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As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Contracts Administrator in California is $69,844 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $34.
However, a Contracts Administrator's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Contracts Administrator Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $76,216 | $6,351 | $1,466 | $37 |
| Average | $69,844 | $5,820 | $1,343 | $34 |
| 25th Percentile | $63,293 | $5,274 | $1,217 | $30 |
Northrop Grumman - San Diego, CA
Robert Half - Irvine, CA
Empirical Systems Aerospace, Inc. - San Luis Obispo, CA
UFW Foundation - Oxnard, CA
A Contracts Administrator'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 Contracts Administrator'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 |
|---|---|
| Contracts... Level Contracts Administrator | $69,376 |
| Contracts... Level Contracts Administrator | $81,471 |
| Contracts... Level Contracts Administrator | $107,029 |
| Contracts... Level Contracts Administrator | $124,434 |
| Contracts... Level Contracts Administrator | $152,520 |
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 Contracts Administrators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Contracts Administrator 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 as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Services | $87,305 | $42.0 | 25% |
| Telecom | $83,813 | $40.0 | 20% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $82,416 | $40.0 | 18% |
| Energy & Utilities | $80,321 | $39.0 | 15% |
| Internet | $78,226 | $38.0 | 12% |
Understanding how a Contracts Administrator'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $76,216 | $6,351 | $1,466 | $37 |
| Average | $69,844 | $5,820 | $1,343 | $34 |
| 25th Percentile | $63,293 | $5,274 | $1,217 | $30 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Contracts Administrator job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Empirical Systems Aerospace Inc
San Luis Obispo, CA
Empirical Systems Aerospace Inc | San Luis Obispo, CA
Contracts AdministratorThe Contracts Administrator will create and review industry contract agreements. The duties will include negotiating terms and condi... more
7 Days Ago
804 Technology
Irvine, CA
804 Technology | Irvine, CA
$95000/year 1st Shift Permanent Placement Position Summary/Essential Functions:Administers assigned contracts of moderate scope and complexity to ensure fu... more
7 Days Ago
Karman Space and Defense- Huntington Beach
Huntington Beach, CA
Karman Space and Defense- Huntington Beach | Huntington Beach, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Karman Space & Defense is a leader in the rapid design, development, and production of critical, next-generation system s... more
7 Days Ago
Tactical Engineering & Analysis
San Diego, CA
Tactical Engineering & Analysis | San Diego, CA
Job Description. Job Description. The Contracts Administrator is responsible for assisting in the management of various contracts. They will play a support... more
7 Days Ago
Pavement Recycling Systems Inc
Jurupa Valley, CA
Pavement Recycling Systems Inc | Jurupa Valley, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Company Overview. JOIN THE WEST COAST’S PREMIER SUSTAINABILITY-DRIVEN INFRASTRUCTURE COMPANY. OWN YOUR FUTURE AT PRS. Fou... more
7 Days Ago
ClearanceJobs
Redondo Beach, CA
ClearanceJobs | Redondo Beach, CA
Contracts Administrator - Level 2At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's liv... more
7 Days Ago
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