As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Contract Manager in the United States is $134,497 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $65.
However, a Contract Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Contract Manager'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Contract Manager'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Contract Manager | $128,332 |
| Intermediate Level Contract Manager | $128,957 |
| Senior Level Contract Manager | $131,042 |
| Specialist Level Contract Manager | $133,544 |
| Expert Level Contract Manager | $136,785 |
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 Contract Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Negotiating | 5.58% |
| Business Development | 2.26% |
| Government Contracting | 1.47% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Workflow Management
|
$143,912 |
7%
|
|
Clinical Trial
|
$138,532 |
3%
|
|
Proposal Development
|
$138,532 |
3%
|
|
Process Improvement
|
$137,187 |
2%
|
|
Leadership
|
$137,187 |
2%
|
|
Government Contracting
|
$137,187 |
2%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Contract Managers enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Contract Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $131,499 and $141,538).
Contract Manager Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.2% |
| High School | 8.0% |
| Associates | 5.9% |
| Bachelors | 38.3% |
| Masters | 26.8% |
| Doctorate | 20.8% |
Understanding how a Contract Manager'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 January 01, 2026Salaries for a Contract Manager can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $122,691 in 2023 to around $120,503 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Contract Manager salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $122,691 |
| 2024 | $122,760 |
| 2025 | $120,503 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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|
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Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
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