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Category Management Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a Category Management Manager make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Category Management Manager in the United States is $128,233 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $62.

However, a Category Management Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $149,626
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $114,716 to $139,431
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $102,409
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Category Management Manager Salaries

A Category Management Manager's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Category Management Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Category Management Manager's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Category Management Analyst V (7-10 years): $164,701
  • Category Management Supervisor (10+ years): $111,628
  • Category Management Manager (10+ years): $128,233
  • Category Management Senior Manager (10+ years): $147,723
  • Category Management Director (10+ years): $181,454
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Category Management Analyst V7-10 years$164,701
Category Management Supervisor10+ years$111,628
Category Management Manager10+ years$128,233
Category Management Senior Manager10+ years$147,723
Category Management Director10+ years$181,454
View as Graph

How Do Category Management Managers Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Category Management Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $141,980.
  • California: $141,441.
  • Massachusetts: $139,556.

Top Paying Cities for Category Management Manager

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $161,740
  • San Francisco: $159,969
  • Oakland: $156,598

What Skills Can Increase a Category Management Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 7.3% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Strategic Sourcing (Mentioned in 2.62% Job Postings): Identifying spend profiles and developing channels to acquire the optimum value of supplies that align with organizational goals.
  • Economics (Mentioned in 0.86% Job Postings): Economics is a social science that focuses on the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services, and analyzes the choices that individuals, businesses, governments, and nations make to allocate resources.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 7.3%
Strategic Sourcing 2.62%
Economics 0.86%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Category Management Manager's salary.

  • Insight: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Partnering: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Accountability: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Insight $132,080
3%
Partnering $132,080
3%
Accountability $132,080
3%
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Category Management Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Category Management Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $144,648. While startup companies pay approximate $122,327.

Category Management Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $122,327
Growth Stage 51~500 $129,387
Established 501~5000 $139,667
Enterprise 5000+ $144,648

Category Management Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Category Management Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 105% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Category Management Manager positions in Transportation or MFG Durable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Category Management Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Category Management Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$166,703$80.030%
Biotechnology$160,291$77.025%
Internet$153,880$74.020%
MFG Nondurable$147,468$71.015%
Energy & Utilities$141,056$68.010%

Category Management Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Category Management Manager's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$114,716
Average $128,233/year
$139,431
$9,560
Average $10,686/month
$11,619
$2,206
Average $2,466/week
$2,681
$55
Average $62/hour
$67
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $139,431 $11,619 $2,681 $67
Average $128,233 $10,686 $2,466 $62
25th Percentile $114,716 $9,560 $2,206 $55

Category Management Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

Category Management Manager

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Category Management Manager, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Category Management Senior Manager $147,723 15%
Media Product Development Manager $107,230 -16%
Product/Brand Marketing Senior Manager $168,705 32%

Most common benefits for Category Management Manager

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Category Management Manager

Here are companies hiring for Category Management Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Category Management Manager

1. Where can a Category Management Manager earn the most?

A Category Management Manager's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Category Management Manager earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Category Management Manager is $161,740.

2. What is the highest pay for Category Management Manager?

The highest pay for Category Management Manager is $149,626.

3. What is the lowest pay for Category Management Manager?

The lowest pay for Category Management Manager is $102,409.

4. What are the responsibilities of Category Management Manager?

Manages a team that provides category insights and proposals by analyzing marketing and customer data and monitoring relevant market conditions. Develops the overall strategy for a product category, and researches new product options in the category to drive sales and achieve targets. Oversees the analysis and assessment of category/brand performance. Reviews market-specific assessments of competitors, vendors, and customers and makes recommendations based on findings. Monitors competitor pricing and adjusts strategies accordingly. Develops special arrangements with vendors to enhance product promotions. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a director. Manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs. True first level manager. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Has full authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1-3 years supervisory experience may be required. Extensive knowledge of the function and department processes.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Category Management Manager?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Category Management Manager roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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