National Salary Overview
VS
Chief Executives earns $76,510 more (56.2%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$212,618
$136,108
Average (Mean) Salary
$263,025
$138,787
Total Employment
145,980
42,810
States with Higher Pay
42
4
Salary by State: Chief Executives vs Optometrists
Showing 46 states where both occupations have BLS data. Chief Executives pays more in 42 states; Optometrists pays more in 4.
| State | Chief Executives | Optometrists | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $166,420 | $145,090 | +$21,330 | ||
| Alaska | $166,710 | $170,310 | $-3,600 | ||
| Arkansas | $119,990 | $124,470 | $-4,480 | ||
| California | $218,600 | $136,300 | +$82,300 | ||
| Colorado | $213,370 | $152,000 | +$61,370 | ||
| Connecticut | $295,120 | $150,340 | +$144,780 | ||
| Delaware | $199,990 | $161,270 | +$38,720 | ||
| Georgia | $208,180 | $128,830 | +$79,350 | ||
| Hawaii | $281,640 | $154,620 | +$127,020 | ||
| Idaho | $177,210 | $103,390 | +$73,820 | ||
| Illinois | $331,920 | $145,620 | +$186,300 | ||
| Indiana | $254,180 | $135,500 | +$118,680 | ||
| Iowa | $211,190 | $125,380 | +$85,810 | ||
| Kansas | $158,100 | $138,580 | +$19,520 | ||
| Kentucky | $179,530 | $128,860 | +$50,670 | ||
| Maine | $138,770 | $154,110 | $-15,340 | ||
| Maryland | $248,660 | $165,840 | +$82,820 | ||
| Michigan | $255,560 | $135,650 | +$119,910 | ||
| Minnesota | $195,670 | $158,700 | +$36,970 | ||
| Mississippi | $139,250 | $108,070 | +$31,180 | ||
| Missouri | $172,320 | $133,810 | +$38,510 | ||
| Montana | $182,340 | $104,280 | +$78,060 | ||
| Nebraska | $214,680 | $125,040 | +$89,640 | ||
| Nevada | $149,770 | $135,650 | +$14,120 | ||
| New Hampshire | $168,590 | $125,560 | +$43,030 | ||
| New Jersey | $310,440 | $159,040 | +$151,400 | ||
| New Mexico | $123,500 | $144,660 | $-21,160 | ||
| New York | $257,980 | $161,140 | +$96,840 | ||
| North Carolina | $314,290 | $161,560 | +$152,730 | ||
| North Dakota | $164,560 | $132,110 | +$32,450 | ||
| Ohio | $176,440 | $134,850 | +$41,590 | ||
| Oklahoma | $163,790 | $97,350 | +$66,440 | ||
| Oregon | $341,630 | $132,020 | +$209,610 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $232,560 | $135,400 | +$97,160 | ||
| Rhode Island | $235,360 | $134,520 | +$100,840 | ||
| South Carolina | $168,840 | $145,950 | +$22,890 | ||
| South Dakota | $280,900 | $102,320 | +$178,580 | ||
| Tennessee | $198,830 | $134,170 | +$64,660 | ||
| Texas | $257,850 | $126,000 | +$131,850 | ||
| Utah | $171,880 | $119,070 | +$52,810 | ||
| Vermont | $175,070 | $137,290 | +$37,780 | ||
| Virginia | $310,740 | $131,570 | +$179,170 | ||
| Washington | $339,810 | $157,560 | +$182,250 | ||
| West Virginia | $151,950 | $118,010 | +$33,940 | ||
| Wisconsin | $208,350 | $139,720 | +$68,630 | ||
| Wyoming | $147,940 | $111,400 | +$36,540 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Chief Executives vs Optometrists salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Chief Executives or Optometrists?
On average across all states, a Chief Executives earns more than a Optometrists. The national median salary difference is $76,510 (56.2%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Chief Executives earn more than a Optometrists?
A Chief Executives earns a higher median salary than a Optometrists in 42 out of 46 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Optometrists pays more in 4 states.
What is the median salary for a Chief Executives vs Optometrists?
The national median salary for a Chief Executives is $212,618 per year, compared to $136,108 for a Optometrists, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Chief Executives or Optometrists?
There are more people employed as Chief Executives. BLS reports approximately 145,980 Chief Executives positions and 42,810 Optometrists positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Chief Executives or Optometrists?
Both Chief Executives and Optometrists are viable career paths. Beyond salary, consider factors like job availability in your state, work-life balance, education requirements, growth potential, and personal interests. Visit each occupation's salary page for state-specific data and career insights.
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