How Much Does a Category Manager Make? (2025)
A category manager is responsible for overseeing and optimizing a specific product category within a company. This includes managing product assortments, setting pricing strategies, analyzing market trends, and working closely with suppliers and vendors to ensure profitability.
According to the BLS, employment for Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers, including category managers, is projected to grow 8% from 2023 to 2033.
The salary of a category manager is influenced by factors such as experience, location, industry, and the size of the company. For 2025, the average annual salary for a category manager in the United States is $136,165.
Find out and monitor how much category managers earn, which US cities pay the most, how to make more money, and answers to common questions about this job title.
Average Category Manager Salary
As mentioned, the annual average salary for category managers in the United States for 2025 is $136,165.
As of January 01, 2025, category manager salaries in the U.S. range from $106,532 to $169,069, with most earning between $120,654 and $153,388 annually.
2025 Category Manager Average Salary: $136,165 ($65 per hour)
A category manager earns an average monthly salary of $11,347, with an average weekly rate of $2,619. The average hourly rate is $65, according to a Salary.com report.
| Percentile | Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $169,069 | $14,089 | $3,251 | $81 |
| 75th Percentile | $153,388 | $12,782 | $2,950 | $74 |
| Average | $136,165 | $11,347 | $2,619 | $65 |
| 25th Percentile | $120,654 | $10,055 | $2,320 | $58 |
| 10th Percentile | $106,532 | $8,878 | $2,048 | $51 |
Category Manager Salaries State by State
Category manager salaries can vary significantly across different states, influenced by factors such as local economic conditions, cost of living, industry presence, and demand for experienced procurement professionals.
Category managers earn the most in the District of Columbia ($151,552), followed by California ($150,191) and New Jersey ($149,237). Mississippi has the lowest average at $121,458. Here are the average annual salaries for category managers in different states across the U.S. as of January 01, 2025:
| State | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $151,552 |
| California | $150,191 |
| New Jersey | $149,237 |
| Massachusetts | $148,148 |
| Washington | $146,786 |
| New York | $145,152 |
| Rhode Island | $142,156 |
| Hawaii | $142,293 |
| Maryland | $140,386 |
| Illinois | $139,297 |
| Minnesota | $139,297 |
| Colorado | $138,888 |
| Delaware | $138,207 |
| Nevada | $136,709 |
| Virginia | $136,573 |
| Pennsylvania | $135,892 |
| North Dakota | $134,803 |
| Wisconsin | $134,531 |
| Michigan | $134,394 |
| North Carolina | $130,718 |
| Arizona | $132,624 |
| Maine | $132,488 |
| Indiana | $132,079 |
| Iowa | $130,309 |
| Missouri | $129,764 |
| Kansas | $129,628 |
| Florida | $129,356 |
| Utah | $129,492 |
| Louisiana | $129,492 |
| South Carolina | $128,539 |
| Nebraska | $128,267 |
| Kentucky | $128,130 |
| Idaho | $127,041 |
| Montana | $127,177 |
| Tennessee | $126,088 |
| Alabama | $125,135 |
| New Mexico | $125,543 |
| Oklahoma | $125,952 |
| Arkansas | $124,045 |
| West Virginia | $122,547 |
| South Dakota | $122,411 |
| Mississippi | $121,458 |
What are the Best-Paying Cities for Category Managers?
Just like state-based differences, Category manager salaries also vary by city due to the cost of living, demand, and local job market conditions. For example, employers in cities in California, such as San Jose, San Francisco, and Oakland, offer some of the highest average annual pay for category managers, making these cities attractive locations for professionals in this field.
| City | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $170,889 |
| San Francisco, CA | $170,208 |
| Oakland, CA | $166,123 |
| New York, NY | $159,042 |
| Queens Village, NY | $157,953 |
| Paramus, NJ | $156,863 |
| Passaic, NJ | $156,727 |
| Bergenfield, NJ | $156,591 |
| Stamford, CT | $156,318 |
| Huntington, NY | $155,229 |
| Bridgeport, CT | $154,276 |
| Newark, NJ | $153,867 |
How Experience Affects Category Manager Salary?
The salary for category managers can also increase with experience. In the report, an entry-level Category Manager earns about $128,190 annually. With under 2 years of experience, the pay increases slightly to $128,900.
Category managers with 2 to 4 years of experience earn around $131,266, while senior category managers with 5 to 8 years make about $134,105. Those with over 8 years of experience can expect to earn a median salary of $138,353.
| Experience Level | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (Less than 1 year) | $128,190 |
| 1-2 years of experience | $128,900 |
| 2-4 years of experience | $131,266 |
| 5-8 years of experience | $134,105 |
| Over 8 years of experience | $138,353 |
How to Increase Salary as a Category Manager?
Increasing your salary as a category manager requires strategic actions supported by proven methods. Here’s how to achieve it:
- Pursue Additional Education: Earning a Master’s degree (such as an MBA) or specialized certifications can make a category manager more competitive and qualified for higher-paying roles.
- Gain Industry-Specific Experience: Working in a specialized industry like technology or pharmaceuticals can lead to higher salaries due to the complexity or high-value products in those sectors.
- Earn Professional Certifications: Certifications such as Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) or Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) can improve expertise and increase earning potential.
- Deliver Strong Performance and Results: Category managers who consistently achieve or exceed targets (like sales growth or profit margins) are often rewarded with higher salaries or performance-based bonuses.
- Demonstrate Leadership Skills: Taking on leadership roles within projects or teams, and showing innovation in managing categories, can position a category manager for promotions and salary increases.
Category Manager Skills
Category managers with certain in-demand skills can significantly increase their salaries. According to the Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report, a category manager with expertise in Presentation Software can earn a 6.67% salary increase, while those proficient in Product Development may see a 6.58% boost.
Below are some of the key skills for category managers and the potential salary increases:
| Skill | Demand (%) | Salary Increase (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Strategic Sourcing | 25.53% | +3.75% |
| Merchandising | 20.17% | +6.55% |
| Presentation Software | 17.60% | +6.67% |
| Market Research | 16.51% | +1.55% |
| Promotion | 15.02% | +6.36% |
| Product Development | 10.51% | +6.58% |
Category Manager Salary FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about category manager salaries:
What is the average salary of a Category Manager?
The average annual salary for a full-services category manager in the United States is $136,165 as of January 01, 2025. While the average hourly pay is $65, and the average monthly salary is $11,347.
What is the highest pay for a Category Manager?
The highest salary reported for a category manager is $169,069. To earn $169,069, a category manager typically needs more years of experience and works in a high-demand industry or large company.
What is the lowest pay for a Category Manager?
The lowest pay for a category manager is around $104,357, typically for those with less experience or working in lower-cost regions or smaller companies.
