National Salary Overview
VS
Sales Managers earns $3,256 more (2.4%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$136,108
$139,365
Average (Mean) Salary
$138,787
$154,352
Total Employment
42,810
623,030
States with Higher Pay
21
29
Salary by State: Optometrists vs Sales Managers
Showing 50 states where both occupations have BLS data. Optometrists pays more in 21 states; Sales Managers pays more in 29.
| State | Optometrists | Sales Managers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $145,090 | $124,040 | +$21,050 | ||
| Alaska | $170,310 | $98,860 | +$71,450 | ||
| Arizona | $122,250 | $145,690 | $-23,440 | ||
| Arkansas | $124,470 | $108,330 | +$16,140 | ||
| California | $136,300 | $134,910 | +$1,390 | ||
| Colorado | $152,000 | $180,850 | $-28,850 | ||
| Connecticut | $150,340 | $162,110 | $-11,770 | ||
| District of Columbia | $134,840 | $141,800 | $-6,960 | ||
| Florida | $151,670 | $131,900 | +$19,770 | ||
| Georgia | $128,830 | $159,890 | $-31,060 | ||
| Hawaii | $154,620 | $116,340 | +$38,280 | ||
| Idaho | $103,390 | $135,350 | $-31,960 | ||
| Illinois | $145,620 | $155,280 | $-9,660 | ||
| Indiana | $135,500 | $131,470 | +$4,030 | ||
| Iowa | $125,380 | $134,010 | $-8,630 | ||
| Kansas | $138,580 | $159,990 | $-21,410 | ||
| Kentucky | $128,860 | $128,650 | +$210 | ||
| Louisiana | $118,060 | $110,700 | +$7,360 | ||
| Maine | $154,110 | $158,660 | $-4,550 | ||
| Maryland | $165,840 | $137,150 | +$28,690 | ||
| Massachusetts | $151,730 | $191,200 | $-39,470 | ||
| Michigan | $135,650 | $136,870 | $-1,220 | ||
| Minnesota | $158,700 | $151,670 | +$7,030 | ||
| Mississippi | $108,070 | $108,750 | $-680 | ||
| Missouri | $133,810 | $115,370 | +$18,440 | ||
| Montana | $104,280 | $117,390 | $-13,110 | ||
| Nebraska | $125,040 | $126,990 | $-1,950 | ||
| Nevada | $135,650 | $109,790 | +$25,860 | ||
| New Hampshire | $125,560 | $141,900 | $-16,340 | ||
| New Jersey | $159,040 | $173,020 | $-13,980 | ||
| New Mexico | $144,660 | $114,080 | +$30,580 | ||
| New York | $161,140 | $217,640 | $-56,500 | ||
| North Carolina | $161,560 | $150,470 | +$11,090 | ||
| North Dakota | $132,110 | $119,990 | +$12,120 | ||
| Ohio | $134,850 | $135,510 | $-660 | ||
| Oklahoma | $97,350 | $128,920 | $-31,570 | ||
| Oregon | $132,020 | $155,810 | $-23,790 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $135,400 | $130,610 | +$4,790 | ||
| Rhode Island | $134,520 | $154,970 | $-20,450 | ||
| South Carolina | $145,950 | $131,080 | +$14,870 | ||
| South Dakota | $102,320 | $136,360 | $-34,040 | ||
| Tennessee | $134,170 | $128,040 | +$6,130 | ||
| Texas | $126,000 | $136,020 | $-10,020 | ||
| Utah | $119,070 | $136,520 | $-17,450 | ||
| Vermont | $137,290 | $138,650 | $-1,360 | ||
| Virginia | $131,570 | $191,130 | $-59,560 | ||
| Washington | $157,560 | $174,000 | $-16,440 | ||
| West Virginia | $118,010 | $94,830 | +$23,180 | ||
| Wisconsin | $139,720 | $134,870 | +$4,850 | ||
| Wyoming | $111,400 | $129,840 | $-18,440 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Optometrists vs Sales Managers salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Optometrists or Sales Managers?
On average across all states, a Sales Managers earns more than a Optometrists. The national median salary difference is $3,256 (2.4%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Optometrists earn more than a Sales Managers?
A Optometrists earns a higher median salary than a Sales Managers in 21 out of 50 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Sales Managers pays more in 29 states.
What is the median salary for a Optometrists vs Sales Managers?
The national median salary for a Optometrists is $136,108 per year, compared to $139,365 for a Sales Managers, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Optometrists or Sales Managers?
There are more people employed as Sales Managers. BLS reports approximately 42,810 Optometrists positions and 623,030 Sales Managers positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Optometrists or Sales Managers?
Both Optometrists 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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