National Salary Overview
VS
Pharmacists earns $3,525 more (2.5%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$142,890
$139,365
Average (Mean) Salary
$140,171
$154,352
Total Employment
321,960
623,030
States with Higher Pay
36
14
Salary by State: Pharmacists vs Sales Managers
Showing 50 states where both occupations have BLS data. Pharmacists pays more in 36 states; Sales Managers pays more in 14.
| State | Pharmacists | Sales Managers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $134,630 | $124,040 | +$10,590 | ||
| Alaska | $167,310 | $98,860 | +$68,450 | ||
| Arizona | $146,930 | $145,690 | +$1,240 | ||
| Arkansas | $136,060 | $108,330 | +$27,730 | ||
| California | $164,610 | $134,910 | +$29,700 | ||
| Colorado | $156,030 | $180,850 | $-24,820 | ||
| Connecticut | $141,290 | $162,110 | $-20,820 | ||
| District of Columbia | $153,400 | $141,800 | +$11,600 | ||
| Florida | $135,970 | $131,900 | +$4,070 | ||
| Georgia | $137,120 | $159,890 | $-22,770 | ||
| Hawaii | $163,220 | $116,340 | +$46,880 | ||
| Idaho | $144,900 | $135,350 | +$9,550 | ||
| Illinois | $139,080 | $155,280 | $-16,200 | ||
| Indiana | $144,290 | $131,470 | +$12,820 | ||
| Iowa | $138,860 | $134,010 | +$4,850 | ||
| Kansas | $137,800 | $159,990 | $-22,190 | ||
| Kentucky | $136,530 | $128,650 | +$7,880 | ||
| Louisiana | $132,410 | $110,700 | +$21,710 | ||
| Maine | $140,930 | $158,660 | $-17,730 | ||
| Maryland | $138,990 | $137,150 | +$1,840 | ||
| Massachusetts | $138,170 | $191,200 | $-53,030 | ||
| Michigan | $137,860 | $136,870 | +$990 | ||
| Minnesota | $159,740 | $151,670 | +$8,070 | ||
| Mississippi | $133,230 | $108,750 | +$24,480 | ||
| Missouri | $137,610 | $115,370 | +$22,240 | ||
| Montana | $142,080 | $117,390 | +$24,690 | ||
| Nebraska | $139,330 | $126,990 | +$12,340 | ||
| Nevada | $140,030 | $109,790 | +$30,240 | ||
| New Hampshire | $143,020 | $141,900 | +$1,120 | ||
| New Jersey | $137,620 | $173,020 | $-35,400 | ||
| New Mexico | $147,000 | $114,080 | +$32,920 | ||
| New York | $142,090 | $217,640 | $-75,550 | ||
| North Carolina | $138,860 | $150,470 | $-11,610 | ||
| North Dakota | $142,040 | $119,990 | +$22,050 | ||
| Ohio | $137,020 | $135,510 | +$1,510 | ||
| Oklahoma | $135,140 | $128,920 | +$6,220 | ||
| Oregon | $165,960 | $155,810 | +$10,150 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $138,160 | $130,610 | +$7,550 | ||
| Rhode Island | $128,180 | $154,970 | $-26,790 | ||
| South Carolina | $135,700 | $131,080 | +$4,620 | ||
| South Dakota | $146,790 | $136,360 | +$10,430 | ||
| Tennessee | $133,390 | $128,040 | +$5,350 | ||
| Texas | $138,260 | $136,020 | +$2,240 | ||
| Utah | $144,240 | $136,520 | +$7,720 | ||
| Vermont | $136,270 | $138,650 | $-2,380 | ||
| Virginia | $144,060 | $191,130 | $-47,070 | ||
| Washington | $160,610 | $174,000 | $-13,390 | ||
| West Virginia | $133,430 | $94,830 | +$38,600 | ||
| Wisconsin | $148,740 | $134,870 | +$13,870 | ||
| Wyoming | $139,550 | $129,840 | +$9,710 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Pharmacists vs Sales Managers salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
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 $3,525 (2.5%) based on 2025 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 36 out of 50 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Sales Managers pays more in 14 states.
What is the median salary for a Pharmacists vs Sales Managers?
The national median salary for a Pharmacists is $142,890 per year, compared to $139,365 for a Sales Managers, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Pharmacists or Sales Managers?
There are more people employed as Sales Managers. BLS reports approximately 321,960 Pharmacists positions and 623,030 Sales Managers positions nationwide (2025).
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.
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