National Salary Overview
VS
Purchasing Managers earns $3,792 more (2.8%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$136,050
$139,842
Average (Mean) Salary
$137,335
$146,959
Total Employment
162,150
84,150
States with Higher Pay
22
28
Salary by State: Physician Assistants vs Purchasing Managers
Showing 50 states where both occupations have BLS data. Physician Assistants pays more in 22 states; Purchasing Managers pays more in 28.
| State | Physician Assistants | Purchasing Managers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $104,960 | $130,710 | $-25,750 | ||
| Alaska | $150,700 | $114,650 | +$36,050 | ||
| Arizona | $134,650 | $138,940 | $-4,290 | ||
| Arkansas | $118,430 | $156,450 | $-38,020 | ||
| California | $165,650 | $159,830 | +$5,820 | ||
| Colorado | $134,540 | $171,250 | $-36,710 | ||
| Connecticut | $139,860 | $138,680 | +$1,180 | ||
| District of Columbia | $135,140 | $175,720 | $-40,580 | ||
| Florida | $129,620 | $133,410 | $-3,790 | ||
| Georgia | $115,390 | $155,360 | $-39,970 | ||
| Hawaii | $164,050 | $113,490 | +$50,560 | ||
| Idaho | $133,790 | $136,970 | $-3,180 | ||
| Illinois | $131,950 | $153,370 | $-21,420 | ||
| Indiana | $132,050 | $126,880 | +$5,170 | ||
| Iowa | $134,770 | $121,580 | +$13,190 | ||
| Kansas | $125,640 | $159,850 | $-34,210 | ||
| Kentucky | $120,760 | $124,350 | $-3,590 | ||
| Louisiana | $128,870 | $109,630 | +$19,240 | ||
| Maine | $131,170 | $135,970 | $-4,800 | ||
| Maryland | $137,560 | $161,470 | $-23,910 | ||
| Massachusetts | $142,410 | $170,750 | $-28,340 | ||
| Michigan | $131,510 | $142,120 | $-10,610 | ||
| Minnesota | $141,190 | $144,810 | $-3,620 | ||
| Mississippi | $105,920 | $122,940 | $-17,020 | ||
| Missouri | $135,130 | $132,100 | +$3,030 | ||
| Montana | $141,470 | $123,480 | +$17,990 | ||
| Nebraska | $133,040 | $124,010 | +$9,030 | ||
| Nevada | $134,660 | $120,270 | +$14,390 | ||
| New Hampshire | $150,960 | $162,900 | $-11,940 | ||
| New Jersey | $165,690 | $174,520 | $-8,830 | ||
| New Mexico | $139,920 | $134,790 | +$5,130 | ||
| New York | $160,880 | $166,300 | $-5,420 | ||
| North Carolina | $129,360 | $138,710 | $-9,350 | ||
| North Dakota | $133,450 | $130,110 | +$3,340 | ||
| Ohio | $132,090 | $134,580 | $-2,490 | ||
| Oklahoma | $136,550 | $119,310 | +$17,240 | ||
| Oregon | $155,780 | $137,190 | +$18,590 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $127,070 | $141,790 | $-14,720 | ||
| Rhode Island | $139,930 | $134,560 | +$5,370 | ||
| South Carolina | $122,490 | $131,720 | $-9,230 | ||
| South Dakota | $133,200 | $128,670 | +$4,530 | ||
| Tennessee | $118,240 | $137,060 | $-18,820 | ||
| Texas | $134,550 | $134,670 | $-120 | ||
| Utah | $134,740 | $125,940 | +$8,800 | ||
| Vermont | $150,490 | $135,720 | +$14,770 | ||
| Virginia | $135,940 | $166,230 | $-30,290 | ||
| Washington | $164,360 | $162,730 | +$1,630 | ||
| West Virginia | $128,610 | $147,220 | $-18,610 | ||
| Wisconsin | $133,950 | $124,990 | +$8,960 | ||
| Wyoming | $136,080 | $123,380 | +$12,700 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Physician Assistants vs Purchasing Managers salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Physician Assistants or Purchasing Managers?
On average across all states, a Purchasing Managers earns more than a Physician Assistants. The national median salary difference is $3,792 (2.8%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Physician Assistants earn more than a Purchasing Managers?
A Physician Assistants 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 Physician Assistants vs Purchasing Managers?
The national median salary for a Physician Assistants is $136,050 per year, compared to $139,842 for a Purchasing Managers, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Physician Assistants or Purchasing Managers?
There are more people employed as Physician Assistants. BLS reports approximately 162,150 Physician Assistants positions and 84,150 Purchasing Managers positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Physician Assistants or Purchasing Managers?
Both Physician Assistants 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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