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Job outlook for senior scientist, project managers in the United States
Are senior scientist, project manager jobs in demand?
Senior scientist, project manager job and salary trends over time
Senior scientist, project manager jobs over time
Senior scientist, project manager job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 206 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 209 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 187 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 166 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 155 | 0.00% |
Average senior scientist, project manager salary over time
Senior scientist, project manager salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $100,646 | $48.39 | +6.8% |
| 2024 | $94,196 | $45.29 | +4.2% |
| 2023 | $90,372 | $43.45 | +4.1% |
| 2022 | $86,805 | $41.73 | --0.7% |
| 2021 | $87,447 | $42.04 | --0.3% |
Senior scientist, project manager jobs by state
Most common states for senior scientist, project managers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 597 | 86% |
| 2 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 2,757 | 33% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,186 | 32% |
| 4 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,951 | 32% |
| 5 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 402 | 30% |
| 6 | Delaware | 961,939 | 293 | 30% |
| 7 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 227 | 30% |
| 8 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,998 | 27% |
| 9 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,481 | 27% |
| 10 | Vermont | 623,657 | 160 | 26% |
| 11 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 268 | 25% |
| 12 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 2,133 | 24% |
| 13 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 1,001 | 24% |
| 14 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 209 | 24% |
| 15 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 433 | 23% |
| 16 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 1,258 | 22% |
| 17 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 469 | 22% |
| 18 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 228 | 22% |
| 19 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 125 | 22% |
| 20 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 356 | 21% |
Most common cities for senior scientist, project managers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alameda | 1 | 1% | $112,495 |
| 2 | Schaumburg | 1 | 1% | $96,177 |
| 3 | San Francisco | 2 | 0% | $112,642 |
| 4 | Orlando | 1 | 0% | $73,499 |
Senior Scientist, Project Manager job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of senior scientist, project manager experts
Kent State University
Drake University
Gonzaga University
Quinnipiac University
Ohio State University
Gannon University
Lafayette College
Kennesaw State University
Southwestern University
West Virginia Wesleyan College
Franklin and Marshall College
Dickinson State University
Michigan State University
George Mason University
Creighton University
The College of New Jersey
Stevenson University
University of Wisconsin - Platteville
Doverspike Consulting/HR LItehouse
What Senior Scientist, Project Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Christopher Post PhD: Geographic Information Science—the ability to take field data and make it visual with maps so that you and others can witness and analyze spatial relations is the most important skill set in environmental careers right now and will continue as such. Everything in nature moves—albeit sometimes slowly—and understanding those interactions is key to unfolding humanity’s impacts on the environment, and vice versa.
Keith Summerville
Levitt Distinguished Professor of Environmental Science, Paul and Claudia Schickler Executive Director, Jay N. Darling InstituteDrake University
Natural Resources Conservation And Research
What Senior Scientist, Project Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Keith Summerville: 1. To anyone getting a start in this field- build your professional network as early as possible- attend volunteer work days, try going to low cost local conferences or meetings (local Audubon Societies, Iowa Prairie Network, Society for Ecological Restoration Midwest Chapter, Ducks Unlimited). The more people in the field you know, the more opportunities you will be exposed to.
Dr. Greg Gordon Professor/Chair
Professor/ChairGonzaga University
Natural Resources Conservation And Research
What will help Senior Scientist, Project Managers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Greg Gordon Professor/Chair: We find that graphical information systems (GIS) skills are in high demand. Soft skills such as ability to work as a team, develop work plans, collaborate and communicate with diverse stakeholders, communicate technical and scientific information, are, and will be very important in the near and long term future.
Lisa Cuchara Ph.D.
Professor of Biomedical SciencesQuinnipiac University
Microbiological Sciences And Immunology
What Senior Scientist, Project Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Lisa Cuchara Ph.D.: The first and foremost would be Critical Thinking. We live in a world where facts can be easily acquired, sometimes even by asking Siri/Alexa/ChatGPT/Google/etc. But critical thinking is timeless and priceless. I can ask anyone on the street what xyz is and they can look it up, but can they provide advice or interpret.
Also being a good steward towards science and being willing and able to communicate not just with peers as we are trained, but also with the public, the politicians, the board members. John Holdren*, stated that Scientists should be tithing at least 10 percent of their time to public service ... including activism. In the ever growing science denialism that is happening in our country being able to communicate science with the public is important. As Peter Hotaz states, "Anti-science propaganda is "killing Americans in unprecedented numbers,""
*Holdren is an American scientist who served as the senior advisor to President Barack Obama on science and technology issues through his roles as assistant to the president for science and technology, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and co-chair of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology and a Research Professor in Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government
What will help Senior Scientist, Project Managers increase their earning potential?
Lisa Cuchara Ph.D.: Be passionate! Be curious! When I write a letter of recommendation I write a little about the obligatory "IQ" elements, how well their exam/assignment/course grade were, then I speak to their EQ, are they kind, helpful, respectful, considerate, etc. and I try to include an example of something that I witnessed regarding EQ. But the majority of the letter discussing PQ and CQ, their passion quotient and their curiosity quotient. A can write a much much better LOR for a student with high PQ and CQ than I can for one with just good grades. What have they read and what do they do in their spare time (and don't say that you can't afford a hobby, you can't afford not to have a hobby or an outlet, otherwise stress takes too much of a toll. Some of my most memorable student conversations are conversations that involved their curiosity, like a conversation about Bonnie Bassler's quorum sensing. Make sure that as you go through life you embrace Einstein's quote 'There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.'
The second piece of advice is: Know what you know, know what you don't know, be willing to admit what you don't know, and don't be afraid to ask questions, but try not to ask questions about simple things that one can easily look up as that indicates laziness rather than inquisitiveness.
The third piece of other advice would be to never give up. As "Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not: nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not: the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent." Calvin Coolidge
Dr. Laura Deeter PhD
Professor of Practice: Horticulture and Crop ScienceOhio State University
Applied Horticulture And Horticultural Business Services
What Senior Scientist, Project Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Laura Deeter PhD: There are more than enough positions out there to find one with a good starting salary. Apply for as many as you can.
Be willing to relocate to another city or state.
Liu Cao Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Environmental Science & Engr.Gannon University
Natural Resources Conservation And Research
What Senior Scientist, Project Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Liu Cao Ph.D.: In the evolving landscape of environmental science, key skills poised to gain prominence over the next 3-5 years, in my opinion, include data analysis and environmental modeling, essential for interpreting complex datasets and predicting trends. Proficiency in GIS and remote sensing will become increasingly vital for monitoring environmental changes and managing resources efficiently. Additionally, a deep understanding of climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies will be crucial as professionals seek to address global warming's pressing challenges. These skills, combined with interdisciplinary collaboration and effective communication, will equip environmental scientists to tackle the multifaceted issues facing our planet.
What general advice would you give to a Senior Scientist, Project Manager?
Aaron Haines Ph.D., Certified Wildlife Biologist ®: Having more technical skill sets can help you get entry level positions that can lead to higher pay positions. These include the ability to extract DNA from biological samples and understand the process of DNA sequencing, be familiar with geographical information systems (GIS) software such as ArcPro, ArcGIS, QGIS, be familiar with programming language such as Phyton and R statical programming, and government policies that impact your field of study.
Be a member of a professional organization and attend their conferences. This will allow you the opportunity to learn from others, network, and meet potential future employers.
What will help Senior Scientist, Project Managers increase their earning potential?
Aaron Haines Ph.D., Certified Wildlife Biologist ®: Learn to be a team player and be reliable enough to complete tasks by yourself. Make sure your online presence is one of a professional in your field. Potential employers will search you out online. Have these searches lead to the professional you. The ecology and environmental biology fields are competitive. As a growing professional in these fields, you will begin with lower salaries compared to biology majors in other fields such as the medical, pharmaceutical, and research lab professions. Most government organizations that deal with ecology-based issues, such as natural resources or environmental monitoring, have lower budgets compared to other government departments. Also, non-government organizations that work in these fields are mainly non-profit. The best way to get into these competitive fields is via internships and temporary positions. Experience is key. Temporary positions are low pay, but they provide the building blocks of experience to get you more permanent and better pay positions or entry into graduate school with an assistantship. Graduate assistantships provide opportunities for graduate students to get paid, have benefits, and have tuition covered. That is a good deal. Look for jobs in places you would never think to look. Examples of unique employers in these fields include private consulting organizations, research labs doing environmental work, and Department of Defense.
What Senior Scientist, Project Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Aaron Haines Ph.D., Certified Wildlife Biologist ®: The current most prevalent skill sets and qualifications for students interested in the ecology and environmental fields include good communication through speaking and writing. It is important to be able to communicate as an effective team member, communicate with private landowners, volunteers, and to the public for education purposes. Writing skills will be important for correctly recording data, completing certifications, helping to write grants (and other fundraising efforts) and completing reports.
Be in good physical condition to complete fieldwork and gather data. Sometimes you will be deep in the field and off-trail. The better shape you are in, the better your ability to deal with hot, cold, or humid weather conditions and bothersome insects. Physical exhaustion leads to increased errors in the field.
When in the field, certain professions prefer combinations of the following skills: Use of GPS units, ability to drive 4-wheel drive vehicles and/or ATVs, boating experience, chainsaw, herbicide and pesticide application, identification of flora and fauna, ability access soil and water quality, and prescribed fire experience.
Have standard IT skills to gather data via phone or tablet and be familiar with standard programs such as WORD, EXCEL, and ACCESS.
Future skills will include the ability to gather data remotely from the field (e.g., Lidar spatial data, acoustic recordings, remote cameras, drone data, eDNA) and onto the Could. It will also be beneficial to speak more than one language and be able to develop a strong web presence for your project and organization.
Dru Germanosk Ph.D.
Dr. Ervin R. VanArtsdalen Professor of GeologyLafayette College
Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences
What hard/technical skills are most important for Senior Scientist, Project Managers?
Dru Germanosk Ph.D.: A strong multidisciplinary set of science and engineering courses along with GIS and multidisciplinary courses in environmental courses in Policy, social sciences, and the humanities. Being well-rounded, as well as having a depth of knowledge, is essential. We infuse interdisciplinary problem solving into our curriculum, including a team-based capstone seminar course.
What skills will help Senior Scientist, Project Managers earn the most?
Dru Germanosk Ph.D.: A deep foundation in the sciences with a focus on problem-solving along with the ability to function at the nexus of economics, politics, and policy.
Dr. Dan Ferreira Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Environmental ScienceKennesaw State University
Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology
What Senior Scientist, Project Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Dan Ferreira Ph.D.: I think the best advice I can offer recent graduates is to be as flexible as possible. Being willing to relocate, for example, vastly expands the number of potential jobs they can apply to. Applying for positions that might not be exactly where they want to go, but might give them the experience or skills they need to get to their desired career after a year or two also will help open more doors. So if you can't find your ideal job right away, consider that internship or volunteer opportunity that will make you more marketable in the future.
What skills stand out on Senior Scientist, Project Manager resumes?
Dr. Romi Burks: Certainly, a strong scientific background and understanding of the scientific process would rank as #1 in terms of skills. An environmental scientist needs both to be able to conduct quality sound science but also recognize the strengths and weaknesses in other work.
An Environmental Scientist needs strong communication skills, both oral and written. It is often necessary to explain and/or justify the research associated with the environment and/or "translate" complex environmental phenomena, problems, and solutions into ideas that people understand. Construction of metaphors and parallel situations help.
In terms of "additional skills," a working knowledge and ability to use and incorporate GIS (in simple terms, mapping - but in more complex terms, geographical spatial analysis) set apart many in the field, and the technical nature of this skill set often garners more money in terms of career prospects.
To the rest, I would add another quality environmental scientists that readily employ includes critical thinking skills. In this case, professionals must analyze situations for any ethical concerns that could exist and also for the solution that takes into account multiple perspectives. Such work also requires a strong degree of organization.
Joseph Niederhauser Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of BiologyWest Virginia Wesleyan College
Department of Biology and Environmental Science
What skills will help Senior Scientist, Project Managers earn the most?
Joseph Niederhauser Ph.D.: Having technical skills will help you get a job, but more advanced degrees, certificates, and experience using those skills will help you earn more. Even volunteering for state or federal agencies will help you get those skills and experience. Many federal agencies, especially the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, offer directorate programs to get experience prior to finishing your degree, and when you complete your degree, the program will help to place you into a job within the agency.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Senior Scientist, Project Manager job market given the pandemic?
Nicole Jones Young Ph.D.: One big trend we will see is the continuation of working from home. It may not be for all employees every day, but I think that is definitely here to stay. Many employees have been asking for this benefit for years. After almost a year of working from home, many employers that were reluctant in the past have likely realized that employees can still be very productive and they can decrease expenses related to office space.
Another is related to the focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion related efforts. While the majority of the country was quarantined, we all witnessed the same horrific murder of George Floyd, and there was nothing else to distract us from finally directly addressing issues related to race in this country. Many employees of color, and particularly Black employees, are no longer interested in making everyone else around them feel comfortable. Organizations that issued statements and initiatives in the spring will likely be held more accountable than ever before.
Another trend may be the elimination of jobs in their previous iteration. Many companies that have survived, or even thrived, during COVID likely did so by adapting. As such, these organizations may not return to their prior ways of doing business, which may require employees and applicants to increase or highlight a different skill set.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Senior Scientist, Project Managers?
Eric Brevik: At present, I think that is hard to say. Many of our graduates end up in the private consulting sector. Our most recent graduates were able to get good jobs. Of course, a prolonged economic setback, like the one we're currently witnessing, might have an impact on that success. So I think a lot of this depends on how long the pandemic lasts and how much of a hit the economy takes.
What Senior Scientist, Project Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Berkley Walker: Data science skills. Coursera and similar platforms offer excellent data science courses. These skills are in demand and will complement any in-person lab experience that you may miss out on if you have to delay an internship or graduate school. I would recommend courses in general bioinformatics, machine learning, and statistics.
I would also recommend that you connect with any professors whose work you are interested in from your undergraduate institution and ask for an opportunity to apply some of your computational skills. This is a good way to get meaningful experience and set up a solid letter of recommendation. It is very difficult to write a letter of recommendation for a student who I only interacted with in a classroom setting, regardless of how diligent they were.
A. Alonso Aguirre Ph.D.
Department Chair & ProfessorGeorge Mason University
Environmental Science and Policy
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Senior Scientist, Project Managers in the next 3-5 years?
A. Alonso Aguirre Ph.D.: The fastest jobs in the next 3-5 years are green jobs with great salaries! They will be highly technical and will require specialized skills, including photovoltaic installers, wind turbine technicians, hazardous materials removal techs, so technologies in those areas linked to environmental engineering, climate change modeling, and prediction; all will be an asset. However, we will see a great need for environmental scientists, protected area managers, and conservation scientists working with endangered species and ecosystems. Basic biological, ecological field, and lab skills will be an asset.
How would you rate the starting salaries for Senior Scientist, Project Managers, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
A. Alonso Aguirre Ph.D.: Salaries will be great, depending on skills and area of expertise; they can go for as low as $40k as a zookeeper/tech to $100k wind turbine/solar photovoltaic tech. Specialized training with an MS or Ph.D. degree can get you starting salaries around $70k
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Senior Scientist, Project Managers in the next 3-5 years?
April Buschelman: I think virtual learning and working from home are here to stay. I see many more classes being offered online with a mixture of synchronous and asynchronous class sessions. Homeschooling across the country has doubled due to the pandemic, and parents would love to have the option of still having their child(ren) on track and "in" school without needing to plan every piece of the curriculum. A remote option that allows students to come into the school for portions of the day for specials or electives gives parents a great choice. This option would also enable secondary students to work during the day to support themselves or their families.
One other technology that will become more prevalent is the virtual lessons taught through animated videos rather than an actual teacher. Similar to corporate training or the online curriculum alternatives out there, I see this as an option for schools struggling to hire teachers.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Senior Scientist, Project Managers in the next 5 years?
April Buschelman: I think there will be a definite increase in graduates in the next five years. This pandemic is causing many educators to leave the field due to the strain of teaching with multiple restrictions and requirements placed on them to keep everyone safe and healthy. Teachers are split with their desire to be teachers and help students and the teacher's desire to stay healthy and safe. Some are choosing to leave the profession instead and creating this new demand. It will be interesting to see what the future will hold!
Janet Gray Ph.D.
Professor and Department ChairThe College of New Jersey
Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Senior Scientist, Project Managers in the next 3-5 years?
Janet Gray Ph.D.: WGSS graduates enter every employment sector, so technological trends for our graduates will follow various sectors' directions. Among the most common careers for WGSS graduates are law, social work, and education. The capacity to work remotely and do so effectively--may depend more on having access to sound technology and good training, and devising more effective ways to use the tools available, than on any new technology becoming available.
What experience really stands out on Senior Scientist, Project Manager resumes?
Neil Rothman Ph.D.: Above all, demonstrating the ability to apply what you have learned to a practical problem is the best evidence that a candidate will contribute to an organization. Therefore, projects that were undertaken by the candidate (especially team projects) should be highlighted and must include specific contributions made to the project. Since the purpose of the resume is to get an interview, the candidate should have a solid command of the project's overall goals and explain how their contribution was directly related to those goals. The ability to function well on a team is also crucial.
What Senior Scientist, Project Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Neil Rothman Ph.D.: Any gap year experience should be complementary to their degree program and career goals. If they lack a specific skill that is important in their field of choice, they should focus on that. Otherwise, any experience is useful knowledge, but an experience that provides a better perspective on why they are pursuing a particular career would be best. Most jobs require a multidisciplinary approach to problem-solving, but most degree programs don't necessarily provide this. Software development and data analysis will be crucial in almost any career, so that might be something to look at (e.g., Python, R, etc.).
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Senior Scientist, Project Managers in the next 3-5 years?
Neil Rothman Ph.D.: Based on the past year, the rapid development of diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics would seem to be an area that will be very important. I am talking about developing a specific vaccine or therapeutic and the equipment and laboratory methods necessary for their product. Running a diagnostic test on an "easy to acquire" sample will be essential to enable rapid and widespread testing and diagnosis. Detection of pathogens in water and food will likely continue and potentially increase in importance as the effects of climate change impact the water supply.
I also think that the strategy behind diagnostic testing may become more critical. Rather than going for very high sensitivity and specificity, it may be more useful to have a "good" test that can be conducted more quickly and often to prevent disease spread. This directly impacts what technologies are developed and how they are applied.
Afzal Upal
Professor & Department ChairUniversity of Wisconsin - Platteville
Computer Science & Software Engineering Department
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Senior Scientist, Project Manager job market given the pandemic?
Afzal Upal: I believe that this will accelerate the trend towards automation of various aspects of life. This will lead to automation technologies' rapid growth, particularly Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (incredibly deep learning). I do not believe that work from home (WFH) will continue at the high levels at which it is currently happening in the middle of the current pandemic. Although post-pandemic, WFH will continue at a higher level than it was happening in February 2020. Differences in employee productivity, however small, will force most employers to ask many employees to return to their offices. The trend toward automation yet will continue and will lead to an even more massive expansion of jobs in computer science.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Senior Scientist, Project Managers in the next 3-5 years?
Afzal Upal: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, as discussed above. I also see rapid growth in epidemiology and public health, given their prominence in the news and given the fact that governments and research institutions, at all levels, will be bolstering their epidemiology and public health personnel.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Senior Scientist, Project Managers in the next 5 years?
Afzal Upal: I do see an increase in demand for graduates in both Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning and epidemiology/public health, even in the longer time horizon of 5 years. This is because AI/ML jobs were growing, even before the pandemic, and that trend has only accelerated due to the epidemic. I also expect epidemiology and public health to continue to grow because the public has become sensitive to the pandemic. There's no reason to believe that this is the last pandemic we'll see, given the ease with which people can and travel around the globe.
What type of skills will young Senior Scientist, Project Managers need?
Dennis Doverspike Ph.D.: Seemingly a paradox, there will continue to be a need for very general, but highly fungible, skills and demand for too specialized skills, requiring advanced education. Coding, statistics, and data analysis related skills will remain a hot growth area. The aging of the baby boomers will create demand for medical and healthcare-related regions, especially nursing, nursing aides, and emergency services. Despite the automation of many people facing jobs, there will continue to be a demand for interpersonal and people skills, including various types of sales. The switch to remote work, due to COVID, will create a substantial future market to fill the leadership and managerial skills gap. In many areas of Technology and engineering, it is already challenging to find a combination of technical knowledge and people skills, and this demand will intensify.