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Compensation and Benefits Managers vs Sales Managers: Salary Comparison

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

Side-by-side salary data across all 50 states. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025).

National Salary Overview

Compensation and Benefits Managers

Median Salary
$136,904
Average (Mean)
$150,261
Employed Nationwide
21,540
VS

Sales Managers

Median Salary
$139,365
Average (Mean)
$154,352
Employed Nationwide
623,030
Sales Managers earns $2,460 more (1.8%)
Compensation and Benefits Managers vs Sales Managers national median (BLS 2025)Ranked horizontal bars comparing 2 entries.Compensation and Benefits ManagersCompensation and Benefits Ma…Compensation and Benefits Managers: $136,905$136,905Sales ManagersSales ManagersSales Managers: $139,365$139,365

Key Metrics Compared

Median Salary $136,904 $139,365
Average (Mean) Salary $150,261 $154,352
Total Employment 21,540 623,030
States with Higher Pay 16 28

Salary by State: Compensation and Benefits Managers vs Sales Managers

Showing 44 states where both occupations have BLS data. Compensation and Benefits Managers pays more in 16 states; Sales Managers pays more in 28.

State Compensation and Benefits Managers Sales Managers Difference
Alabama $118,470
$124,040
$-5,570
Alaska $122,490
$98,860
+$23,630
Arizona $129,890
$145,690
$-15,800
Arkansas $100,810
$108,330
$-7,520
California $166,730
$134,910
+$31,820
Colorado $165,770
$180,850
$-15,080
Connecticut $197,970
$162,110
+$35,860
District of Columbia $160,990
$141,800
+$19,190
Florida $127,960
$131,900
$-3,940
Georgia $163,060
$159,890
+$3,170
Hawaii $110,120
$116,340
$-6,220
Idaho $90,020
$135,350
$-45,330
Illinois $151,730
$155,280
$-3,550
Indiana $118,180
$131,470
$-13,290
Iowa $118,250
$134,010
$-15,760
Kansas $114,070
$159,990
$-45,920
Kentucky $114,290
$128,650
$-14,360
Louisiana $99,840
$110,700
$-10,860
Maine $129,690
$158,660
$-28,970
Maryland $139,860
$137,150
+$2,710
Massachusetts $184,070
$191,200
$-7,130
Michigan $151,620
$136,870
+$14,750
Minnesota $163,390
$151,670
+$11,720
Mississippi $89,250
$108,750
$-19,500
Missouri $106,490
$115,370
$-8,880
Nebraska $121,630
$126,990
$-5,360
Nevada $115,180
$109,790
+$5,390
New Hampshire $136,950
$141,900
$-4,950
New Jersey $168,370
$173,020
$-4,650
New Mexico $124,390
$114,080
+$10,310
New York $175,620
$217,640
$-42,020
North Carolina $135,240
$150,470
$-15,230
Ohio $141,920
$135,510
+$6,410
Oklahoma $107,760
$128,920
$-21,160
Oregon $161,470
$155,810
+$5,660
Pennsylvania $139,040
$130,610
+$8,430
Rhode Island $149,340
$154,970
$-5,630
South Carolina $99,630
$131,080
$-31,450
Tennessee $132,780
$128,040
+$4,740
Texas $136,930
$136,020
+$910
Utah $132,620
$136,520
$-3,900
Virginia $153,660
$191,130
$-37,470
Washington $199,190
$174,000
+$25,190
Wisconsin $127,920
$134,870
$-6,950

Explore This Comparison by State

Dive deeper — see how Compensation and Benefits Managers vs Sales Managers salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who makes more: Compensation and Benefits Managers or Sales Managers?
On average across all states, a Sales Managers earns more than a Compensation and Benefits Managers. The national median salary difference is $2,460 (1.8%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Compensation and Benefits Managers earn more than a Sales Managers?
A Compensation and Benefits Managers earns a higher median salary than a Sales Managers in 16 out of 44 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Sales Managers pays more in 28 states.
What is the median salary for a Compensation and Benefits Managers vs Sales Managers?
The national median salary for a Compensation and Benefits Managers is $136,904 per year, compared to $139,365 for a Sales Managers, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Compensation and Benefits Managers or Sales Managers?
There are more people employed as Sales Managers. BLS reports approximately 21,540 Compensation and Benefits Managers positions and 623,030 Sales Managers positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Compensation and Benefits Managers or Sales Managers?
Both Compensation and Benefits Managers 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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