Pharmacists vs Sales Managers: Salary Comparison

Side-by-side salary data across all 50 states. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024).

National Salary Overview

Pharmacists

Median Salary
$136,336
Average (Mean)
$133,102
Employed Nationwide
331,700
VS

Sales Managers

Median Salary
$132,268
Average (Mean)
$149,870
Employed Nationwide
572,710
Pharmacists earns $4,068 more (3.1%)

Key Metrics Compared

Median Salary $136,336 $132,268
Average (Mean) Salary $133,102 $149,870
Total Employment 331,700 572,710
States with Higher Pay 34 17

Salary by State: Pharmacists vs Sales Managers

Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Pharmacists pays more in 34 states; Sales Managers pays more in 17.

State Pharmacists Sales Managers Difference
Alabama $131,880
$117,750
+$14,130
Alaska $152,730
$93,050
+$59,680
Arizona $136,960
$122,880
+$14,080
Arkansas $131,510
$121,820
+$9,690
California $160,950
$131,740
+$29,210
Colorado $144,240
$176,700
$-32,460
Connecticut $136,250
$135,920
+$330
Delaware $136,240
$186,120
$-49,880
District of Columbia $140,320
$138,680
+$1,640
Florida $134,500
$128,810
+$5,690
Georgia $131,440
$141,720
$-10,280
Hawaii $137,470
$117,680
+$19,790
Idaho $133,580
$109,530
+$24,050
Illinois $135,120
$135,680
$-560
Indiana $134,930
$117,500
+$17,430
Iowa $130,890
$129,080
+$1,810
Kansas $132,920
$147,800
$-14,880
Kentucky $131,890
$109,300
+$22,590
Louisiana $128,100
$107,340
+$20,760
Maine $135,430
$100,400
+$35,030
Maryland $133,400
$125,600
+$7,800
Massachusetts $135,200
$156,360
$-21,160
Michigan $134,660
$141,620
$-6,960
Minnesota $150,170
$134,290
+$15,880
Mississippi $130,390
$107,750
+$22,640
Missouri $134,450
$111,400
+$23,050
Montana $133,480
$120,820
+$12,660
Nebraska $132,020
$116,470
+$15,550
Nevada $134,170
$103,000
+$31,170
New Hampshire $141,020
$145,000
$-3,980
New Jersey $131,190
$170,690
$-39,500
New Mexico $134,890
$105,010
+$29,880
New York $134,360
$214,010
$-79,650
North Carolina $135,370
$125,270
+$10,100
North Dakota $134,670
$119,960
+$14,710
Ohio $132,710
$134,440
$-1,730
Oklahoma $131,040
$122,000
+$9,040
Oregon $154,550
$125,890
+$28,660
Pennsylvania $135,640
$130,600
+$5,040
Rhode Island $126,380
$158,600
$-32,220
South Carolina $134,540
$122,820
+$11,720
South Dakota $135,500
$161,470
$-25,970
Tennessee $130,510
$132,830
$-2,320
Texas $134,880
$127,560
+$7,320
Utah $137,710
$130,220
+$7,490
Vermont $138,720
$129,280
+$9,440
Virginia $137,550
$158,000
$-20,450
Washington $153,500
$169,680
$-16,180
West Virginia $130,150
$103,870
+$26,280
Wisconsin $139,630
$134,120
+$5,510
Wyoming $133,380
$137,560
$-4,180

Frequently Asked Questions

Who makes more: Pharmacists or Sales Managers?
On average across all states, a Pharmacists earns more than a Sales Managers. The national median salary difference is $4,068 (3.1%) based on 2024 BLS data.
In how many states does a Pharmacists earn more than a Sales Managers?
A Pharmacists earns a higher median salary than a Sales Managers in 34 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Sales Managers pays more in 17 states.
What is the median salary for a Pharmacists vs Sales Managers?
The national median salary for a Pharmacists is $136,336 per year, compared to $132,268 for a Sales Managers, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Pharmacists or Sales Managers?
There are more people employed as Sales Managers. BLS reports approximately 331,700 Pharmacists positions and 572,710 Sales Managers positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Pharmacists or Sales Managers?
Both Pharmacists 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.

Compare After-Tax Take-Home Pay

See what each role actually pays after federal, state, and FICA taxes.