Natural Sciences Manager Salary in Philadelphia, PA
Natural Sciences Managers in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area earn a median $172,900 a year — 3% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $124,135 take-home, or $10,345 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median natural sciences manager salary in Philadelphia, PA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$30,230
- Social Security (6.2%)$10,720
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,507
- Pennsylvania income tax$5,308
- Take-home pay$124,135
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 3.07% state
Living in Philadelphia? City residents also pay Philadelphia’s Resident Wage Tax — about $6,466 a year on this salary — which lowers take-home pay to $117,669 ($9,806 a month). Choose “Philadelphia” under City income tax in the calculator. Suburban residents usually don’t pay it.
The Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro spans Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland. 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 Philadelphia, PA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,040 | $28.38 | $47,806 | $3,984 |
| 25th percentile | $103,990 | $50.00 | $78,794 | $6,566 |
| Median (50th) | $172,900 | $83.13 | $124,135 | $10,345 |
| 75th percentile | $224,580 | $107.97 | $159,599 | $13,300 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $322,380+ | $154.99 | $219,301 | $18,275 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Pennsylvania resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $172,900 buys in Philadelphia, PA
Prices in Philadelphia, PA are 2.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.13× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median natural sciences manager's $124,135 take-home pay has the buying power of $121,044 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Philadelphia, PA has 2.7× 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
Philadelphia, PA ranks #4 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 Philadelphia, PA?
The median natural sciences manager salary in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area is $172,900 a year, or about $83.13 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $103,990 and $224,580.
What is a natural sciences manager’s take-home pay in Philadelphia, PA?
On the median $172,900 salary, a single filer living in Pennsylvania takes home about $124,135 a year ($10,345 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $5,308 in Pennsylvania taxes in 2026.
Is Philadelphia, PA a good place to work as a natural sciences manager?
Pay here is 3% above the national median of $167,220. Local prices are 2.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $121,044 would in a typical U.S. city. Philadelphia, PA ranks #4 of 8 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a natural sciences manager afford rent in Philadelphia, PA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Philadelphia, PA is $1,520 a month ($1,810 for two bedrooms) — 15% of a median natural sciences manager’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Philadelphia, PA
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- Human Resources Manager — $154,490
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- Administrative Services Manager — $124,850