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Contracts Administrator I Salary in the United States

How much does a Contracts Administrator I make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Contracts Administrator I in the United States is $64,302 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $31.

However, a Contracts Administrator I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $75,419
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $58,107 to $70,121
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $52,467
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Contracts Administrator I Salaries

A Contracts Administrator I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Contracts Administrator I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Contracts Administrator I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Contracts Administrator I (0-2 years): $64,302
  • Contracts Administrator II (2-4 years): $75,509
  • Contracts Administrator III (4-7 years): $99,190
  • Contracts Administrator IV (7+ years): $115,333
  • Contracts Administrator V (7-10 years): $141,363
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Contracts Administrator I0-2 years$64,302
Contracts Administrator II2-4 years$75,509
Contracts Administrator III4-7 years$99,190
Contracts Administrator IV7+ years$115,333
Contracts Administrator V7-10 years$141,363
View as Graph

How Do Contracts Administrator Is Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Contracts Administrator Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $71,195.
  • California: $70,925.
  • Massachusetts: $69,980.

Top Paying Cities for Contracts Administrator I

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $81,104
  • San Francisco: $80,216
  • Oakland: $78,526

What Skills Can Increase a Contracts Administrator I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 5.25% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • RFP (Mentioned in 2.59% Job Postings): A request for proposal (RFP) is a business document that announces a project, describes it, and solicits bids from qualified contractors to complete it.
  • Federal Acquisition Regulations (Mentioned in 1.87% Job Postings): The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) is the primary regulation for use by all executive agencies in their acquisition of supplies and services with appropriated funds.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 5.25%
RFP 2.59%
Federal Acquisition Regulations 1.87%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Contracts Administrator I's salary.

  • Business Development: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Government Contracting: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Program Management: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Business Development $68,803
7%
Government Contracting $68,160
6%
Program Management $68,160
6%
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Contracts Administrator I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Contracts Administrator I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $71,982. While startup companies pay approximate $60,895.

Contracts Administrator I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $60,895
Growth Stage 51~500 $64,404
Established 501~5000 $69,512
Enterprise 5000+ $71,982

Contracts Administrator I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Contracts Administrator I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 70% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Telecom sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Contracts Administrator positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Contracts Administrator I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Contracts Administrator I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$80,378$39.025%
Telecom$77,162$37.020%
Pharmaceuticals$75,876$36.018%
Energy & Utilities$73,947$36.015%
Internet$72,018$35.012%

How Education impacts an Contracts Administrator I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Contracts Administrator I enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Contracts Administrator I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $64,571 and $69,131.

Contracts Administrator I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Contracts Administrator I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.6%
High School 10.7%
Associates 13.2%
Bachelors 54.8%
Masters 11.2%
Doctorate 9.5%
View as Graph

Contracts Administrator I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Contracts Administrator I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$58,107
Average $64,302/year
$70,121
$4,842
Average $5,359/month
$5,843
$1,117
Average $1,237/week
$1,348
$28
Average $31/hour
$34
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $70,121 $5,843 $1,348 $34
Average $64,302 $5,359 $1,237 $31
25th Percentile $58,107 $4,842 $1,117 $28

Contracts Administrator I Salary Growth & Career Path

Contracts Administrator I

Next Role

Advancement

For a Contracts Administrator I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Contracts Administrator II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $75,509 - a projected growth of 17% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Contracts Administrator I

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Contracts Administrator I

Here are companies hiring for Contracts Administrator I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Contracts Administrator I

1. Where can a Contracts Administrator I earn the most?

A Contracts Administrator I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Contracts Administrator I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Contracts Administrator I is $81,104.

2. What is the highest pay for Contracts Administrator I?

The highest pay for Contracts Administrator I is $75,419.

3. What is the lowest pay for Contracts Administrator I?

The lowest pay for Contracts Administrator I is $52,467.

4. What are the responsibilities of Contracts Administrator I?

Develops, prepares, and administers contracts, bids, and proposals that meet specifications and comply with all policies and regulations. Supports or participates in contract negotiations with suppliers, partners, or customers. Reviews contract terms to identify any potential risk or compliance issues. Examines supporting materials and agreement documents related to bids or contracts and provides guidance. Acts as liaison between the organization and subcontractors to implement the contracts. Maintains contract records used to ensure compliance with reporting and regulatory requirements. Typically requires a bachelor's degree or equivalent. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Contracts Administrator I?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Contracts Administrator I roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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