $14,330 in Massachusetts taxes in 2026.
Is Boston, MA a good place to work as a natural sciences manager?
Pay here is 74% above the national median of $167,220. Local prices are 8.3% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $180,304 would in a typical U.S. city. Boston, MA ranks #1 of 8 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a natural sciences manager afford rent in Boston, MA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Boston, MA is $2,276 a month ($2,762 for two bedrooms) — 14% of a median natural sciences manager’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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