Natural Sciences Manager Salary in San Diego, CA
Natural Sciences Managers in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn a median $207,200 a year — 24% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $136,496 take-home, or $11,375 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median natural sciences manager salary in San Diego, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$38,462
- Social Security (6.2%)$11,439
- Medicare (1.45%)$3,069
- California income tax$15,040
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$2,694
- Take-home pay$136,496
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 9.30% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Natural Sciences Manager pay by experience in San Diego, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $132,560 | $63.73 | $92,049 | $7,671 |
| 25th percentile | $169,220 | $81.36 | $113,220 | $9,435 |
| Median (50th) | $207,200 | $99.62 | $136,496 | $11,375 |
| 75th percentile | $291,930+ | $140.35 | $183,406 | $15,284 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $319,260+ | $153.49 | $197,631 | $16,469 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $207,200 buys in San Diego, CA
Prices in San Diego, CA are 11.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.79× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median natural sciences manager's $136,496 take-home pay has the buying power of $121,995 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
San Diego, CA 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
San Diego, CA ranks #3 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.
Natural Sciences Manager salaries elsewhere in California
- San Francisco, CA — $225,230
- Los Angeles, CA — $193,340
Frequently asked questions
How much does a natural sciences manager make in San Diego, CA?
The median natural sciences manager salary in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area is $207,200 a year, or about $99.62 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $169,220 and $239,200+.
What is a natural sciences manager’s take-home pay in San Diego, CA?
On the median $207,200 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $136,496 a year ($11,375 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $17,734 in California taxes in 2026.
Is San Diego, CA a good place to work as a natural sciences manager?
Pay here is 24% above the national median of $167,220. Local prices are 11.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $121,995 would in a typical U.S. city. San Diego, CA ranks #3 of 8 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a natural sciences manager afford rent in San Diego, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in San Diego, CA is $2,459 a month ($3,001 for two bedrooms) — 22% of a median natural sciences manager’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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