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Category Leader Salary in the United States

How much does a Category Leader make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Category Leader in the United States is $282,023 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $136.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $338,920
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $264,293 to $311,805
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $248,151
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Category Leader Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Category Leader Salaries

A Category Leader'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 Experience Level Affects Category Leader Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Category Leader'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): $125,877
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $145,019
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $178,113
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $213,969
  • Expert (over 8 years): $275,819
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Category Management Manager less than 1 year $125,877
Category Management Senior Manager 1-2 years $145,019
Category Management Director 2-4 years $178,113
VP of Category Management 5-8 years $213,969
Category Leader over 8 years $275,819

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

  • District of Columbia: $312,256.
  • California: $311,071.
  • Massachusetts: $306,926.

Top Paying Cities for Category Leader

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: $355,716
  • San Francisco: $351,821
  • Oakland: $344,406

Category Leader Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Category Leader 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 Internet and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Category Leader positions in Transportation or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Category Leader as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Category Leader

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Internet $366,630 $176.0 30%
Biotechnology $352,529 $169.0 25%
Software & Networking $338,428 $163.0 20%
Insurance $324,326 $156.0 15%
Chemicals $296,124 $142.0 5%

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

Understanding how a Category Leader'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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$264,293
Average $282,023/year
$311,805
$22,024
Average $23,502/month
$25,984
$5,083
Average $5,424/week
$5,996
$127
Average $136/hour
$150
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $311,805 $25,984 $5,996 $150
Average $282,023 $23,502 $5,424 $136
25th Percentile $264,293 $22,024 $5,083 $127

Most common benefits for Category Leader

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Category Leader

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

Find Your Next Category Leader Job

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

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Field Service Technician

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Mechanical Field Engineer

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Field Service Engineer

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    4 Days Ago

  • CyLogic | Ashburn, VA

    SVP Revenue Growth

    CyLogic | Ashburn, VA

    A Leadership Opportunity to Shape the Next Phase of Growth. CyLogic is seeking an experienced revenue leader to oversee Sales and Marketing, strengthen go-... more

    5 Days Ago

  • ProspectBlue | Ashburn, VA

    Staff Accountant

    ProspectBlue | Ashburn, VA

    ProspectBlue is partnering with a well-established and growing organization in Ashburn, VA to identify a Staff Accountant to join its corporate accounting ... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Morcom International, Inc. | Ashburn, VA

    Senior Account

    Morcom International, Inc. | Ashburn, VA

    About the Opportunity. ACG Systems is a mission-critical communications platform. Through Morcom, an ACG Systems company, we design, deploy, and support wi... more

    5 Days Ago

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FAQ about Category Leader

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Category Leader?

The Internet industry offers the highest average compensation for Category Leader roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

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.)

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