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The differences between associate category managers and merchandising managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 8-10 years to become both an associate category manager and a merchandising manager. Additionally, a merchandising manager has an average salary of $86,346, which is higher than the $76,432 average annual salary of an associate category manager.
The top three skills for an associate category manager include data analysis, category strategies and category performance. The most important skills for a merchandising manager are sales floor, POS, and apparel.
| Associate Category Manager | Merchandising Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $76,432 | $86,346 |
| Hourly rate | $36.75 | $41.51 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 42,374 | 268,577 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 82% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 10 | 10 |
An associate category manager is responsible for conducting data and statistical analysis from the current market trends to identify opportunities and products that would generate more revenue resources and increase the store's profitability. Associate category managers develop cost-efficient techniques by building a strong business relationship with trusted suppliers and vendors. They also monitor the store's display category according to customers' demands and guide the staff in placing products in the appropriate sections. An associate category manager must have excellent leadership and communication skills, especially in responding to customers' inquiries and concerns and resolving complaints efficiently.
A merchandising manager is responsible for supervising stock inventories, retail pricing, and managing product displays by analyzing customer preferences through researching the current market trends that would improve the store's sales condition and achieve profitability goals. Merchandising managers negotiate with reliable third-party vendors, minimizing costs without compromising the quality of the products. They also assist with planning floor layouts for store visuals that would attract customers and marketing promotional offers and special discounts to increase more revenues.
Associate category managers and merchandising managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Associate Category Manager | Merchandising Manager | |
| Average salary | $76,432 | $86,346 |
| Salary range | Between $58,000 And $99,000 | Between $64,000 And $116,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Woonsocket, RI |
| Highest paying state | - | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | - | Roku |
| Best paying industry | - | Retail |
There are a few differences between an associate category manager and a merchandising manager in terms of educational background:
| Associate Category Manager | Merchandising Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 82% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Georgia | University of Georgia |
Here are the differences between associate category managers' and merchandising managers' demographics:
| Associate Category Manager | Merchandising Manager | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 42.6% Female, 57.4% | Male, 47.7% Female, 52.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.0% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 8.2% White, 74.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 3.0% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 8.2% White, 74.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |