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.
AI Impact Summary
Natural Sciences Managers faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 27/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 26% of all analyzed occupations. Of 16 analyzed tasks, 1 are highly automatable, particularly routine cognitive tasks. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Negotiation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (7)
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Natural Sciences Managers skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
Get personalized recommendations. Answer a few questions about your experience and skills to get course suggestions tailored specifically to you.
Upskill to Reduce Risk
Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills
SQL Fundamentals Skill Track
by DataCamp
Estimated Impact
AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Creative Writing Specialization
by Wesleyan University
Estimated Impact
Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Leading People and Teams Specialization
by University of Michigan
Estimated Impact
We may earn a commission when you enroll through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the Takeover Tracker.
Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
How AI Impacts Each Task
16 tasks analyzed
Confer with scientists, engineers, regulators, or others to plan or review projects or to provide technical assistance.
Develop client relationships and communicate with clients to explain proposals, present research findings, establish specifications, or discuss project status.
Plan or direct research, development, or production activities.
Review project activities and prepare and review research, testing, or operational reports.
Develop or implement policies, standards, or procedures for the architectural, scientific, or technical work performed to ensure regulatory compliance or operations enhancement.
Determine scientific or technical goals within broad outlines provided by top management and make detailed plans to accomplish these goals.
Design or coordinate successive phases of problem analysis, solution proposals, or testing.
Hire, supervise, or evaluate engineers, technicians, researchers, or other staff.
Recruit personnel or oversee the development or maintenance of staff competence.
Prepare project proposals.
Provide for stewardship of plant or animal resources or habitats, studying land use, monitoring animal populations, or providing shelter, resources, or medical treatment for animals.
Conduct own research in field of expertise.
Prepare and administer budgets, approve and review expenditures, and prepare financial reports.
Make presentations at professional meetings to further knowledge in the field.
Develop innovative technology or train staff for its implementation.
Advise or assist in obtaining patents or meeting other legal requirements.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Confer with scientists, engineers, regulators, or others to plan or review projects or to provide technical assistance. | 15Estimated | 21.0% | 10% | |
| Develop client relationships and communicate with clients to explain proposals, present research findings, establish specifications, or discuss project status. | 54.17Observed | 36.7% | 10% | |
| Plan or direct research, development, or production activities. | 40Estimated | 43.0% | 12% | |
| Review project activities and prepare and review research, testing, or operational reports. | 35.65Observed | 41.3% | 8% | |
| Develop or implement policies, standards, or procedures for the architectural, scientific, or technical work performed to ensure regulatory compliance or operations enhancement. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 6% | |
| Determine scientific or technical goals within broad outlines provided by top management and make detailed plans to accomplish these goals. | 40Estimated | 43.0% | 8% | |
| Design or coordinate successive phases of problem analysis, solution proposals, or testing. | 55Estimated | 49.0% | 8% | |
| Hire, supervise, or evaluate engineers, technicians, researchers, or other staff. | 15Estimated | 21.0% | 8% | |
| Recruit personnel or oversee the development or maintenance of staff competence. | 20Estimated | 23.0% | 5% | |
| Prepare project proposals. | 62.02Observed | 51.8% | 6% | |
| Provide for stewardship of plant or animal resources or habitats, studying land use, monitoring animal populations, or providing shelter, resources, or medical treatment for animals. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 3% | |
| Conduct own research in field of expertise. | 66.1Observed | 53.4% | 5% | |
| Prepare and administer budgets, approve and review expenditures, and prepare financial reports. | 87Estimated | 84.0% | 5% | |
| Make presentations at professional meetings to further knowledge in the field. | 20Estimated | 23.0% | 2% | |
| Develop innovative technology or train staff for its implementation. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 2% | |
| Advise or assist in obtaining patents or meeting other legal requirements. | 49.6Observed | 46.8% | 2% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 31.8%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$161,180
per year
Mean Wage
$173,500
per year
Employment
101K
workers
Wage Range
$79,830 - $239,200
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
Explore other career paths
Compare displacement risk across occupations and find careers with stronger long-term prospects.
Alternate Career Paths
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Higher risk than 26% of other occupations
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
29%Median salary: $72,860
Higher risk than 31% of other occupations
Animal Scientists
30%Median salary: $79,120
Higher risk than 38% of other occupations
Biologists
30%Median salary: $93,340
Higher risk than 39% of other occupations
Soil and Water Conservationists
32%Median salary: $67,950
Higher risk than 50% of other occupations
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
32%Median salary: $80,060
Higher risk than 51% of other occupations
Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary
32%Median salary: $100,830
Higher risk than 53% of other occupations
Materials Scientists
34%Median salary: $104,160
Higher risk than 63% of other occupations
Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists
34%Median salary: $117,960
Higher risk than 64% of other occupations
Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary
35%Median salary: $86,220
Higher risk than 65% of other occupations
Sales Managers
25%Higher risk than 20% of other occupations
Chief Executives
26%Higher risk than 23% of other occupations
General and Operations Managers
28%Higher risk than 29% of other occupations
Marketing Managers
30%Higher risk than 38% of other occupations
Advertising and Promotions Managers
31%Higher risk than 43% of other occupations
Computer and Information Systems Managers
31%Higher risk than 45% of other occupations
Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Natural Sciences Managers professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Reading Comprehension
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Information Ordering
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Leadership
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Complex Problem Solving
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Social Perceptiveness
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Coordination
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Writing
Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Monitoring
Monitoring will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Score History
Risk score over 3 scoring runs
overall change