Natural Sciences Manager Salary in San Jose, CA
Natural Sciences Managers in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area earn a median $263,810 a year — 58% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $168,514 take-home, or $14,043 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median natural sciences manager salary in San Jose, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$55,723
- Social Security (6.2%)$11,439
- Medicare (1.45%)$4,400
- California income tax$20,305
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$3,430
- Take-home pay$168,514
Marginal rate: 32% federal + 9.30% state
Natural Sciences Manager pay by experience in San Jose, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $157,910 | $75.92 | $106,689 | $8,891 |
| 25th percentile | $204,900 | $98.51 | $135,046 | $11,254 |
| Median (50th) | $263,810+ | $126.83 | $168,514 | $14,043 |
| 75th percentile | $322,490+ | $155.04 | $199,312 | $16,609 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $333,270+ | $160.23 | $204,923 | $17,077 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $263,810 buys in San Jose, CA
Prices in San Jose, CA are 10.4% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 2.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median natural sciences manager's $168,514 take-home pay has the buying power of $152,608 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 Jose, CA has 1.5× 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 Jose, CA ranks #2 of 33 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 Jose, CA | $239,200+ | $168,514 | $152,608 |
| 3 | Worcester, MA | $212,600 | $147,797 | $144,160 |
| 4 | Seattle, WA | $203,150 | $151,247 | $136,095 |
| 5 | Durham, NC | $183,540 | $129,901 | $133,134 |
| 6 | San Francisco, CA | $225,230 | $147,276 | $127,387 |
| 7 | Charlotte, NC | $173,160 | $123,221 | $126,577 |
| 8 | Raleigh, NC | $173,510 | $123,446 | $125,764 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 33 metros →
Natural Sciences Manager salaries elsewhere in California
- San Francisco, CA — $225,230
- San Diego, CA — $207,200
- Los Angeles, CA — $193,340
- Sacramento, CA — $170,010
Frequently asked questions
How much does a natural sciences manager make in San Jose, CA?
The median natural sciences manager salary in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area is $263,810 a year, or about $126.83 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $204,900 and $239,200+.
What is a natural sciences manager’s take-home pay in San Jose, CA?
On the median $263,810 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $168,514 a year ($14,043 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $23,734 in California taxes in 2026.
Is San Jose, CA a good place to work as a natural sciences manager?
Pay here is 58% above the national median of $167,220. Local prices are 10.4% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $152,608 would in a typical U.S. city. San Jose, CA ranks #2 of 33 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a natural sciences manager afford rent in San Jose, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in San Jose, CA is $2,957 a month ($3,464 for two bedrooms) — 21% of a median natural sciences manager’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in San Jose, CA
- Computer and Information Systems Manager — $239,200+
- Architectural and Engineering Manager — $234,590
- Marketing Manager — $231,370
- Training and Development Manager — $230,020
- Financial Manager — $225,280
- Human Resources Manager — $220,460
- Managers, All Other — $217,280
- Public Relations Manager — $213,510
- Sales Manager — $201,780
- Purchasing Manager — $198,980
- Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers — $177,400
- Medical and Health Services Manager — $171,210