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US job code 11-9121High change by 2035

Natural Sciences Managers

Machines can already do 36% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 60%. The job changes before it disappears.

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Share of the work machines can do

Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050

100%75%50%25%20262035205036%Half: 2031

Natural Sciences Managers in 2026: the short answer

  • Today: machines can do 36% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 6% of them.
  • Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2031, and 60% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
  • Size: 108,690 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $167,220 a year.
  • Contact with people: it scores 69% for contact with people.
  • Also called: Analytical Services Manager, Chemical Engineer Supervisor, Chemical Process Exploration Manager, Environmental Program Manager.
  • Competency here means how well the best AI model, tool or robot available can do a task, scored out of 100: today using the best available now, and for later years the 311 prediction of what AI and robots will be able to do.

Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.

Machines can do today
36%of the tasks, 2026
By 2035
60%half the tasks by 2031
US median pay
$167,220a year, May 2025
US jobs
109k108,690 people
Contact with people
69%how people-facing
Step 1AnticipateWhat is changing? Free to everyone

How the work changes, task by task

The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.

TaskShare of the dayMachines can do2026 to 2035
Plan or direct research, development, or production activities14%
13% to 37%
Hire, supervise, or evaluate engineers, technicians, researchers, or other staff12%
22% to 48%
Review project activities and prepare and review research, testing, or operational reports12%
82% to 97%
Confer with scientists, engineers, regulators, or others to plan or review projects or to provide technical assistance12%
25% to 55%
Design or coordinate successive phases of problem analysis, solution proposals, or testing8%
15% to 40%
Develop client relationships and communicate with clients to explain proposals, present research findings, establish specifications, or discuss project status7%
25% to 52%
Determine scientific or technical goals within broad outlines provided by top management and make detailed plans to accomplish these goals6%
35% to 65%
Prepare project proposals6%
70% to 95%
Step 2AssessWhy should I care? Free to everyone

The skills this job runs on

The skills natural sciences managers use most, most used first.

Learning aptitude and mindsetLeadershipProfessionalism and work ethicCreative and innovative thinkingInterdisciplinary thinkingManagementOperations and processIT and softwareResearch methodsAdaptability and resilienceCollaborationCommunicationEntrepreneurial mindsetMoral intelligence and integrityAnalysis and dataTeaching and trainingCritical thinking and problem solvingEmotional intelligenceInterpersonal skillsSelf-management

Human value: what makes people in this job hard to replace

How much natural sciences managers rely on each one, from 0 to 10. 311 estimates, medium confidence.

  • Go-to problem solver9/10
  • Trust and reliability8/10
  • Know-how about the organisation10/10
  • Network and relationships7/10
  • Mentoring and developing others9/10
  • Culture and morale10/10
  • Initiative beyond the role9/10
  • Calm in a crisis8/10
  • Bridge between teams10/10
  • Reputation and influence8/10

Safer jobs nearby

Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.

Step 3ActWhat do I do about it? Free plan and up
What do I do about it

What should you do about it?

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Questions

When will machines do half of the tasks of Natural Sciences Managers?

Machines can do half of its tasks by 2031. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.

Will AI take the job of natural sciences managers?

Machines can do 36% of the tasks of natural sciences managers today and 60% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.

Sources and citing

Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 11-9121.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring, forecast and human value: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit (human value scores are 311 estimates, medium confidence); after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.

Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Natural Sciences Managers: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/natural-sciences-managers/