National Salary Overview
VS
Chief Executives earns $72,776 more (52.0%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$212,618
$139,842
Average (Mean) Salary
$263,025
$146,959
Total Employment
145,980
84,150
States with Higher Pay
42
3
Salary by State: Chief Executives vs Purchasing Managers
Showing 45 states where both occupations have BLS data. Chief Executives pays more in 42 states; Purchasing Managers pays more in 3.
| State | Chief Executives | Purchasing Managers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $166,420 | $130,710 | +$35,710 | ||
| Alaska | $166,710 | $114,650 | +$52,060 | ||
| Arkansas | $119,990 | $156,450 | $-36,460 | ||
| California | $218,600 | $159,830 | +$58,770 | ||
| Colorado | $213,370 | $171,250 | +$42,120 | ||
| Connecticut | $295,120 | $138,680 | +$156,440 | ||
| Georgia | $208,180 | $155,360 | +$52,820 | ||
| Hawaii | $281,640 | $113,490 | +$168,150 | ||
| Idaho | $177,210 | $136,970 | +$40,240 | ||
| Illinois | $331,920 | $153,370 | +$178,550 | ||
| Indiana | $254,180 | $126,880 | +$127,300 | ||
| Iowa | $211,190 | $121,580 | +$89,610 | ||
| Kansas | $158,100 | $159,850 | $-1,750 | ||
| Kentucky | $179,530 | $124,350 | +$55,180 | ||
| Maine | $138,770 | $135,970 | +$2,800 | ||
| Maryland | $248,660 | $161,470 | +$87,190 | ||
| Michigan | $255,560 | $142,120 | +$113,440 | ||
| Minnesota | $195,670 | $144,810 | +$50,860 | ||
| Mississippi | $139,250 | $122,940 | +$16,310 | ||
| Missouri | $172,320 | $132,100 | +$40,220 | ||
| Montana | $182,340 | $123,480 | +$58,860 | ||
| Nebraska | $214,680 | $124,010 | +$90,670 | ||
| Nevada | $149,770 | $120,270 | +$29,500 | ||
| New Hampshire | $168,590 | $162,900 | +$5,690 | ||
| New Jersey | $310,440 | $174,520 | +$135,920 | ||
| New Mexico | $123,500 | $134,790 | $-11,290 | ||
| New York | $257,980 | $166,300 | +$91,680 | ||
| North Carolina | $314,290 | $138,710 | +$175,580 | ||
| North Dakota | $164,560 | $130,110 | +$34,450 | ||
| Ohio | $176,440 | $134,580 | +$41,860 | ||
| Oklahoma | $163,790 | $119,310 | +$44,480 | ||
| Oregon | $341,630 | $137,190 | +$204,440 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $232,560 | $141,790 | +$90,770 | ||
| Rhode Island | $235,360 | $134,560 | +$100,800 | ||
| South Carolina | $168,840 | $131,720 | +$37,120 | ||
| South Dakota | $280,900 | $128,670 | +$152,230 | ||
| Tennessee | $198,830 | $137,060 | +$61,770 | ||
| Texas | $257,850 | $134,670 | +$123,180 | ||
| Utah | $171,880 | $125,940 | +$45,940 | ||
| Vermont | $175,070 | $135,720 | +$39,350 | ||
| Virginia | $310,740 | $166,230 | +$144,510 | ||
| Washington | $339,810 | $162,730 | +$177,080 | ||
| West Virginia | $151,950 | $147,220 | +$4,730 | ||
| Wisconsin | $208,350 | $124,990 | +$83,360 | ||
| Wyoming | $147,940 | $123,380 | +$24,560 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Chief Executives vs Purchasing Managers salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Chief Executives or Purchasing Managers?
On average across all states, a Chief Executives earns more than a Purchasing Managers. The national median salary difference is $72,776 (52.0%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Chief Executives earn more than a Purchasing Managers?
A Chief Executives earns a higher median salary than a Purchasing Managers in 42 out of 45 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Purchasing Managers pays more in 3 states.
What is the median salary for a Chief Executives vs Purchasing Managers?
The national median salary for a Chief Executives is $212,618 per year, compared to $139,842 for a Purchasing Managers, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Chief Executives or Purchasing Managers?
There are more people employed as Chief Executives. BLS reports approximately 145,980 Chief Executives positions and 84,150 Purchasing Managers positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Chief Executives or Purchasing Managers?
Both Chief Executives and Purchasing Managers 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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