National Salary Overview
VS
Sales Managers earns $4,653 more (3.5%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$134,711
$139,365
Average (Mean) Salary
$160,797
$154,352
Total Employment
754,500
623,030
States with Higher Pay
17
33
Salary by State: Lawyers vs Sales Managers
Showing 50 states where both occupations have BLS data. Lawyers pays more in 17 states; Sales Managers pays more in 33.
| State | Lawyers | Sales Managers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $131,970 | $124,040 | +$7,930 | ||
| Alaska | $149,940 | $98,860 | +$51,080 | ||
| Arizona | $134,260 | $145,690 | $-11,430 | ||
| Arkansas | $98,880 | $108,330 | $-9,450 | ||
| California | $195,080 | $134,910 | +$60,170 | ||
| Colorado | $168,520 | $180,850 | $-12,330 | ||
| Connecticut | $163,600 | $162,110 | +$1,490 | ||
| District of Columbia | $195,190 | $141,800 | +$53,390 | ||
| Florida | $133,180 | $131,900 | +$1,280 | ||
| Georgia | $134,830 | $159,890 | $-25,060 | ||
| Hawaii | $124,990 | $116,340 | +$8,650 | ||
| Idaho | $103,400 | $135,350 | $-31,950 | ||
| Illinois | $160,800 | $155,280 | +$5,520 | ||
| Indiana | $126,860 | $131,470 | $-4,610 | ||
| Iowa | $123,550 | $134,010 | $-10,460 | ||
| Kansas | $106,650 | $159,990 | $-53,340 | ||
| Kentucky | $101,550 | $128,650 | $-27,100 | ||
| Louisiana | $104,100 | $110,700 | $-6,600 | ||
| Maine | $113,120 | $158,660 | $-45,540 | ||
| Maryland | $139,110 | $137,150 | +$1,960 | ||
| Massachusetts | $176,680 | $191,200 | $-14,520 | ||
| Michigan | $130,520 | $136,870 | $-6,350 | ||
| Minnesota | $155,140 | $151,670 | +$3,470 | ||
| Mississippi | $91,690 | $108,750 | $-17,060 | ||
| Missouri | $133,450 | $115,370 | +$18,080 | ||
| Montana | $103,720 | $117,390 | $-13,670 | ||
| Nebraska | $109,170 | $126,990 | $-17,820 | ||
| Nevada | $150,510 | $109,790 | +$40,720 | ||
| New Hampshire | $120,810 | $141,900 | $-21,090 | ||
| New Jersey | $161,430 | $173,020 | $-11,590 | ||
| New Mexico | $119,680 | $114,080 | +$5,600 | ||
| New York | $207,860 | $217,640 | $-9,780 | ||
| North Carolina | $127,710 | $150,470 | $-22,760 | ||
| North Dakota | $106,880 | $119,990 | $-13,110 | ||
| Ohio | $131,020 | $135,510 | $-4,490 | ||
| Oklahoma | $103,060 | $128,920 | $-25,860 | ||
| Oregon | $138,210 | $155,810 | $-17,600 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $157,180 | $130,610 | +$26,570 | ||
| Rhode Island | $138,960 | $154,970 | $-16,010 | ||
| South Carolina | $120,310 | $131,080 | $-10,770 | ||
| South Dakota | $102,040 | $136,360 | $-34,320 | ||
| Tennessee | $136,180 | $128,040 | +$8,140 | ||
| Texas | $154,200 | $136,020 | +$18,180 | ||
| Utah | $132,830 | $136,520 | $-3,690 | ||
| Vermont | $127,310 | $138,650 | $-11,340 | ||
| Virginia | $167,210 | $191,130 | $-23,920 | ||
| Washington | $154,130 | $174,000 | $-19,870 | ||
| West Virginia | $102,420 | $94,830 | +$7,590 | ||
| Wisconsin | $126,760 | $134,870 | $-8,110 | ||
| Wyoming | $100,130 | $129,840 | $-29,710 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Lawyers vs Sales Managers salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Lawyers or Sales Managers?
On average across all states, a Sales Managers earns more than a Lawyers. The national median salary difference is $4,653 (3.5%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Lawyers earn more than a Sales Managers?
A Lawyers earns a higher median salary than a Sales Managers in 17 out of 50 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Sales Managers pays more in 33 states.
What is the median salary for a Lawyers vs Sales Managers?
The national median salary for a Lawyers is $134,711 per year, compared to $139,365 for a Sales Managers, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Lawyers or Sales Managers?
There are more people employed as Lawyers. BLS reports approximately 754,500 Lawyers positions and 623,030 Sales Managers positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Lawyers or Sales Managers?
Both Lawyers 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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