How much does a Category Manager make?
A Category Manager has the responsibility of overseeing a specific set of products within a company. This role involves coordinating with suppliers, tracking market trends, and ensuring products meet customer needs. These managers often work in retail, manufacturing, and distribution industries. Their key goal is to maximize the sales and profitability of the product categories they manage.
Category Managers can earn a good salary. The average yearly salary for this position is about $94,800. However, salaries can vary based on experience, company size, and industry. Category Managers in larger companies or in industries like technology may earn more. The range of salaries starts at around $29,950 for those just starting out, and can go as high as $176,700 for those with more experience and in higher-paying sectors. This makes it a potentially rewarding career for those who enjoy strategic planning and product management.
What are the highest paying cities for a Category Manager?

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Boston, MA
Average Salary: $140,861
In Boston, professionals thrive in dynamic markets. Companies like Liberty Mutual and State Street trust category managers to drive growth. They analyze data to improve product offerings and boost sales.
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San Jose, CA
Average Salary: $133,874
San Jose offers a tech-driven environment. Leading firms such as Intel and Cisco seek category managers to enhance product lines. They focus on market trends to meet customer needs effectively.
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San Francisco, CA
Average Salary: $129,184
San Francisco's competitive market rewards skilled category managers. Companies like Salesforce and Uber rely on them to refine product strategies. They play a key role in brand positioning and market expansion.
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Seattle, WA
Average Salary: $123,328
Seattle's innovative culture provides a fertile ground for category managers. With giants like Amazon and Microsoft, they work on product development and market research. Their insights help shape market strategies.
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Austin, TX
Average Salary: $123,158
Austin offers a vibrant job scene for category managers. Firms like Dell and Whole Foods depend on them to optimize product offerings. They analyze market data to drive sales and customer satisfaction.
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Madison, WI
Average Salary: $122,358
In Madison, category managers find opportunities in diverse markets. Companies like Epic Systems and American Family Insurance seek their expertise. They focus on product development and customer engagement.
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San Diego, CA
Average Salary: $122,147
San Diego attracts category managers with its thriving tech and biotech sectors. Companies like Qualcomm and Illumina rely on them to enhance product strategies. They blend market insights with data analysis.
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Washington, DC
Average Salary: $121,819
Washington, DC provides a political and corporate hub for category managers. Major firms like Lockheed Martin and Marriott International seek their insights. They work on product innovation and market strategy.
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Denver, CO
Average Salary: $120,779
Denver offers a dynamic market for category managers. Companies such as CoorsTek and DaVita focus on their expertise. They analyze market trends to improve product lines and boost sales.
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Greeley, CO
Average Salary: $118,531
Greeley provides a community-focused environment for category managers. Local firms depend on their skills to enhance product offerings. They work closely with teams to meet market demands effectively.
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What are the best companies a Category Manager can work for?

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Takeda Pharmaceuticals
Average Salary: $201,906
Takeda Pharmaceuticals values its Category Managers, offering them high salaries to manage product categories effectively. The company operates globally, with headquarters in Japan and major operations in North America, Europe, and Asia. Category Managers here work on innovative pharmaceutical products, ensuring they meet market needs.
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Amazon Web Services
Average Salary: $175,371
Amazon Web Services (AWS) offers Category Managers competitive salaries to drive cloud computing solutions. AWS has a significant presence in North America, Europe, and other regions. Category Managers at AWS focus on a wide array of services, ensuring they meet the growing demands of businesses.
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Google
Average Salary: $168,818
Google provides high compensation for its Category Managers who are pivotal in managing product categories for its diverse services. With operations worldwide, including the United States, Europe, and Asia, Category Managers here deal with cutting-edge technology products, driving innovation and market growth.
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Microsoft
Average Salary: $154,970
Microsoft offers Category Managers an attractive average salary to manage its extensive product lineup. Operating in various global markets like North America, Europe, and Asia, Microsoft’s Category Managers focus on software, hardware, and services to meet customer needs.
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Chewy
Average Salary: $153,917
Chewy provides robust salaries to its Category Managers, who manage pet products across numerous categories. The company operates throughout the United States, offering a wide range of pet supplies. Category Managers ensure that pet owners have access to quality products.
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T-Mobile
Average Salary: $151,312
T-Mobile offers Category Managers a strong salary to manage telecommunications products. With a presence in the United States, the company ensures its products meet consumer needs across various categories. Category Managers here focus on mobile services and devices.
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Kimberly-Clark
Average Salary: $150,974
Kimberly-Clark provides competitive salaries to its Category Managers who manage household and personal care products. The company operates globally, with major markets in North America, Europe, and Asia. Category Managers ensure the quality and availability of essential products.
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Amazon.com
Average Salary: $146,819
Amazon.com offers Category Managers a solid salary to manage an extensive range of products. The company operates worldwide, offering a variety of goods to customers in North America, Europe, and Asia. Category Managers ensure a wide selection of products is available.
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Eaton
Average Salary: $145,944
Eaton provides Category Managers with a good salary to manage electrical and power management products. With operations in North America, Europe, and Asia, Eaton’s Category Managers focus on industrial and commercial products, ensuring reliability and efficiency.
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Abbott
Average Salary: $145,316
Abbott offers Category Managers a competitive salary to manage healthcare products. The company operates in various global markets, providing nutritional, medical devices, and pharmaceutical products. Category Managers ensure high-quality and effective health solutions.
How to earn more as a Category Manager?
Category Managers oversee specific product lines or categories within a company. They work to ensure that these items meet customer needs and company goals. Increasing earnings in this role often depends on mastering certain skills and strategies. A Category Manager who knows how to negotiate effectively and manage costs can boost their income.
One of the key factors to earning more is gaining experience. As Category Managers gain more years in the field, they learn the ins and outs of the industry. This knowledge helps them to make better decisions and strategies. Another important factor is building strong relationships with suppliers and vendors. Good relationships can lead to better deals and cost savings. Here are five factors to consider:
- Negotiate better contracts: A Category Manager who can negotiate well often earns more. This means they can get better deals that save the company money.
- Manage costs: Keeping an eye on costs and finding ways to reduce them can lead to higher earnings. This includes looking for cheaper suppliers or cutting unnecessary expenses.
- Build supplier relationships: Strong relationships can lead to better prices and terms. Suppliers may offer discounts or special deals to reliable customers.
- Analyze market trends: Understanding market trends helps Category Managers make smart decisions. They can adjust strategies based on what is happening in the market, which can lead to better sales and profits.
- Increase sales: A Category Manager who can increase sales often earns more. This means finding new ways to promote products and reach more customers.



