Administrative Assistant/Contract Administrator Salary in the United States

How much does an Administrative Assistant/Contract Administrator make in the United States?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for an Administrative Assistant/Contract Administrator in the United States is $61,072 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.

However, an Administrative Assistant/Contract Administrator's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $76,057
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $55,618 to $68,916
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $50,652
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View as table View as graph 25% $55,618 10% $50,652 90% $76,057 75% $68,916 $61,072 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Administrative Assistant/Contract Administrator Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $68,916 $5,743 $1,325 $33
Average $61,072 $5,089 $1,174 $29
25th Percentile $55,618 $4,635 $1,070 $27
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Key Factors That Influence Administrative Assistant/Contract Administrator Salaries

An Administrative Assistant/Contract 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Administrative Assistant/Contract Administrator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Administrative Assistant/Contract 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $59,438
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $96,529
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $118,377
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $135,245
  • Expert (over 8 years): $181,067
Levels Salary
Administr... Level Administrative Assistant/Contract Administrator$59,438
Contracts... Level Administrative Assistant/Contract Administrator$96,529
Contracts... Level Administrative Assistant/Contract Administrator$118,377
Contracts... Level Administrative Assistant/Contract Administrator$135,245
Contracts... Level Administrative Assistant/Contract Administrator$181,067
$59,438 0 yr
$96,529 < 2 yrs
$118,377 2-4 yrs
$135,245 5-8 yrs
$181,067 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Administrative Assistant/Contract Administrator 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 Administrative Assistant/Contract Administrators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $67,619.
  • California: $67,362.
  • Massachusetts: $66,464.

Top Paying Cities for Administrative Assistant/Contract Administrators

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: $77,030
  • San Francisco: $76,186
  • Oakland: $74,581

What Skills Can Increase an Administrative Assistant/Contract Administrator's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 8.77% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 2.27% Job Postings): Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
  • Contract Review (Mentioned in 1.3% Job Postings): Evaluating, interpreting, and improving the terms used in contractual agreements.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 8.77%
Microsoft Office 2.27%
Contract Review 1.3%
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 an Administrative Assistant/Contract Administrator's salary.
  • Program Management: Can increase your salary by up to 22%.
  • Negotiating: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Program Management
 $74,507
22%
Negotiating
 $70,843
16%
Leadership
 $70,232
15%
Business Administration
 $67,790
11%
Insight
 $67,179
10%
Contract Management
 $67,179
10%
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Administrative Assistant/Contract Administrator Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Administrative Assistant/Contract Administrator roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 90% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and MFG Durable sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 45% above the average. In contrast, Administrative Assistant/Contract Administrator positions in Telecom or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Administrative Assistant/Contract Administrator as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Administrative Assistant/Contract Administrator

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$88,554$43.045%
MFG Durable$85,500$41.040%
Pharmaceuticals$82,447$40.035%
Internet$79,393$38.030%
Hospitality & Leisure$76,340$37.025%

How Education impacts an Administrative Assistant/Contract Administrator's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Administrative Assistant/Contract Administrators enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate 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 Administrative Assistant/Contract Administrator with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $56,624 and $61,011).

Administrative Assistant/Contract Administrator Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Administrative Assistant/Contract Administrator
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 25.8%
High School 25.8%
Associates 19.6%
Bachelors 47.4%
Masters 4.1%
Doctorate 3.1%
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Administrative Assistant/Contract Administrator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Administrative Assistant/Contract 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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on July 01, 2026
$55,618
Average $61,072/year
$68,916
$4,635
Average $5,089/month
$5,743
$1,070
Average $1,174/week
$1,325
$27
Average $29/hour
$33
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $68,916 $5,743 $1,325 $33
Average $61,072 $5,089 $1,174 $29
25th Percentile $55,618 $4,635 $1,070 $27

Salaries of jobs related to Administrative Assistant/Contract Administrator

Salary Trends for Administrative Assistant/Contract Administrator

Salaries for an Administrative Assistant/Contract Administrator can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $54,146 in 2023 to around $53,210 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Administrative Assistant/Contract Administrator salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Administrative Assistant/Contract Administrator Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$54,146
2024
$53,842
2025
$53,210
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $54,146
2024 $53,842
2025 $53,210
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Administrative Assistant/Contract Administrator

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Administrative Assistant/Contract Administrator

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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.)

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