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Category Leader Salary in Kentucky

How much does a Category Leader make in Kentucky? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Category Leader in Kentucky is $265,384 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $128.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $318,924
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $248,700 to $293,409
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $233,510
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Category Leader Job Openings in Kentucky

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): $118,451
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $136,463
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $167,605
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $201,345
  • Expert (over 8 years): $259,545
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Category Management Manager less than 1 year $118,451
Category Management Senior Manager 1-2 years $136,463
Category Management Director 2-4 years $167,605
VP of Category Management 5-8 years $201,345
Category Leader over 8 years $259,545

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:

  • Graham: $256,235
  • Greenville: $255,349
  • Hartford: $256,686

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 $344,999 $166.0 30%
Biotechnology $331,730 $159.0 25%
Software & Networking $318,460 $153.0 20%
Insurance $305,191 $147.0 15%
Chemicals $278,653 $134.0 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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$248,700
Average $265,384/year
$293,409
$20,725
Average $22,115/month
$24,451
$4,783
Average $5,104/week
$5,642
$120
Average $128/hour
$141
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $293,409 $24,451 $5,642 $141
Average $265,384 $22,115 $5,104 $128
25th Percentile $248,700 $20,725 $4,783 $120

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.

  • Patterson | SAINT PAUL, MN

    Category Manager

    Patterson | SAINT PAUL, MN

    Patterson is seeking a Category Manager, Digital to lead strategy, pricing, and performance for our digital product portfolio in dental and animal health. ... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Reser's Fine Foods, Inc. | WEST SLOPE, OR

    Purchasing Category Manager

    Reser's Fine Foods, Inc. | WEST SLOPE, OR

    Reser’s Fine Foods, Inc. seeks a Purchasing Category Manager to lead sourcing and category strategies for ingredients and packaging in a high-volume manufa... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Patterson | MENDOTA, MN

    Senior Category Manager

    Patterson | MENDOTA, MN

    Patterson is seeking a Senior Category Manager to lead strategic category planning and performance across our dental and animal health wholesale portfolio.... more

    7 Days Ago

  • cumberlandfarmsinc | WESTBOROUGH, MA

    Category Manager Commissary

    cumberlandfarmsinc | WESTBOROUGH, MA

    As a Category Manager, Commissary at cumberlandfarmsinc, you will own the strategy, performance, and growth of in-store prepared foods and packaged commiss... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Edward Jones | TEMPE, AZ

    Team Leader

    Edward Jones | TEMPE, AZ

    Edward Jones is seeking a Team Leader to guide a client-focused branch team within our Finance & Insurance business. In this role, you will lead and coach ... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Music and Arts | BISHOP'S CORNER, CT

    Sales Leader

    Music and Arts | BISHOP'S CORNER, CT

    Music & Arts, a leading national music retailer and lesson provider, seeks a Sales Leader to drive retail performance in our student‑focused environment. T... more

    7 Days Ago

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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