Contract worker vs subcontract administrator

The differences between contract workers and subcontract administrators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a contract worker and a subcontract administrator. Additionally, a contract worker has an average salary of $70,825, which is higher than the $65,686 average annual salary of a subcontract administrator.

The top three skills for a contract worker include financial statements, SQL and payroll. The most important skills for a subcontract administrator are price analysis, purchase orders, and program management.

Contract worker vs subcontract administrator overview

	Contract Worker	Subcontract Administrator
Yearly salary	$70,825	$65,686
Hourly rate	$34.05	$31.58
Growth rate	-8%	-6%
Number of jobs	36,853	51,285
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 47%	Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	6	6

What does a contract worker do?

A contract worker is an independent contractor who only works at companies for a limited amount of time, according to agreed-upon contract terms. When it comes to employment, a contract worker may find opportunities in different industries, depending upon their set of skills and abilities. Although the extent of their responsibilities depends on their company or industry of employment, it typically includes performing basic tasks, maintaining an active communication line with co-workers, and adhering to company policies and regulations.

What does a subcontract administrator do?

As a subcontract administrator, you will be responsible for identifying the needs of a company and implement measures and initiatives to fulfill those needs. This role will require you to perform a few tasks, including responding to purchase requisitions, soliciting bids and proposals from new and existing sources, and evaluating terms and awarding the subcontract. You are then expected to monitor the subcontract terms, including plans, progress, and payments. You will also be responsible for negotiating additions, modifications, and deletions of subcontracts.

Contract worker vs subcontract administrator salary

Contract workers and subcontract administrators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Contract Worker	Subcontract Administrator
Average salary	$70,825	$65,686
Salary range	Between $52,000 And $95,000	Between $42,000 And $102,000
Highest paying City	-	Washington, DC
Highest paying state	-	California
Best paying company	-	Urban Institute
Best paying industry	-	Technology

Differences between contract worker and subcontract administrator education

There are a few differences between a contract worker and a subcontract administrator in terms of educational background:

	Contract Worker	Subcontract Administrator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 47%	Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Contract worker vs subcontract administrator demographics

Here are the differences between contract workers' and subcontract administrators' demographics:

	Contract Worker	Subcontract Administrator
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 59.2% Female, 40.8%	Male, 51.7% Female, 48.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.5% Asian, 7.4% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.3% Asian, 7.8% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between contract worker and subcontract administrator duties and responsibilities

Contract worker example responsibilities.

Assist management in facilitating start-up QSR accounts while effectively managing GPO accounts.
Procure common hardware, plumbing and MRO materials.
Network within the community to find potential members that are recipients of Medicare/ Medicaid benefits.
Work on multiple accounts providing payroll advice and walking through setup and process of running payroll online.
Supervise a staff of ten HVAC installers and technicians, providing ongoing field training and troubleshooting support.
Follow QA prints to determine the location and layout of various size brackets for various size SCBA bottles.

Subcontract administrator example responsibilities.

Coordinate requirements and interface with other division personnel to accomplish timely and cost effective procurement of assign commodities.
Create moderate to complex RFP solicitations and provide additional proposal support including pricing reviews and source selection support.
Administer IDIQ contracts with multiple task orders.
Assist with FFP hardware subcontract in support of NSA contracts.
Negotiate and coordinate additions, deletions, or modifications of DOD subcontracts.
Review and advice on matters of ITAR, FCPA, other Import/Export matters.

Contract worker vs subcontract administrator skills

Common contract worker skills

Financial Statements, 17%
SQL, 15%
Payroll, 10%
Computer System, 10%
Assembly Line, 8%
PowerPoint, 7%

Common subcontract administrator skills

Price Analysis, 11%
Purchase Orders, 8%
Program Management, 5%
Bid Packages, 5%
Non-Disclosure Agreements, 5%
DOD, 4%

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Contract Worker vs Subcontract Administrator

Updated January 8, 2025

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