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Contracts Administrator V Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Contracts Administrator V in the United States is $141,363 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $68.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $154,453
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $136,740 to $148,215
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $132,531

Key Factors That Influence Contracts Administrator V Salaries

A Contracts Administrator V'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Contracts Administrator V Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Contracts Administrator V'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 III (4-7 years): $99,190
  • Contracts Administrator IV (7+ years): $115,333
  • Contracts Administrator V (7-10 years): $141,363
  • Contracts Administration Supervisor (10+ years): $94,998
  • Contracts Administration Senior Supervisor (10+ years): $116,487
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Contracts Administrator III4-7 years$99,190
Contracts Administrator IV7+ years$115,333
Contracts Administrator V7-10 years$141,363
Contracts Administration Supervisor10+ years$94,998
Contracts Administration Senior Supervisor10+ years$116,487

Top Paying Cities for Contracts Administrator V

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: $178,301
  • San Francisco: $176,349
  • Oakland: $172,632

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 3.95% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Billing (Mentioned in 2.6% Job Postings): Billing refers to the aspect of banking, whereby someone is charged accurately for what item they purchased.
  • Contract Negotiation (Mentioned in 1.81% Job Postings): Creating an agreement to legally binding terms to obtain favorable results.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 3.95%
Billing 2.6%
Contract Negotiation 1.81%

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 V's salary.

  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 18%.
  • Contract Compliance: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • Government Contracting: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Commitment $166,808
18%
Contract Compliance $163,981
16%
Government Contracting $163,981
16%

Contracts Administrator V Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Contracts Administrator V salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $158,248. While startup companies pay approximate $133,874.

Contracts Administrator V Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $133,874
Growth Stage 51~500 $141,587
Established 501~5000 $152,816
Enterprise 5000+ $158,248

Contracts Administrator V Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Contracts Administrator V roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Contracts Administrator positions in Biotechnology or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Contracts Administrator V as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Contracts Administrator V

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$169,636$82.020%

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

Understanding how a Contracts Administrator V'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
$136,740
Average $141,363/year
$148,215
$11,395
Average $11,780/month
$12,351
$2,630
Average $2,719/week
$2,850
$66
Average $68/hour
$71
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $148,215 $12,351 $2,850 $71
Average $141,363 $11,780 $2,719 $68
25th Percentile $136,740 $11,395 $2,630 $66

Contracts Administrator V Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Contracts Administrator V, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Contracts Administration Supervisor role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $94,998 - a projected growth of -33% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Contracts Administrator V

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

Common company salaries for Contracts Administrator V

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

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FAQ about Contracts Administrator V

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

A Contracts Administrator V'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 V earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Contracts Administrator V is $178,301.

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

The highest pay for Contracts Administrator V is $154,453.

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

The lowest pay for Contracts Administrator V is $132,531.

4. What are the responsibilities of Contracts Administrator V?

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. Works autonomously. Goals are generally communicated in "solution" or project goal terms. May provide a leadership role for the work group through knowledge in the area of specialization. Works on advanced, complex technical projects or business issues requiring state of the art technical or industry knowledge. Typically requires 10+ years of related experience.

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

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Contracts Administrator V roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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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