Dentists, General vs Sales Managers: Salary Comparison

Side-by-side salary data across all 50 states. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024).

National Salary Overview

Dentists, General

Median Salary
$168,417
Average (Mean)
$185,925
Employed Nationwide
111,940
VS

Sales Managers

Median Salary
$132,268
Average (Mean)
$149,870
Employed Nationwide
572,710
Dentists, General earns $36,148 more (27.3%)

Key Metrics Compared

Median Salary $168,417 $132,268
Average (Mean) Salary $185,925 $149,870
Total Employment 111,940 572,710
States with Higher Pay 41 5

Salary by State: Dentists, General vs Sales Managers

Showing 46 states where both occupations have BLS data. Dentists, General pays more in 41 states; Sales Managers pays more in 5.

State Dentists, General Sales Managers Difference
Alabama $161,300
$117,750
+$43,550
Alaska $225,170
$93,050
+$132,120
Arizona $217,570
$122,880
+$94,690
Arkansas $161,010
$121,820
+$39,190
California $167,010
$131,740
+$35,270
Colorado $133,860
$176,700
$-42,840
Connecticut $183,240
$135,920
+$47,320
Delaware $218,150
$186,120
+$32,030
Florida $165,110
$128,810
+$36,300
Georgia $177,060
$141,720
+$35,340
Hawaii $149,660
$117,680
+$31,980
Idaho $168,820
$109,530
+$59,290
Illinois $159,290
$135,680
+$23,610
Indiana $162,110
$117,500
+$44,610
Iowa $162,430
$129,080
+$33,350
Kansas $163,790
$147,800
+$15,990
Kentucky $144,360
$109,300
+$35,060
Louisiana $159,460
$107,340
+$52,120
Maine $206,000
$100,400
+$105,600
Maryland $182,000
$125,600
+$56,400
Michigan $161,720
$141,620
+$20,100
Minnesota $200,570
$134,290
+$66,280
Mississippi $105,510
$107,750
$-2,240
Montana $201,610
$120,820
+$80,790
Nebraska $139,180
$116,470
+$22,710
Nevada $128,400
$103,000
+$25,400
New Hampshire $178,770
$145,000
+$33,770
New Mexico $182,250
$105,010
+$77,240
New York $157,910
$214,010
$-56,100
North Carolina $177,420
$125,270
+$52,150
North Dakota $201,810
$119,960
+$81,850
Ohio $166,980
$134,440
+$32,540
Oklahoma $164,670
$122,000
+$42,670
Oregon $166,470
$125,890
+$40,580
Pennsylvania $165,620
$130,600
+$35,020
Rhode Island $223,830
$158,600
+$65,230
South Carolina $155,050
$122,820
+$32,230
South Dakota $124,330
$161,470
$-37,140
Tennessee $150,220
$132,830
+$17,390
Texas $172,270
$127,560
+$44,710
Utah $127,570
$130,220
$-2,650
Virginia $173,780
$158,000
+$15,780
Washington $171,010
$169,680
+$1,330
West Virginia $156,000
$103,870
+$52,130
Wisconsin $170,850
$134,120
+$36,730
Wyoming $156,000
$137,560
+$18,440

Frequently Asked Questions

Who makes more: Dentists, General or Sales Managers?
On average across all states, a Dentists, General earns more than a Sales Managers. The national median salary difference is $36,148 (27.3%) based on 2024 BLS data.
In how many states does a Dentists, General earn more than a Sales Managers?
A Dentists, General earns a higher median salary than a Sales Managers in 41 out of 46 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Sales Managers pays more in 5 states.
What is the median salary for a Dentists, General vs Sales Managers?
The national median salary for a Dentists, General is $168,417 per year, compared to $132,268 for a Sales Managers, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Dentists, General or Sales Managers?
There are more people employed as Sales Managers. BLS reports approximately 111,940 Dentists, General positions and 572,710 Sales Managers positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Dentists, General or Sales Managers?
Both Dentists, General 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.

Compare After-Tax Take-Home Pay

See what each role actually pays after federal, state, and FICA taxes.