National Salary Overview
VS
Chief Executives earns $73,253 more (52.6%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$212,618
$139,365
Average (Mean) Salary
$263,025
$154,352
Total Employment
145,980
623,030
States with Higher Pay
43
2
Salary by State: Chief Executives vs Sales Managers
Showing 45 states where both occupations have BLS data. Chief Executives pays more in 43 states; Sales Managers pays more in 2.
| State | Chief Executives | Sales Managers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $166,420 | $124,040 | +$42,380 | ||
| Alaska | $166,710 | $98,860 | +$67,850 | ||
| Arkansas | $119,990 | $108,330 | +$11,660 | ||
| California | $218,600 | $134,910 | +$83,690 | ||
| Colorado | $213,370 | $180,850 | +$32,520 | ||
| Connecticut | $295,120 | $162,110 | +$133,010 | ||
| Georgia | $208,180 | $159,890 | +$48,290 | ||
| Hawaii | $281,640 | $116,340 | +$165,300 | ||
| Idaho | $177,210 | $135,350 | +$41,860 | ||
| Illinois | $331,920 | $155,280 | +$176,640 | ||
| Indiana | $254,180 | $131,470 | +$122,710 | ||
| Iowa | $211,190 | $134,010 | +$77,180 | ||
| Kansas | $158,100 | $159,990 | $-1,890 | ||
| Kentucky | $179,530 | $128,650 | +$50,880 | ||
| Maine | $138,770 | $158,660 | $-19,890 | ||
| Maryland | $248,660 | $137,150 | +$111,510 | ||
| Michigan | $255,560 | $136,870 | +$118,690 | ||
| Minnesota | $195,670 | $151,670 | +$44,000 | ||
| Mississippi | $139,250 | $108,750 | +$30,500 | ||
| Missouri | $172,320 | $115,370 | +$56,950 | ||
| Montana | $182,340 | $117,390 | +$64,950 | ||
| Nebraska | $214,680 | $126,990 | +$87,690 | ||
| Nevada | $149,770 | $109,790 | +$39,980 | ||
| New Hampshire | $168,590 | $141,900 | +$26,690 | ||
| New Jersey | $310,440 | $173,020 | +$137,420 | ||
| New Mexico | $123,500 | $114,080 | +$9,420 | ||
| New York | $257,980 | $217,640 | +$40,340 | ||
| North Carolina | $314,290 | $150,470 | +$163,820 | ||
| North Dakota | $164,560 | $119,990 | +$44,570 | ||
| Ohio | $176,440 | $135,510 | +$40,930 | ||
| Oklahoma | $163,790 | $128,920 | +$34,870 | ||
| Oregon | $341,630 | $155,810 | +$185,820 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $232,560 | $130,610 | +$101,950 | ||
| Rhode Island | $235,360 | $154,970 | +$80,390 | ||
| South Carolina | $168,840 | $131,080 | +$37,760 | ||
| South Dakota | $280,900 | $136,360 | +$144,540 | ||
| Tennessee | $198,830 | $128,040 | +$70,790 | ||
| Texas | $257,850 | $136,020 | +$121,830 | ||
| Utah | $171,880 | $136,520 | +$35,360 | ||
| Vermont | $175,070 | $138,650 | +$36,420 | ||
| Virginia | $310,740 | $191,130 | +$119,610 | ||
| Washington | $339,810 | $174,000 | +$165,810 | ||
| West Virginia | $151,950 | $94,830 | +$57,120 | ||
| Wisconsin | $208,350 | $134,870 | +$73,480 | ||
| Wyoming | $147,940 | $129,840 | +$18,100 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Chief Executives vs Sales Managers salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Chief Executives or Sales Managers?
On average across all states, a Chief Executives earns more than a Sales Managers. The national median salary difference is $73,253 (52.6%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Chief Executives earn more than a Sales Managers?
A Chief Executives earns a higher median salary than a Sales Managers in 43 out of 45 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Sales Managers pays more in 2 states.
What is the median salary for a Chief Executives vs Sales Managers?
The national median salary for a Chief Executives is $212,618 per year, compared to $139,365 for a Sales Managers, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Chief Executives or Sales Managers?
There are more people employed as Sales Managers. BLS reports approximately 145,980 Chief Executives positions and 623,030 Sales Managers positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Chief Executives or Sales Managers?
Both Chief Executives and Sales 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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