National Salary Overview
VS
Human Resources Managers earns $2,442 more (1.8%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$138,550
$136,108
Average (Mean) Salary
$151,022
$138,787
Total Employment
220,670
42,810
States with Higher Pay
27
24
Salary by State: Human Resources Managers vs Optometrists
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Human Resources Managers pays more in 27 states; Optometrists pays more in 24.
| State | Human Resources Managers | Optometrists | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $113,210 | $145,090 | $-31,880 | ||
| Alaska | $129,570 | $170,310 | $-40,740 | ||
| Arizona | $139,820 | $122,250 | +$17,570 | ||
| Arkansas | $108,580 | $124,470 | $-15,890 | ||
| California | $170,080 | $136,300 | +$33,780 | ||
| Colorado | $166,400 | $152,000 | +$14,400 | ||
| Connecticut | $165,930 | $150,340 | +$15,590 | ||
| Delaware | $153,890 | $161,270 | $-7,380 | ||
| District of Columbia | $184,350 | $134,840 | +$49,510 | ||
| Florida | $137,790 | $151,670 | $-13,880 | ||
| Georgia | $150,700 | $128,830 | +$21,870 | ||
| Hawaii | $128,910 | $154,620 | $-25,710 | ||
| Idaho | $119,990 | $103,390 | +$16,600 | ||
| Illinois | $151,370 | $145,620 | +$5,750 | ||
| Indiana | $130,340 | $135,500 | $-5,160 | ||
| Iowa | $126,370 | $125,380 | +$990 | ||
| Kansas | $134,470 | $138,580 | $-4,110 | ||
| Kentucky | $121,460 | $128,860 | $-7,400 | ||
| Louisiana | $107,880 | $118,060 | $-10,180 | ||
| Maine | $129,720 | $154,110 | $-24,390 | ||
| Maryland | $152,770 | $165,840 | $-13,070 | ||
| Massachusetts | $181,780 | $151,730 | +$30,050 | ||
| Michigan | $138,930 | $135,650 | +$3,280 | ||
| Minnesota | $153,770 | $158,700 | $-4,930 | ||
| Mississippi | $106,100 | $108,070 | $-1,970 | ||
| Missouri | $130,680 | $133,810 | $-3,130 | ||
| Montana | $115,280 | $104,280 | +$11,000 | ||
| Nebraska | $129,460 | $125,040 | +$4,420 | ||
| Nevada | $128,550 | $135,650 | $-7,100 | ||
| New Hampshire | $135,000 | $125,560 | +$9,440 | ||
| New Jersey | $172,440 | $159,040 | +$13,400 | ||
| New Mexico | $118,070 | $144,660 | $-26,590 | ||
| New York | $176,650 | $161,140 | +$15,510 | ||
| North Carolina | $142,990 | $161,560 | $-18,570 | ||
| North Dakota | $139,050 | $132,110 | +$6,940 | ||
| Ohio | $130,480 | $134,850 | $-4,370 | ||
| Oklahoma | $116,080 | $97,350 | +$18,730 | ||
| Oregon | $140,570 | $132,020 | +$8,550 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $133,060 | $135,400 | $-2,340 | ||
| Rhode Island | $167,110 | $134,520 | +$32,590 | ||
| South Carolina | $124,290 | $145,950 | $-21,660 | ||
| South Dakota | $117,930 | $102,320 | +$15,610 | ||
| Tennessee | $131,760 | $134,170 | $-2,410 | ||
| Texas | $136,500 | $126,000 | +$10,500 | ||
| Utah | $131,380 | $119,070 | +$12,310 | ||
| Vermont | $132,050 | $137,290 | $-5,240 | ||
| Virginia | $165,980 | $131,570 | +$34,410 | ||
| Washington | $165,530 | $157,560 | +$7,970 | ||
| West Virginia | $120,020 | $118,010 | +$2,010 | ||
| Wisconsin | $133,490 | $139,720 | $-6,230 | ||
| Wyoming | $127,520 | $111,400 | +$16,120 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Human Resources Managers vs Optometrists salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Human Resources Managers or Optometrists?
On average across all states, a Human Resources Managers earns more than a Optometrists. The national median salary difference is $2,442 (1.8%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Human Resources Managers earn more than a Optometrists?
A Human Resources Managers earns a higher median salary than a Optometrists in 27 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Optometrists pays more in 24 states.
What is the median salary for a Human Resources Managers vs Optometrists?
The national median salary for a Human Resources Managers is $138,550 per year, compared to $136,108 for a Optometrists, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Human Resources Managers or Optometrists?
There are more people employed as Human Resources Managers. BLS reports approximately 220,670 Human Resources Managers positions and 42,810 Optometrists positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Human Resources Managers or Optometrists?
Both Human Resources Managers 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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