Natural Sciences Manager Salary in San Francisco, CA
Natural Sciences Managers in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area earn a median $225,230 a year — 35% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $147,276 take-home, or $12,273 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median natural sciences manager salary in San Francisco, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$43,378
- Social Security (6.2%)$11,439
- Medicare (1.45%)$3,493
- California income tax$16,717
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$2,928
- Take-home pay$147,276
Marginal rate: 32% 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 Francisco, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $158,270 | $76.09 | $106,897 | $8,908 |
| 25th percentile | $184,110 | $88.51 | $121,819 | $10,152 |
| Median (50th) | $225,230 | $108.28 | $147,276 | $12,273 |
| 75th percentile | $322,670+ | $155.13 | $199,406 | $16,617 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $338,660+ | $162.82 | $207,729 | $17,311 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $225,230 buys in San Francisco, CA
Prices in San Francisco, CA are 15.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.95× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median natural sciences manager's $147,276 take-home pay has the buying power of $127,387 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 Francisco, CA has 3.3× 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 Francisco, CA ranks #2 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 Diego, CA — $207,200
- Los Angeles, CA — $193,340
Frequently asked questions
How much does a natural sciences manager make in San Francisco, CA?
The median natural sciences manager salary in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area is $225,230 a year, or about $108.28 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $184,110 and $239,200+.
What is a natural sciences manager’s take-home pay in San Francisco, CA?
On the median $225,230 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $147,276 a year ($12,273 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $19,645 in California taxes in 2026.
Is San Francisco, CA a good place to work as a natural sciences manager?
Pay here is 35% above the national median of $167,220. Local prices are 15.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $127,387 would in a typical U.S. city. San Francisco, CA ranks #2 of 8 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a natural sciences manager afford rent in San Francisco, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in San Francisco, CA is $2,620 a month ($3,187 for two bedrooms) — 21% of a median natural sciences manager’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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