National Salary Overview
VS
Purchasing Managers earns $3,734 more (2.7%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$136,108
$139,842
Average (Mean) Salary
$138,787
$146,959
Total Employment
42,810
84,150
States with Higher Pay
22
28
Salary by State: Optometrists vs Purchasing Managers
Showing 50 states where both occupations have BLS data. Optometrists pays more in 22 states; Purchasing Managers pays more in 28.
| State | Optometrists | Purchasing Managers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $145,090 | $130,710 | +$14,380 | ||
| Alaska | $170,310 | $114,650 | +$55,660 | ||
| Arizona | $122,250 | $138,940 | $-16,690 | ||
| Arkansas | $124,470 | $156,450 | $-31,980 | ||
| California | $136,300 | $159,830 | $-23,530 | ||
| Colorado | $152,000 | $171,250 | $-19,250 | ||
| Connecticut | $150,340 | $138,680 | +$11,660 | ||
| District of Columbia | $134,840 | $175,720 | $-40,880 | ||
| Florida | $151,670 | $133,410 | +$18,260 | ||
| Georgia | $128,830 | $155,360 | $-26,530 | ||
| Hawaii | $154,620 | $113,490 | +$41,130 | ||
| Idaho | $103,390 | $136,970 | $-33,580 | ||
| Illinois | $145,620 | $153,370 | $-7,750 | ||
| Indiana | $135,500 | $126,880 | +$8,620 | ||
| Iowa | $125,380 | $121,580 | +$3,800 | ||
| Kansas | $138,580 | $159,850 | $-21,270 | ||
| Kentucky | $128,860 | $124,350 | +$4,510 | ||
| Louisiana | $118,060 | $109,630 | +$8,430 | ||
| Maine | $154,110 | $135,970 | +$18,140 | ||
| Maryland | $165,840 | $161,470 | +$4,370 | ||
| Massachusetts | $151,730 | $170,750 | $-19,020 | ||
| Michigan | $135,650 | $142,120 | $-6,470 | ||
| Minnesota | $158,700 | $144,810 | +$13,890 | ||
| Mississippi | $108,070 | $122,940 | $-14,870 | ||
| Missouri | $133,810 | $132,100 | +$1,710 | ||
| Montana | $104,280 | $123,480 | $-19,200 | ||
| Nebraska | $125,040 | $124,010 | +$1,030 | ||
| Nevada | $135,650 | $120,270 | +$15,380 | ||
| New Hampshire | $125,560 | $162,900 | $-37,340 | ||
| New Jersey | $159,040 | $174,520 | $-15,480 | ||
| New Mexico | $144,660 | $134,790 | +$9,870 | ||
| New York | $161,140 | $166,300 | $-5,160 | ||
| North Carolina | $161,560 | $138,710 | +$22,850 | ||
| North Dakota | $132,110 | $130,110 | +$2,000 | ||
| Ohio | $134,850 | $134,580 | +$270 | ||
| Oklahoma | $97,350 | $119,310 | $-21,960 | ||
| Oregon | $132,020 | $137,190 | $-5,170 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $135,400 | $141,790 | $-6,390 | ||
| Rhode Island | $134,520 | $134,560 | $-40 | ||
| South Carolina | $145,950 | $131,720 | +$14,230 | ||
| South Dakota | $102,320 | $128,670 | $-26,350 | ||
| Tennessee | $134,170 | $137,060 | $-2,890 | ||
| Texas | $126,000 | $134,670 | $-8,670 | ||
| Utah | $119,070 | $125,940 | $-6,870 | ||
| Vermont | $137,290 | $135,720 | +$1,570 | ||
| Virginia | $131,570 | $166,230 | $-34,660 | ||
| Washington | $157,560 | $162,730 | $-5,170 | ||
| West Virginia | $118,010 | $147,220 | $-29,210 | ||
| Wisconsin | $139,720 | $124,990 | +$14,730 | ||
| Wyoming | $111,400 | $123,380 | $-11,980 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Optometrists vs Purchasing Managers salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Optometrists or Purchasing Managers?
On average across all states, a Purchasing Managers earns more than a Optometrists. The national median salary difference is $3,734 (2.7%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Optometrists earn more than a Purchasing Managers?
A Optometrists earns a higher median salary than a Purchasing Managers in 22 out of 50 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Purchasing Managers pays more in 28 states.
What is the median salary for a Optometrists vs Purchasing Managers?
The national median salary for a Optometrists is $136,108 per year, compared to $139,842 for a Purchasing Managers, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Optometrists or Purchasing Managers?
There are more people employed as Purchasing Managers. BLS reports approximately 42,810 Optometrists positions and 84,150 Purchasing Managers positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Optometrists or Purchasing Managers?
Both Optometrists and Purchasing 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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