Category Merchant Salary in the United States

How much does a Category Merchant make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Category Merchant in the United States is $58,207 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $28.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $65,171
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $51,908 to $61,852
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $46,173
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View as table View as graph 25% $51,908 10% $46,173 90% $65,171 75% $61,852 $58,207 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Category Merchant Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $61,852 $5,154 $1,189 $30
Average $58,207 $4,851 $1,119 $28
25th Percentile $51,908 $4,326 $998 $25
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Key Factors That Influence Category Merchant Salaries

A Category Merchant'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Category Merchant Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Category Merchant'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $58,644
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $58,907
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $59,519
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $60,328
  • Expert (over 8 years): $60,567
Levels Salary
Entry Level Category Merchant$58,644
Intermediate Level Category Merchant$58,907
Senior Level Category Merchant$59,519
Specialist Level Category Merchant$60,328
Expert Level Category Merchant$60,567
$58,644 0 yr
$58,907 < 2 yrs
$59,519 2-4 yrs
$60,328 5-8 yrs
$60,567 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Category Merchant 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 Merchants. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $64,446.
  • California: $64,202.
  • Massachusetts: $63,346.

Top Paying Cities for Category Merchants

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: $73,416
  • San Francisco: $72,694
  • Oakland: $71,082

What Skills Can Increase a Category Merchant's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 12.75% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Product Knowledge (Mentioned in 1.54% Job Postings): Product knowledge is the ability to communicate information and answer questions about a product or service. It is considered an important knowledge area for any role that puts you in front of customers, investors or the media.
  • Services Marketing (Mentioned in 1.01% Job Postings): Services marketing is a form of marketing businesses that provide a service to their customers use to increase brand awareness and sales
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 12.75%
Product Knowledge 1.54%
Services Marketing 1.01%
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 Merchant's salary.
  • Services Marketing: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Results Oriented: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Category Management: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Services Marketing
$66,938
15%
Results Oriented
$66,938
15%
Category Management
$66,938
15%
Hard Working
$64,609
11%
Confidentiality
$64,609
11%
Leadership
$62,281
7%
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How Education impacts a Category Merchant's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Category Merchants enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Category Merchant with a No Diploma is between $61,099 and $67,620).

Category Merchant Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Category Merchant
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 3.4%
High School 17.7%
Associates 15.8%
Bachelors 57.1%
Masters 5.9%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Category Merchant Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Category Merchant'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 January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Category Merchant

Salaries for a Category Merchant can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $56,691 in 2023 to around $56,203 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Category Merchant salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Category Merchant Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$56,691
2024
$56,723
2025
$56,203
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $56,691
2024 $56,723
2025 $56,203
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Category Merchant

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Category Merchant

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

Find Your Next Category Merchant Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Category Merchant job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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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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