National Salary Overview
VS
Purchasing Managers earns $477 more (0.3%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$139,842
$139,365
Average (Mean) Salary
$146,959
$154,352
Total Employment
84,150
623,030
States with Higher Pay
21
29
Salary by State: Purchasing Managers vs Sales Managers
Showing 50 states where both occupations have BLS data. Purchasing Managers pays more in 21 states; Sales Managers pays more in 29.
| State | Purchasing Managers | Sales Managers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $130,710 | $124,040 | +$6,670 | ||
| Alaska | $114,650 | $98,860 | +$15,790 | ||
| Arizona | $138,940 | $145,690 | $-6,750 | ||
| Arkansas | $156,450 | $108,330 | +$48,120 | ||
| California | $159,830 | $134,910 | +$24,920 | ||
| Colorado | $171,250 | $180,850 | $-9,600 | ||
| Connecticut | $138,680 | $162,110 | $-23,430 | ||
| District of Columbia | $175,720 | $141,800 | +$33,920 | ||
| Florida | $133,410 | $131,900 | +$1,510 | ||
| Georgia | $155,360 | $159,890 | $-4,530 | ||
| Hawaii | $113,490 | $116,340 | $-2,850 | ||
| Idaho | $136,970 | $135,350 | +$1,620 | ||
| Illinois | $153,370 | $155,280 | $-1,910 | ||
| Indiana | $126,880 | $131,470 | $-4,590 | ||
| Iowa | $121,580 | $134,010 | $-12,430 | ||
| Kansas | $159,850 | $159,990 | $-140 | ||
| Kentucky | $124,350 | $128,650 | $-4,300 | ||
| Louisiana | $109,630 | $110,700 | $-1,070 | ||
| Maine | $135,970 | $158,660 | $-22,690 | ||
| Maryland | $161,470 | $137,150 | +$24,320 | ||
| Massachusetts | $170,750 | $191,200 | $-20,450 | ||
| Michigan | $142,120 | $136,870 | +$5,250 | ||
| Minnesota | $144,810 | $151,670 | $-6,860 | ||
| Mississippi | $122,940 | $108,750 | +$14,190 | ||
| Missouri | $132,100 | $115,370 | +$16,730 | ||
| Montana | $123,480 | $117,390 | +$6,090 | ||
| Nebraska | $124,010 | $126,990 | $-2,980 | ||
| Nevada | $120,270 | $109,790 | +$10,480 | ||
| New Hampshire | $162,900 | $141,900 | +$21,000 | ||
| New Jersey | $174,520 | $173,020 | +$1,500 | ||
| New Mexico | $134,790 | $114,080 | +$20,710 | ||
| New York | $166,300 | $217,640 | $-51,340 | ||
| North Carolina | $138,710 | $150,470 | $-11,760 | ||
| North Dakota | $130,110 | $119,990 | +$10,120 | ||
| Ohio | $134,580 | $135,510 | $-930 | ||
| Oklahoma | $119,310 | $128,920 | $-9,610 | ||
| Oregon | $137,190 | $155,810 | $-18,620 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $141,790 | $130,610 | +$11,180 | ||
| Rhode Island | $134,560 | $154,970 | $-20,410 | ||
| South Carolina | $131,720 | $131,080 | +$640 | ||
| South Dakota | $128,670 | $136,360 | $-7,690 | ||
| Tennessee | $137,060 | $128,040 | +$9,020 | ||
| Texas | $134,670 | $136,020 | $-1,350 | ||
| Utah | $125,940 | $136,520 | $-10,580 | ||
| Vermont | $135,720 | $138,650 | $-2,930 | ||
| Virginia | $166,230 | $191,130 | $-24,900 | ||
| Washington | $162,730 | $174,000 | $-11,270 | ||
| West Virginia | $147,220 | $94,830 | +$52,390 | ||
| Wisconsin | $124,990 | $134,870 | $-9,880 | ||
| Wyoming | $123,380 | $129,840 | $-6,460 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Purchasing Managers vs Sales Managers salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Purchasing Managers or Sales Managers?
On average across all states, a Purchasing Managers earns more than a Sales Managers. The national median salary difference is $477 (0.3%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Purchasing Managers earn more than a Sales Managers?
A Purchasing Managers 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 Purchasing Managers vs Sales Managers?
The national median salary for a Purchasing Managers is $139,842 per year, compared to $139,365 for a Sales Managers, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Purchasing Managers or Sales Managers?
There are more people employed as Sales Managers. BLS reports approximately 84,150 Purchasing Managers positions and 623,030 Sales Managers positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Purchasing Managers or Sales Managers?
Both Purchasing Managers 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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