A method for manufacturing a catalyst layer that has good long-term water resistance and a method for manufacturing a membrane electrode assembly. The method for manufacturing a catalyst layer includes the processes of: (1) attaching an Si compound comprising Si, —OH bound to the Si or a group that is bound to the Si and becomes —OH upon hydrolysis, and a hydrophobic group to a surface of a catalyst precursor layer comprising at least platinum oxide; (2) attaching a mixture comprising a metal compound having a metal atom and —OH bound to the metal atom or a group that is bound to the metal atom and becomes —OH upon hydrolysis and a proton conductive polymer electrolyte to the surface of the catalyst precursor layer to which the Si compound has been attached; and (3) reducing the catalyst precursor layer to which the mixture has been attached.