National Salary Overview
VS
Sales Managers earns $4,021 more (3.1%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$128,246
$132,268
Average (Mean) Salary
$128,185
$149,870
Total Employment
145,290
572,710
States with Higher Pay
22
28
Salary by State: Physician Assistants vs Sales Managers
Showing 50 states where both occupations have BLS data. Physician Assistants pays more in 22 states; Sales Managers pays more in 28.
| State | Physician Assistants | Sales Managers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $97,360 | $117,750 | $-20,390 | ||
| Alaska | $141,020 | $93,050 | +$47,970 | ||
| Arizona | $130,270 | $122,880 | +$7,390 | ||
| Arkansas | $99,220 | $121,820 | $-22,600 | ||
| California | $157,490 | $131,740 | +$25,750 | ||
| Colorado | $128,800 | $176,700 | $-47,900 | ||
| Connecticut | $140,880 | $135,920 | +$4,960 | ||
| Delaware | $135,520 | $186,120 | $-50,600 | ||
| District of Columbia | $124,350 | $138,680 | $-14,330 | ||
| Florida | $125,600 | $128,810 | $-3,210 | ||
| Georgia | $113,200 | $141,720 | $-28,520 | ||
| Hawaii | $141,350 | $117,680 | +$23,670 | ||
| Idaho | $122,690 | $109,530 | +$13,160 | ||
| Illinois | $118,400 | $135,680 | $-17,280 | ||
| Indiana | $125,250 | $117,500 | +$7,750 | ||
| Iowa | $128,960 | $129,080 | $-120 | ||
| Kansas | $116,970 | $147,800 | $-30,830 | ||
| Kentucky | $103,490 | $109,300 | $-5,810 | ||
| Louisiana | $123,290 | $107,340 | +$15,950 | ||
| Maine | $131,540 | $100,400 | +$31,140 | ||
| Maryland | $127,810 | $125,600 | +$2,210 | ||
| Massachusetts | $135,720 | $156,360 | $-20,640 | ||
| Michigan | $126,890 | $141,620 | $-14,730 | ||
| Minnesota | $131,290 | $134,290 | $-3,000 | ||
| Missouri | $134,670 | $111,400 | +$23,270 | ||
| Montana | $131,340 | $120,820 | +$10,520 | ||
| Nebraska | $125,090 | $116,470 | +$8,620 | ||
| Nevada | $158,720 | $103,000 | +$55,720 | ||
| New Hampshire | $132,980 | $145,000 | $-12,020 | ||
| New Jersey | $137,100 | $170,690 | $-33,590 | ||
| New Mexico | $131,930 | $105,010 | +$26,920 | ||
| New York | $137,490 | $214,010 | $-76,520 | ||
| North Carolina | $126,480 | $125,270 | +$1,210 | ||
| North Dakota | $132,660 | $119,960 | +$12,700 | ||
| Ohio | $122,180 | $134,440 | $-12,260 | ||
| Oklahoma | $126,080 | $122,000 | +$4,080 | ||
| Oregon | $134,740 | $125,890 | +$8,850 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $119,170 | $130,600 | $-11,430 | ||
| Rhode Island | $126,920 | $158,600 | $-31,680 | ||
| South Carolina | $114,710 | $122,820 | $-8,110 | ||
| South Dakota | $121,070 | $161,470 | $-40,400 | ||
| Tennessee | $111,540 | $132,830 | $-21,290 | ||
| Texas | $131,080 | $127,560 | +$3,520 | ||
| Utah | $128,060 | $130,220 | $-2,160 | ||
| Vermont | $135,710 | $129,280 | +$6,430 | ||
| Virginia | $121,980 | $158,000 | $-36,020 | ||
| Washington | $156,930 | $169,680 | $-12,750 | ||
| West Virginia | $120,820 | $103,870 | +$16,950 | ||
| Wisconsin | $128,580 | $134,120 | $-5,540 | ||
| Wyoming | $136,940 | $137,560 | $-620 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Physician Assistants or Sales Managers?
On average across all states, a Sales Managers earns more than a Physician Assistants. The national median salary difference is $4,021 (3.1%) based on 2024 BLS data.
In how many states does a Physician Assistants earn more than a Sales Managers?
A Physician Assistants earns a higher median salary than a Sales Managers in 22 out of 50 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Sales Managers pays more in 28 states.
What is the median salary for a Physician Assistants vs Sales Managers?
The national median salary for a Physician Assistants is $128,246 per year, compared to $132,268 for a Sales Managers, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Physician Assistants or Sales Managers?
There are more people employed as Sales Managers. BLS reports approximately 145,290 Physician Assistants positions and 572,710 Sales Managers positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Physician Assistants or Sales Managers?
Both Physician Assistants 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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