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Salary

How much does a Category Manager make?

The average salary for a Category Manager is $94,800 per year in the US.

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.

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What are the highest paying cities for a Category Manager?

Category Manager positions offer promising career opportunities, especially in high-paying cities. Boston, MA, leads the way with an average salary of $140,861, followed closely by San Jose, CA, with $133,874. San Francisco, CA, Seattle, WA, and Austin, TX also provide attractive salaries for Category Managers, making these cities ideal for career growth and financial success. Employers in cities like Madison, WI, and San Diego, CA, offer competitive wages, while Washington, DC, Denver, CO, and Greeley, CO, present strong options for those seeking stability in their professional journey. These cities stand out for their balanced cost of living and excellent opportunities in the industry.
Graph displaying highest paying cities salaries for Category Manager jobs, highlighting Boston, MA with the highest at $140,861 and Greeley, CO with the lowest at $118,531.
  1. 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.
    Find Category Manager jobs in Boston, MA


  2. 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.
    Find Category Manager jobs in San Jose, CA


  3. 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.
    Find Category Manager jobs in San Francisco, CA


  4. 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.
    Find Category Manager jobs in Seattle, WA


  5. 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.
    Find Category Manager jobs in Austin, TX


  6. 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.
    Find Category Manager jobs in Madison, WI


  7. 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.
    Find Category Manager jobs in San Diego, CA


  8. 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.
    Find Category Manager jobs in Washington, DC


  9. 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.
    Find Category Manager jobs in Denver, CO


  10. 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.
    Find Category Manager jobs in Greeley, CO

What are the best companies a Category Manager can work for?

Top companies for Category Manager positions include Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Amazon Web Services, and Google. Takeda Pharmaceuticals offers an average salary of $201,906, making it a top choice for those in the field. Companies like Amazon Web Services and Google also provide competitive salaries above $150,000, reflecting the value placed on these roles. Job seekers can find excellent opportunities with these leading organizations.
Graph displaying best paying company salaries for Category Manager jobs, highlighting Takeda Pharmaceuticals with the highest at $201,906 and Abbott with the lowest at $145,316.
  1. 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.


  2. 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.


  3. 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.


  4. 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.


  5. 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.


  6. 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.


  7. 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.


  8. 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.


  9. 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.


  10. 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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Build supplier relationships: Strong relationships can lead to better prices and terms. Suppliers may offer discounts or special deals to reliable customers.
  4. 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.
  5. Increase sales: A Category Manager who can increase sales often earns more. This means finding new ways to promote products and reach more customers.

Currently 359 Category Manager job openings, nationwide.

How's the job market for a Category Manager in the US?

Learn what a Category Manager does, how to become one, and understand the job outlook. Get simple steps to start your career as a Category Manager today.
Position
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Category Manager
359 Job Openings