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Category Leader Salary in Tennessee

How much does a Category Leader make in Tennessee? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Category Leader in Tennessee is $263,550 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $127.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $316,721
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $246,982 to $291,382
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $231,897
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Category Leader Job Openings in Tennessee

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): $117,632
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $135,520
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $166,447
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $199,954
  • Expert (over 8 years): $257,753
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Category Management Manager less than 1 year $117,632
Category Management Senior Manager 1-2 years $135,520
Category Management Director 2-4 years $166,447
VP of Category Management 5-8 years $199,954
Category Leader over 8 years $257,753

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:

  • Cornersville: $259,038
  • Lexington: $254,058
  • Iron City: $245,196

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 $342,616 $165.0 30%
Biotechnology $329,438 $158.0 25%
Software & Networking $316,261 $152.0 20%
Insurance $303,083 $146.0 15%
Chemicals $276,728 $133.0 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
$246,982
Average $263,550/year
$291,382
$20,582
Average $21,963/month
$24,282
$4,750
Average $5,068/week
$5,603
$119
Average $127/hour
$140
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $291,382 $24,282 $5,603 $140
Average $263,550 $21,963 $5,068 $127
25th Percentile $246,982 $20,582 $4,750 $119

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.

  • EMERALD CASCADE RESTAURANT SYSTEM INC | WINNEMUCCA, NV

    Team Leader

    EMERALD CASCADE RESTAURANT SYSTEM INC | WINNEMUCCA, NV

    Description. Work Happy. Be Happy. Be You. Bring home the bacon, and put a burger on it. Feel empowered to act as the first-line operational supervisor tra... more

    23 Days Ago

  • Parkview Health | FORT WAYNE, IN

    Nurse Leader

    Parkview Health | FORT WAYNE, IN

    The 4/5 West Observation Unit is a brand new unit at Parkview Randallia. This new department will be is a 20‐bed unit serving low‐acuity patients expected ... more

    23 Days Ago

  • 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

    4 Days Ago

  • Marvin | FARGO, ND

    Materials Category Manager Manufacturing

    Marvin | FARGO, ND

    Marvin is seeking a Category Manager to lead strategic sourcing and category strategy for key materials used in our premium windows, doors, and skylights. ... more

    3 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

    4 Days Ago

  • Breakthru Beverage Group | RIDGELAND, SC

    Category Manager Beverage Alcohol

    Breakthru Beverage Group | RIDGELAND, SC

    Breakthru Beverage Group seeks a Category Developer to turn data into actionable strategies across leading wine, spirits, and beer brands. In this role, yo... more

    5 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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