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The differences between category managers and associate brand managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 8-10 years to become both a category manager and an associate brand manager. Additionally, a category manager has an average salary of $102,035, which is higher than the $95,925 average annual salary of an associate brand manager.
The top three skills for a category manager include strategic sourcing, category strategy and supplier performance. The most important skills for an associate brand manager are customer service, sales floor, and loyalty programs.
| Category Manager | Associate Brand Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $102,035 | $95,925 |
| Hourly rate | $49.06 | $46.12 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 108,424 | 69,511 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 10 | 10 |
Category managers are usually employed in the retail industry. They are primarily responsible for the sales enhancement of a specific group of products. The managers are involved in pricing, marketing, inventory, and vendor management. Their daily tasks include meeting with suppliers to talk about the plans, conducting orientation to the market research company, and updating category reports. Qualified applicants must have a degree in business administration or a related field as well as relevant job experience in a related job.
Associate brand managers are responsible for developing and maintaining a company's product or brand. They help the brand manager in all brand-related activities. They typically perform various tasks, which include developing marketing plans and strategies, getting involved in the development of marketing ad campaigns, and creating and maintaining a positive brand image. Additionally, associate brand managers may assist in defining product pricing and packaging and monitor both media and competitive activities. They are also expected to design ad campaigns and report the results of these campaigns to the brand manager.
Category managers and associate brand managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Category Manager | Associate Brand Manager | |
| Average salary | $102,035 | $95,925 |
| Salary range | Between $74,000 And $138,000 | Between $67,000 And $137,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ |
| Highest paying state | Nevada | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | McKinsey & Company Inc | The Walt Disney Company |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a category manager and an associate brand manager in terms of educational background:
| Category Manager | Associate Brand Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Business | Marketing |
| Most common college | University of Georgia | University of Georgia |
Here are the differences between category managers' and associate brand managers' demographics:
| Category Manager | Associate Brand Manager | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 55.7% Female, 44.3% | Male, 40.0% Female, 60.0% |
| 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% |