National Salary Overview
VS
Optometrists earns $1,360 more (1.1%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$128,228
$129,588
Average (Mean) Salary
$139,121
$136,502
Total Employment
91,050
39,900
States with Higher Pay
20
28
Salary by State: Natural Sciences Managers vs Optometrists
Showing 48 states where both occupations have BLS data. Natural Sciences Managers pays more in 20 states; Optometrists pays more in 28.
| State | Natural Sciences Managers | Optometrists | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $112,490 | $117,900 | $-5,410 | ||
| Alaska | $121,280 | $155,230 | $-33,950 | ||
| Arizona | $123,240 | $133,500 | $-10,260 | ||
| Arkansas | $118,190 | $129,680 | $-11,490 | ||
| California | $198,580 | $134,020 | +$64,560 | ||
| Colorado | $141,840 | $136,900 | +$4,940 | ||
| Connecticut | $185,340 | $147,260 | +$38,080 | ||
| District of Columbia | $154,420 | $149,990 | +$4,430 | ||
| Florida | $92,490 | $125,480 | $-32,990 | ||
| Georgia | $108,480 | $119,900 | $-11,420 | ||
| Hawaii | $112,670 | $134,540 | $-21,870 | ||
| Idaho | $101,770 | $82,790 | +$18,980 | ||
| Illinois | $138,340 | $131,060 | +$7,280 | ||
| Indiana | $81,580 | $119,950 | $-38,370 | ||
| Iowa | $100,660 | $122,320 | $-21,660 | ||
| Kansas | $126,550 | $124,810 | +$1,740 | ||
| Kentucky | $111,610 | $130,210 | $-18,600 | ||
| Louisiana | $100,510 | $124,920 | $-24,410 | ||
| Maine | $133,260 | $134,220 | $-960 | ||
| Maryland | $158,830 | $163,510 | $-4,680 | ||
| Massachusetts | $214,460 | $144,920 | +$69,540 | ||
| Michigan | $137,660 | $128,680 | +$8,980 | ||
| Minnesota | $134,620 | $137,210 | $-2,590 | ||
| Mississippi | $99,380 | $105,530 | $-6,150 | ||
| Missouri | $121,670 | $98,800 | +$22,870 | ||
| Montana | $108,330 | $108,950 | $-620 | ||
| Nebraska | $111,050 | $123,970 | $-12,920 | ||
| Nevada | $88,340 | $118,040 | $-29,700 | ||
| New Hampshire | $136,640 | $129,720 | +$6,920 | ||
| New Jersey | $188,190 | $146,700 | +$41,490 | ||
| New Mexico | $110,850 | $155,060 | $-44,210 | ||
| New York | $142,150 | $157,480 | $-15,330 | ||
| North Carolina | $163,910 | $154,560 | +$9,350 | ||
| North Dakota | $124,760 | $127,200 | $-2,440 | ||
| Ohio | $130,230 | $126,650 | +$3,580 | ||
| Oklahoma | $106,950 | $97,670 | +$9,280 | ||
| Oregon | $128,630 | $132,200 | $-3,570 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $126,870 | $137,560 | $-10,690 | ||
| Rhode Island | $136,640 | $135,160 | +$1,480 | ||
| South Carolina | $136,910 | $124,190 | +$12,720 | ||
| South Dakota | $121,980 | $109,480 | +$12,500 | ||
| Tennessee | $113,090 | $107,510 | +$5,580 | ||
| Texas | $109,300 | $130,580 | $-21,280 | ||
| Utah | $106,740 | $121,250 | $-14,510 | ||
| Washington | $172,040 | $143,160 | +$28,880 | ||
| West Virginia | $125,100 | $139,080 | $-13,980 | ||
| Wisconsin | $121,620 | $136,630 | $-15,010 | ||
| Wyoming | $103,560 | $104,390 | $-830 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Natural Sciences Managers or Optometrists?
On average across all states, a Optometrists earns more than a Natural Sciences Managers. The national median salary difference is $1,360 (1.1%) based on 2024 BLS data.
In how many states does a Natural Sciences Managers earn more than a Optometrists?
A Natural Sciences Managers earns a higher median salary than a Optometrists in 20 out of 48 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Optometrists pays more in 28 states.
What is the median salary for a Natural Sciences Managers vs Optometrists?
The national median salary for a Natural Sciences Managers is $128,228 per year, compared to $129,588 for a Optometrists, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Natural Sciences Managers or Optometrists?
There are more people employed as Natural Sciences Managers. BLS reports approximately 91,050 Natural Sciences Managers positions and 39,900 Optometrists positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Natural Sciences Managers or Optometrists?
Both Natural Sciences 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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