As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Vendor Relations Specialist V in the United States is $167,100 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $80.
However, a Vendor Relations Specialist V's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Vendor Relations Specialist 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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Vendor Relations Specialist 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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor Relations Specialist III | 4-7 years | $99,921 |
| Vendor Relations Specialist IV | 7+ years | $122,845 |
| Vendor Relations Specialist V | 7-10 years | $167,100 |
| Vendor Relations Manager | 10+ years | $127,069 |
| Vendor Relations Senior Manager | 10+ years | $171,719 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Vendor Relations Specialist Vs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Vendor Relations Specialist V salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $186,900. While startup companies pay approximate $158,062.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $158,062 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $167,175 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $180,488 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $186,900 |
For Vendor Relations Specialist V roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 74% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Vendor Relations Specialist positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Vendor Relations Specialist V as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | $233,940 | $112.0 | 40% |
| Internet | $208,875 | $100.0 | 25% |
| Financial Services | $207,204 | $100.0 | 24% |
| Energy & Utilities | $200,520 | $96.0 | 20% |
| Biotechnology | $197,178 | $95.0 | 18% |
Understanding how a Vendor Relations Specialist 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 July 01, 2026For a Vendor Relations Specialist V, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Vendor Relations Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $127,069 - a projected growth of -24% over your current level.
Salaries for a Vendor Relations Specialist V can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $140,008 in 2023 to around $126,369 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Vendor Relations Specialist V salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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| 2023 | $140,008 |
| 2024 | $130,455 |
| 2025 | $126,369 |
| 2026 |
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| 2027 |
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A Vendor Relations Specialist 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 Vendor Relations Specialist V earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Vendor Relations Specialist V is $210,763.
The highest pay for Vendor Relations Specialist V is $184,917.
The lowest pay for Vendor Relations Specialist V is $162,874.
Acts as the point of contact with vendors and suppliers, providing information and support to resolve issues and facilitate collaborative relationships. Follows established vendor management processes and frameworks to onboard, nurture, and support vendor relationships, control costs, manage risks and maximize service efficiency. Coordinates with vendors and internal stakeholders to identify, address, and resolve problems or operational inefficiencies. Provides reports and analysis of performance metrics used to conduct regular review processes and drive continuous improvement in vendor relationships. Typically requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. 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.
The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Vendor Relations Specialist V roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
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