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The differences between associate category managers and product 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 product manager. Additionally, a product manager has an average salary of $111,729, 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 product manager are product management, QA, and product strategy.
| Associate Category Manager | Product Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $76,432 | $111,729 |
| Hourly rate | $36.75 | $53.72 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 42,374 | 125,678 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 82% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| 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 product manager is responsible for ensuring product development, providing the best marketing strategies, and effectively handling the sales and marketing team. Product managers' duties include monitoring the market trends and conditions, identifying business opportunities and plan initiatives, and collaborating the product launch process with the appropriate departments. A product manager is also responsible for generating ideas on improving product features, determining timetables and reasonable pricing, and analyzing product sales. A product manager must have excellent strategic and decision-making skills to contribute to its growth and profitability.
Associate category managers and product managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Associate Category Manager | Product Manager | |
| Average salary | $76,432 | $111,729 |
| Salary range | Between $58,000 And $99,000 | Between $81,000 And $152,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | California |
| Best paying company | - | Meta |
| Best paying industry | - | Retail |
There are a few differences between an associate category manager and a product manager in terms of educational background:
| Associate Category Manager | Product Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 82% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Georgia | University of Georgia |
Here are the differences between associate category managers' and product managers' demographics:
| Associate Category Manager | Product Manager | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 42.6% Female, 57.4% | Male, 65.3% Female, 34.7% |
| 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% |