How Much Does a Category Director Earn in Turkey?
According to ElemanBuldum.com data, the average monthly salary for a Category Director in Turkey is approximately 131,115 TRY as of October 2026. Salaries for this position typically range from a low of 105,666 TRY to a high of 178,985 TRY. The final salary can vary depending on the employees years of experience, the company, and the city of employment.
The Category Director salary is calculated and published based on salary information shared by job seekers in their resumes and salary figures specified by employers in job postings.
According to October 2026 data, a Category Director earns an average monthly salary of 131,115 TRY (approximately $2,662 / €2,373).
0-2 Years Experience
81,291 TRY
2-5 Years Experience
131,115 TRY
5+ Years Experience
197,984 TRY
Category Director Salary Distribution by Year
| Year | Lowest Salary | Average Salary | Highest Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 105,666.00 TRY | 131,115.00 TRY | 178,985.00 TRY |
| 2025 | 59,172.96 TRY | 73,424.40 TRY | 100,231.60 TRY |
| 2024 | 24,303.18 TRY | 30,156.45 TRY | 41,166.55 TRY |
| 2023 | 13,736.58 TRY | 17,044.95 TRY | 23,268.05 TRY |
| 2022 | 9,509.94 TRY | 11,800.35 TRY | 16,108.65 TRY |
Average Category Director Salary Differences by City
Salaries for those working as a Category Director can vary significantly in a large and diverse country like Turkey due to different living conditions and economic factors in each city. While salaries are expected to be higher in major metropolitan areas due to the high cost of living, there may be additional payments or incentives in regions experiencing a shortage of personnel.
| City / Region | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| İstanbul | 153,404.55 TRY |
| Ankara | 146,848.80 TRY |
| İzmir | 138,981.90 TRY |
| Kocaeli, Sakarya, Düzce, Bolu, Yalova | 133,737.30 TRY |
| Edirne, Kırklareli, Tekirdağ | 129,803.85 TRY |
| Trabzon, Ordu, Giresun, Rize, Artvin | 115,381.20 TRY |
| Bursa, Eskişehir, Bilecik | 106,203.15 TRY |
| Aydın, Denizli, Muğla | 114,070.05 TRY |
| Adana, Mersin | 121,936.95 TRY |
| Balıkesir, Çanakkale | 110,136.60 TRY |
| Antalya, Isparta, Burdur | 107,514.30 TRY |
Category Director Salaries by Sector
This table shows the salary levels for those working as a Category Director by sector. The salary level varies depending on factors such as the size of the sector, its emphasis on technological advancements, and the company's revenue, sales, export figures, and number of employees. Analyses from the last 3 months show that salaries increase in direct proportion to the company's size and revenue.
| Sector Name | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Banking and Finance: Commercial Banking, Investment Banking | 145,537.65 TRY |
| Technology: Electronics, Software, Hardware, Communication, Fintech | 158,649.15 TRY |
| Energy: Oil, Gas, Renewable Energy | 136,359.60 TRY |
| Automotive: Vehicle Manufacturing, Automotive Parts | 127,181.55 TRY |
| Pharmaceuticals: Drug Manufacturing, Biotechnology | 110,136.60 TRY |
| Chemicals: Industrial Chemicals, Plastics, Rubber | 107,514.30 TRY |
| Defense and Aerospace: Military Equipment, Aircraft Manufacturing | 165,204.90 TRY |
| Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing: Industrial Machines, Automation | 125,870.40 TRY |
| Construction and Real Estate: Infrastructure, Housing | 115,381.20 TRY |
| Food and Beverage: Packaged Food, Drinks, Meat and Dairy | 106,203.15 TRY |
| Textile and Apparel: Ready-to-wear, Fabric Production | 107,514.30 TRY |
| Retail: Food Retail, Electronics, Clothing Stores | 111,447.75 TRY |
| Logistics and Transportation: Shipping Services, Warehousing | 111,447.75 TRY |
| Agriculture: Crop Production, Livestock | 116,692.35 TRY |
| Restaurant and Food Services: Catering, Fast Food Chains | 110,136.60 TRY |
Frequently Asked Questions about Category Director Salaries
What is the average salary for a Category Director in Turkey?
As of October 2026, the average salary for a Category Director is 131,115 TRY (approximately $2,662 / €2,373).
The salary ranges from a low of 105,666 TRY to a high of 178,985 TRY.
What factors affect a Category Director's salary?
The main factors affecting the salary of a Category Director are:
- Years of experience (0-2 years: 81,291 TRY, 5+ years: 197,984 TRY)
- The sector they work in (Technology sector: +21%, Agriculture sector: -19%)
- Company size
- Geographic location (Istanbul: +17%, Other Anatolian cities: -12%)
- Specific skills and certifications
How often are Category Director salaries updated?
Our salary data is updated on a weekly basis. The last update was on: October 4, 2026
In the last month, 642 people have contributed to our database by sharing their salary information.
Which sectors pay the highest salaries for a Category Director?
The top 3 highest-paying sectors for a Category Director are:
- Defense and Aerospace: 165,205 TRY (+26%)
- Technology Sector: 158,649 TRY (+21%)
- Banking and Finance: 145,538 TRY (+11%)
How do Category Director salaries change by city?
Average salary differences by city are:
- Istanbul: 153,405 TRY (+17%)
- Ankara: 146,849 TRY (+12%)
- Izmir: 138,982 TRY (+6%)
- Other cities: 111,448 TRY (-15%)