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How to hire a contract negotiator

Contract negotiator hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring contract negotiators in the United States:

  • There are a total of 4,725 contract negotiators in the US, and there are currently 10,831 job openings in this field.
  • The median cost to hire a contract negotiator is $1,633.
  • Small businesses spend $1,105 per contract negotiator on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • It takes approximately 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • HR departments typically allocate 15% of their budget towards recruitment efforts.
  • Chicago, IL, has the highest demand for contract negotiators, with 6 job openings.

How to hire a contract negotiator, step by step

To hire a contract negotiator, you need to identify the specific skills and experience you want in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and advertise the job opening to attract potential candidates. To hire a contract negotiator, you should follow these steps:

Here's a step-by-step contract negotiator hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a contract negotiator job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new contract negotiator
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a contract negotiator do?

A contract negotiator is responsible for evaluating contract agreements and documents, negotiating terms with clients and customers, and resolving contract disputes. Contract negotiators manage parties' business deals and ensure that the conditions adhere to the company guidelines and state regulations. They also explain and discuss the contract to the representatives thoroughly and address any concerns and inquiries the parties may have. A contract negotiator must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in finalizing terms and revising statements as needed.

Learn more about the specifics of what a contract negotiator does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    The contract negotiator hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    Hiring the perfect contract negotiator also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

    The following list breaks down different types of contract negotiators and their corresponding salaries.

    Type of Contract NegotiatorDescriptionHourly rate
    Contract Negotiator$18-41
    Business DeveloperA business developer specializes in conducting in-depth business analysis and crafting various strategies that would not just help a business grow, but also strengthen client base and brand awareness. One of their primary responsibilities revolves around identifying areas in need of improvement... Show more$31-75
    Business Development InternshipA business development intern is responsible for supporting the organization's goals and objectives in providing the best services to clients and ensuring a smooth flow of operations with maximum productivity and efficiency. Business development interns observe the operational processes of the department and perform duties under the supervision of a direct manager or tenured staff... Show more$12-20
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Contract Administration
    • Contract Performance
    • Contract Terms
    • Proposal Preparation
    • Program Management
    • Contract Compliance
    • Negotiation Strategies
    • Contract Negotiations
    • Medicare
    • Network Development
    • Medicaid
    • DOD
    • Contractual Obligations
    • RFP
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Manage expectations of DCMA / DCAA regulators and when necessary defend evaluated/negotiated positions.
    • Provide cost/benefit analysis, RFP response analysis, contract negotiation, and project management support.
    • Prepare proposals per domestic and international customer RFP specifications with input from program managers, accountants, and engineers.
    • Implement SharePoint contract repository with custom records retention policy.
    • Track the full acquisition documentation process utilizing a DHA agency-wide SharePoint portal.
    • Represent company in arbitration settlement negotiations that result in an agreement to obtain governmental approval for the sale of the business.
    More contract negotiator duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your contract negotiator job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A contract negotiator salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, contract negotiators' average salary in vermont is 55% less than in district of columbia.
    • Seniority. Entry-level contract negotiators earn 55% less than senior-level contract negotiators.
    • Certifications. A contract negotiator with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a contract negotiator's salary.

    Average contract negotiator salary

    $59,212yearly

    $28.47 hourly rate

    Entry-level contract negotiator salary
    $39,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 20, 2025

    Average contract negotiator salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1District of Columbia$78,067$38
    2New York$74,053$36
    3Delaware$66,579$32
    4California$66,379$32
    5Louisiana$66,131$32
    6Ohio$65,541$32
    7Texas$63,584$31
    8Virginia$61,255$29
    9North Carolina$61,125$29
    10Illinois$60,544$29
    11Hawaii$60,139$29
    12Indiana$57,996$28
    13Wisconsin$55,611$27
    14Massachusetts$55,391$27
    15Colorado$53,993$26
    16Florida$53,963$26
    17Georgia$53,637$26
    18Minnesota$53,054$26
    19Arizona$52,958$25
    20Alabama$52,213$25

    Average contract negotiator salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Cisco$106,546$51.22
    2Kronos Incorporated$106,307$51.11
    3Roku$97,595$46.92
    4U.S. Bank$94,000$45.19
    5Salesforce$93,850$45.122
    6Amazon$91,288$43.8911
    7Fujitsu$90,742$43.63
    8Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield$89,327$42.95
    9Oracle$89,103$42.848
    10BlackRock$87,926$42.27
    11BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina$87,664$42.15
    12Bentley Systems$85,076$40.90
    13Centene$82,748$39.787
    14Lockheed Martin$82,713$39.7724
    15L3Harris$81,239$39.066
    16CPN$78,529$37.75
    17Coalfire Systems Inc.$77,060$37.05
    18Cision$76,941$36.99
    19Nuance Communications$71,296$34.28
    20Florida Blue$70,875$34.07
  4. Writing a contract negotiator job description

    A contract negotiator job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a contract negotiator job description:

    Contract negotiator job description example

    Job Description Job description

    You could be the one who changes everything for our 26 million members. Centene is transforming the health of our communities, one person at a time. As a diversified, national organization, you ll have access to competitive benefits including a fresh perspective on workplace flexibility.

    Position Purpose: Identify, negotiate and manage high performing provider and vendor partnerships." Negotiate vendor or provider contracts and manage implementations and ongoing relationships.
    " Perform market research and analysis as directed.
    " Define, initiate, and direct financial analyses and operational reporting for the assigned vendor and provider agreements.
    " Lead, manage, and track ongoing financial and operational success of designated partnership.
    " Develop and initiate corrective action plans or agreement modifications where necessary, coordinating with local health plans and other applicable internal teams.
    " Initiate and lead meetings with health plans and corporate teams, including executive management, to review vendor and provider agreement performance data and scorecards, and partnership strategy.

    Education/Experience: Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Finance or related field or equivalent experience. 6+ years of vendor and/or provider contract negotiations, contract analysis and/or modeling experience in health care or similar industry. Experience negotiating contracts with successful outcomes and measurable financial results. Experience with presenting and communicating negotiation strategies and results at senior levels. Experience with health care provider negotiations for Government programs preferred.

    Our Comprehensive Benefits Package: Flexible work solutions including remote options, hybrid work schedules and dress flexibility, Competitive pay, Paid time off including holidays, Health insurance coverage for you and your dependents, 401(k) and stock purchase plans, Tuition reimbursement and best-in-class training and development.

    Centene is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, and values the ways in which we are different. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other characteristic protected by applicable law.

    Mandatory Recruiter Notes

    All agencies must provide the details below within their recruiter notes in order to submit a candidate:
    Availability date to start a new role:
    Current location of the candidate:
    Desired salary:
    Will the candidate require visa sponsorship now or in the future:

    Due to the recent Pay Equity regulations mandate you are prohibited to share a candidate's current or prior salary details in states the mandate is in effect.

    Due to the Centene s announced intention to acquire WellCare, we will no longer be accepting referrals of candidates from WellCare or any of their subsidiaries.

  5. Post your job

    There are a few common ways to find contract negotiators for your business:

    • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your contract negotiator job on Zippia to find and recruit contract negotiator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Your first interview with contract negotiator candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new contract negotiator

    Once you've decided on a perfect contract negotiator candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

    It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
    Sign up to download full list

How much does it cost to hire a contract negotiator?

Before you start to hire contract negotiators, it pays to consider both the one-off costs like recruitment, job promotion, and onboarding, as well as the ongoing costs of an employee's salary and benefits. While most companies that hire contract negotiators pay close attention to the initial cost of hiring, ongoing costs are much more significant in the long run.

You can expect to pay around $59,212 per year for a contract negotiator, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for contract negotiators in the US typically range between $18 and $41 an hour.

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