What are the main factors that influence a Category Buyer's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

What industry pays the highest salary for Category Buyer?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Category Buyer roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

How does experience change A Category Buyer's salary?

A Category Buyer's salary grows with experience: a Buyer I (0-2 years)earns $65,182, a Category Buyer (2-4 years)earns $79,196, a Buyer III (4-7 years)earns $97,354, a Buyer IV (7+ years)earns $122,122,

What are the highest paying states for a Category Buyer?

Category Buyer salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Category Buyer roles are District of Columbia $80,246, California $79,942, Massachusetts $78,876. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Category Buyer roles make?

Salaries for Category Buyer level roles vary by specialization: Category Director: $286,854; Category Lead: $285,099; SVP of Category: $280,940; VP of Category: $218,000; Category Directory: $181,500.

Category Buyer Salary in Washington

How much does a Category Buyer make in Washington?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Category Buyer in Washington is $78,586 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $38.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $91,061
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $69,804 to $85,116
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $61,808

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Category Buyer Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$85,116	$7,093	$1,637	$41
Average	$78,586	$6,549	$1,511	$38
25th Percentile	$69,804	$5,817	$1,342	$34

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Key Factors That Influence Category Buyer Salaries

A Category Buyer'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 Do Category Buyer 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 Buyers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $80,246.
California: $79,942.
Massachusetts: $78,876.

District of Columbia $80,246 California $79,942 Massachusetts $78,876 Washington $78,586 New Jersey $78,557 Alaska $78,456 Connecticut $77,456 New York $77,050

Hawaii $75,753 Rhode Island $75,144 Maryland $74,731 Minnesota $74,165 Colorado $73,948 Illinois $73,876 Oregon $73,600 Delaware $73,397

New Hampshire $73,270 Virginia $72,984 Pennsylvania $72,151 Nevada $71,730 North Dakota $71,592 Michigan $71,375 Wisconsin $71,295 Vermont $71,136

Texas $70,694 Maine $70,665 Arizona $70,621 Ohio $70,571 Georgia $69,904 Indiana $69,570 Wyoming $69,505 Utah $69,404

Iowa $69,360 Kansas $69,012 Louisiana $68,911 North Carolina $68,875 Missouri $68,860 Florida $68,577 Montana $68,425 Nebraska $68,280

Kentucky $68,201 South Carolina $67,911 Tennessee $67,729 Idaho $67,657 New Mexico $67,128 Oklahoma $67,012 Alabama $66,584 South Dakota $65,867

Arkansas $65,475 West Virginia $65,265 Mississippi $64,635

Top Paying Cities for Category Buyers

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:

Auburn: $78,490
Federal Way: $78,456
Bellevue: $80,069

Auburn, WA $78,490 Federal Way, WA $78,456 Bellevue, WA $80,069 Black Diamond, WA $78,070 Bothell, WA $79,690 Burton, WA $78,600 Carnation, WA $78,512 Duvall, WA $78,771

Edmonds, WA $79,439 Enumclaw, WA $76,930 Fall City, WA $78,863 Hobart, WA $78,560 Issaquah, WA $79,137 Kenmore, WA $79,855 Kent, WA $78,559 Kirkland, WA $80,018

Lynnwood, WA $79,277 Maple Valley, WA $78,491 Medina, WA $80,091 Mercer Island, WA $80,064 Mountlake Terrace, WA $79,491 North Bend, WA $77,727 Pacific, WA $78,445 Preston, WA $78,986

Ravensdale, WA $77,862 Redmond, WA $79,903 Redondo, WA $78,544 Renton, WA $79,406 Rollingbay, WA $79,121 Seahurst, WA $79,553 Snoqualmie, WA $78,317 Snoqualmie Pass, WA $76,003

Vashon, WA $78,657 Woodinville, WA $79,419 Sammamish, WA $79,629 Mill Creek, WA $78,929 Seattle, WA $80,116 Bainbridge Island, WA $79,234 Everett, WA $79,007 Acme, WA $74,908

Anacortes, WA $75,614 Blakely Island, WA $75,096 Arlington, WA $77,899 Baring, WA $77,291 Bellingham, WA $74,810 Blaine, WA $74,655 Bow, WA $74,987 Burlington, WA $75,404

Clearlake, WA $75,829 Clinton, WA $78,778 Concrete, WA $75,021 Conway, WA $76,991 Coupeville, WA $77,371 Custer, WA $74,742 Darrington, WA $75,054 Deer Harbor, WA $75,140

Deming, WA $74,884 Eastsound, WA $74,848 Everson, WA $74,756 Ferndale, WA $74,776 Freeland, WA $78,353 Friday Harbor, WA $75,279 Gold Bar, WA $77,455 Granite Falls, WA $77,794

Greenbank, WA $78,107 Hamilton, WA $75,664 Index, WA $76,295 La Conner, WA $75,995 Lake Stevens, WA $78,995 North Lakewood, WA $78,484 Langley, WA $78,597 Lopez Island, WA $75,443

Lummi Island, WA $74,818 Lyman, WA $75,637 Lynden, WA $74,744 Maple Falls, WA $74,718 Marblemount, WA $74,874 Marysville, WA $79,010 Monroe, WA $78,358 Mount Vernon, WA $76,132

Mukilteo, WA $78,972 Nooksack, WA $74,746 Oak Harbor, WA $76,514 Olga, WA $74,947 Orcas, WA $75,082 Point Roberts, WA $74,497 Camano Island, WA $77,744 Rockport, WA $73,870

Sedro Woolley, WA $75,444 Shaw Island, WA $75,211 Silvana, WA $78,353 Skykomish, WA $75,928 Snohomish, WA $78,728 Stanwood, WA $78,061 Startup, WA $77,890 Sultan, WA $77,949

Sumas, WA $74,720 Waldron, WA $74,847 Anderson Island, WA $77,857 Ashford, WA $76,397 Beaver, WA $74,305 Bremerton, WA $78,652 Silverdale, WA $78,521 Brinnon, WA $77,681

Buckley, WA $77,952 Burley, WA $78,385 Carbonado, WA $77,276 Carlsborg, WA $75,900 Chimacum, WA $77,660 Clallam Bay, WA $74,317 Dupont, WA $77,712 Eatonville, WA $77,072

Gig Harbor, WA $78,126 Elbe, WA $76,630 Forks, WA $74,439 Fox Island, WA $78,334 Glenoma, WA $75,530 Graham, WA $77,929 Port Hadlock, WA $77,637 Hansville, WA $78,357

Indianola, WA $79,414 Joyce, WA $74,601 Kapowsin, WA $77,651 Keyport, WA $78,781 Kingston, WA $78,937 La Grande, WA $76,965 Lakebay, WA $77,936 La Push, WA $74,580

Longbranch, WA $77,608 Sumner, WA $78,292 Manchester, WA $79,286 Milton, WA $78,412 Mineral, WA $75,851 Morton, WA $75,619 Neah Bay, WA $74,402 Nordland, WA $77,815

Olalla, WA $78,476 Orting, WA $77,830 Packwood, WA $74,171 Port Angeles, WA $75,898 Port Gamble, WA $78,617 Port Ludlow, WA $78,175 Port Orchard, WA $78,700 Port Townsend, WA $77,331

Poulsbo, WA $78,809 Puyallup, WA $78,408 Quilcene, WA $77,849 Randle, WA $74,791 Retsil, WA $78,665 Seabeck, WA $78,331 Sekiu, WA $74,318 Sequim, WA $76,475

South Colby, WA $78,937 South Prairie, WA $77,967 Southworth, WA $79,263 Spanaway, WA $78,110 Steilacoom, WA $78,106 Bonney Lake, WA $78,189 Suquamish, WA $79,165 Tracyton, WA $78,685

Vaughn, WA $77,929 Wauna, WA $78,268 Wilkeson, WA $77,699 Longmire, WA $75,579 Paradise Inn, WA $75,519 Tacoma, WA $78,391 Camp Murray, WA $78,179 Mcchord Afb, WA $78,385

Lakewood, WA $78,377 University Place, WA $78,390 Olympia, WA $76,847 Lacey, WA $77,022 Tumwater, WA $76,878 Aberdeen, WA $75,625 Adna, WA $75,895 Allyn, WA $77,843

Amanda Park, WA $74,783 Bay Center, WA $74,854 Belfair, WA $78,000 Bucoda, WA $76,852 Centralia, WA $76,733 Chehalis, WA $76,368 Cinebar, WA $76,253 Copalis Beach, WA $74,942

Copalis Crossing, WA $74,811 Cosmopolis, WA $76,048 Curtis, WA $75,335 Doty, WA $76,109 East Olympia, WA $76,983 Elma, WA $76,780 Ethel, WA $75,678 Galvin, WA $76,688

Grapeview, WA $77,525 Grayland, WA $74,913 Hoodsport, WA $77,282 Hoquiam, WA $75,388 Humptulips, WA $75,075 Lebam, WA $75,270 Lilliwaup, WA $77,665 Littlerock, WA $76,851

Mccleary, WA $76,867 Mckenna, WA $77,202 Malone, WA $76,771 Matlock, WA $76,805 Menlo, WA $75,311 Moclips, WA $74,820 Montesano, WA $76,494 Mossyrock, WA $75,087

Napavine, WA $76,171 Neilton, WA $75,008 Oakville, WA $76,699 Ocean Shores, WA $75,042 Onalaska, WA $76,263 Pacific Beach, WA $74,824 Pe Ell, WA $75,496 Quinault, WA $75,211

Rainier, WA $76,981 Raymond, WA $75,403 Rochester, WA $76,725 Roy, WA $77,596 Ryderwood, WA $74,984 Salkum, WA $75,628 Satsop, WA $76,632 Shelton, WA $77,109

Silver Creek, WA $75,602 South Bend, WA $74,821 Taholah, WA $74,734 Tahuya, WA $77,538 Tenino, WA $76,909 Tokeland, WA $74,985 Toledo, WA $75,307 Union, WA $77,322

Vader, WA $75,252 Westport, WA $75,069 Winlock, WA $75,593 Yelm, WA $76,939 Amboy, WA $75,340 Appleton, WA $73,912 Ariel, WA $75,142 Battle Ground, WA $75,554

Bingen, WA $74,552 Brush Prairie, WA $75,649 Camas, WA $75,642 Carrolls, WA $75,019 Carson, WA $75,125 Castle Rock, WA $75,082 Cathlamet, WA $74,826 Centerville, WA $73,654

Chinook, WA $74,251 Cougar, WA $74,805 Dallesport, WA $73,810 Glenwood, WA $73,861 Goldendale, WA $73,630 Grays River, WA $74,742 Heisson, WA $75,511 Husum, WA $74,381

Ilwaco, WA $74,294 Kalama, WA $75,052 Kelso, WA $75,185 Klickitat, WA $73,811 La Center, WA $75,491 Long Beach, WA $74,439 Longview, WA $75,141 Lyle, WA $73,847

Nahcotta, WA $74,426 Naselle, WA $74,505 North Bonneville, WA $75,040 Ocean Park, WA $74,829 Oysterville, WA $74,594 Ridgefield, WA $75,573 Rosburg, WA $74,413 Seaview, WA $74,402

Silverlake, WA $75,111 Skamokawa, WA $74,615 Stevenson, WA $75,011 Toutle, WA $74,913 Trout Lake, WA $74,218 Underwood, WA $74,510 Vancouver, WA $75,865 Wahkiacus, WA $73,721

Washougal, WA $75,487 White Salmon, WA $74,301 Wishram, WA $73,636 Woodland, WA $75,313 Yacolt, WA $75,382 Wenatchee, WA $73,676 East Wenatchee, WA $73,579 Ardenvoir, WA $73,654

Brewster, WA $73,436 Bridgeport, WA $73,348 Carlton, WA $73,459 Cashmere, WA $73,658 Chelan, WA $73,533 Chelan Falls, WA $73,570 Conconully, WA $73,396 Dryden, WA $73,770

Entiat, WA $73,563 Ephrata, WA $73,293 George, WA $73,684 Leavenworth, WA $74,127 Loomis, WA $73,399 Malaga, WA $73,689 Malott, WA $73,422 Mansfield, WA $73,110

Manson, WA $73,551 Marlin, WA $72,962 Mazama, WA $73,474 Methow, WA $73,379 Monitor, WA $73,639 Moses Lake, WA $73,315 Okanogan, WA $73,349 Omak, WA $73,416

Orondo, WA $73,459 Oroville, WA $73,505 Palisades, WA $73,240 Pateros, WA $73,407 Peshastin, WA $73,609 Quincy, WA $73,556 Riverside, WA $73,399 Rock Island, WA $73,423

Soap Lake, WA $73,183 Stehekin, WA $73,493 Stratford, WA $72,999 Tonasket, WA $73,438 Twisp, WA $73,508 Warden, WA $73,592 Waterville, WA $73,257 Wauconda, WA $73,352

Wilson Creek, WA $72,927 Winthrop, WA $73,532 Yakima, WA $72,883 Brownstown, WA $72,883 Buena, WA $73,099 Cle Elum, WA $74,097 Cowiche, WA $72,883 Easton, WA $75,272

Ellensburg, WA $72,958 Naches, WA $74,066 Grandview, WA $74,836 Granger, WA $73,989 Harrah, WA $72,883 Kittitas, WA $72,946 Mabton, WA $74,087 Moxee, WA $73,117

Outlook, WA $73,986 Parker, WA $72,904 Ronald, WA $74,489 Roslyn, WA $74,400 Selah, WA $72,883 South Cle Elum, WA $74,434 Sunnyside, WA $75,152 Thorp, WA $73,203

Tieton, WA $72,883 Toppenish, WA $73,818 Vantage, WA $73,649 Wapato, WA $72,935 White Swan, WA $73,064 Zillah, WA $73,206 Airway Heights, WA $73,897 Chattaroy, WA $73,805

Cheney, WA $73,798 Colbert, WA $73,865 Deer Park, WA $73,789 Edwall, WA $73,703 Elk, WA $73,650 Fairchild Air Force Base, WA $73,887 Fairfield, WA $73,724 Ford, WA $73,737

Four Lakes, WA $73,888 Greenacres, WA $73,841 Lamont, WA $73,557 Latah, WA $73,610 Liberty Lake, WA $73,803 Marshall, WA $73,897 Mead, WA $73,811 Medical Lake, WA $73,852

Mica, WA $73,843 Newman Lake, WA $73,762 Nine Mile Falls, WA $73,858 Otis Orchards, WA $73,833 Reardan, WA $73,793 Rockford, WA $73,781 Spangle, WA $73,811 Sprague, WA $73,571

Tekoa, WA $73,499 Tumtum, WA $73,765 Valleyford, WA $73,868 Veradale, WA $73,883 Waverly, WA $73,699 Wellpinit, WA $73,648 Addy, WA $73,545 Albion, WA $73,451

Almira, WA $72,985 Belmont, WA $73,380 Benge, WA $73,333 Boyds, WA $73,366 Chewelah, WA $73,607 Clayton, WA $73,741 Colfax, WA $73,441 Colton, WA $72,960

Colville, WA $73,454 Coulee City, WA $73,037 Coulee Dam, WA $73,254 Creston, WA $73,260 Curlew, WA $73,402 Cusick, WA $73,149 Danville, WA $73,381 Davenport, WA $73,557

Electric City, WA $73,233 Elmer City, WA $73,425 Endicott, WA $73,482 Evans, WA $73,459 Farmington, WA $73,282 Fruitland, WA $73,531 Garfield, WA $73,345 Gifford, WA $73,473

Grand Coulee, WA $73,188 Harrington, WA $73,483 Hartline, WA $72,933 Hay, WA $73,256 Hunters, WA $73,485 Inchelium, WA $73,309 Ione, WA $72,938 Keller, WA $73,167

Kettle Falls, WA $73,415 Lacrosse, WA $73,333 Lamona, WA $73,238 Laurier, WA $73,362 Lincoln, WA $73,477 Loon Lake, WA $73,678 Malden, WA $73,682 Malo, WA $73,447

Marcus, WA $73,682 Metaline, WA $73,263 Metaline Falls, WA $72,839 Mohler, WA $73,425 Nespelem, WA $73,259 Newport, WA $73,378 Northport, WA $73,463 Oakesdale, WA $73,526

Odessa, WA $73,091 Orient, WA $73,344 Palouse, WA $73,224 Pullman, WA $73,181 Republic, WA $73,368 Rice, WA $73,439 Ritzville, WA $73,394 Rosalia, WA $73,704

Saint John, WA $73,548 Springdale, WA $73,646 Steptoe, WA $73,891 Thornton, WA $73,563 Uniontown, WA $72,890 Usk, WA $73,305 Valley, WA $73,615 Wilbur, WA $73,207

Spokane, WA $73,897 Pasco, WA $76,130 Benton City, WA $76,118 Beverly, WA $73,876 Bickleton, WA $73,678 Burbank, WA $76,399 College Place, WA $74,840 Connell, WA $74,607

Dayton, WA $73,374 Dixie, WA $74,066 Eltopia, WA $75,709 Hooper, WA $73,173 Kahlotus, WA $73,789 Kennewick, WA $76,847 Lind, WA $73,403 Mesa, WA $75,492

Othello, WA $74,245 Paterson, WA $75,240 Plymouth, WA $76,466 Pomeroy, WA $73,367 Prescott, WA $74,496 Mattawa, WA $74,429 Prosser, WA $75,375 Richland, WA $76,398

West Richland, WA $76,398 Roosevelt, WA $73,318 Royal City, WA $73,801 Starbuck, WA $73,580 Touchet, WA $75,626 Waitsburg, WA $73,849 Walla Walla, WA $74,513 Wallula, WA $76,215

Washtucna, WA $73,280 Anatone, WA $72,759 Asotin, WA $72,978 Clarkston, WA $73,147

Category Buyer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Category Buyer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 67% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Category Buyer positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Category Buyer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Category Buyer

Industry Sector	Average Annual Salary	Average Hourly Rate	Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking	$98,233	$47.0	25%
Financial Services	$94,304	$45.0	20%
Pharmaceuticals	$92,732	$45.0	18%
Insurance	$90,374	$43.0	15%
Energy & Utilities	$88,017	$42.0	12%

Category Buyer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Category Buyer'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

$69,804

Average $78,586/year

$85,116

$5,817

Average $6,549/month

$7,093

$1,342

Average $1,511/week

$1,637

$34

Average $38/hour

$41

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$85,116	$7,093	$1,637	$41
Average	$78,586	$6,549	$1,511	$38
25th Percentile	$69,804	$5,817	$1,342	$34

Salaries of jobs related to Category Buyer

Find Your Next Category Buyer Job

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

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