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Job outlook for contracts administrators in the United States
Contracts administrator job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected contracts administrator job growth rate is -6% from 2018-2028.
About -29,500 new jobs for contracts administrators are projected over the next decade.
Contracts administrator salaries have increased 9% for contracts administrators in the last 5 years.
There are over 50,880 contracts administrators currently employed in the United States.
There are 58,038 active contracts administrator job openings in the US.
The average contracts administrator salary is $52,876.
Are contracts administrator jobs in demand?
Contracts administrator job and salary trends over time
Contracts administrator jobs over time
Contracts administrator job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 50,880 | 0.02% |
| 2020 | 47,936 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 48,227 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 48,407 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 48,818 | 0.01% |
Average contracts administrator salary over time
Contracts administrator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $52,876 | $25.42 | +4.0% |
| 2024 | $50,863 | $24.45 | +2.4% |
| 2023 | $49,671 | $23.88 | +1.1% |
| 2022 | $49,131 | $23.62 | +1.7% |
| 2021 | $48,295 | $23.22 | +1.7% |
Contracts administrator jobs by state
Most common states for contracts administrators
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 169 | 24% |
| 2 | Alaska | 739,795 | 127 | 17% |
| 3 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 885 | 16% |
| 4 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,006 | 15% |
| 5 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 104 | 14% |
| 6 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 176 | 13% |
| 7 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 371 | 12% |
| 8 | Vermont | 623,657 | 73 | 12% |
| 9 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 593 | 11% |
| 10 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 446 | 11% |
| 11 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 114 | 11% |
| 12 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 63 | 11% |
| 13 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 773 | 10% |
| 14 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 726 | 10% |
| 15 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 217 | 10% |
| 16 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 186 | 10% |
| 17 | Delaware | 961,939 | 96 | 10% |
| 18 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,117 | 9% |
| 19 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 441 | 9% |
| 20 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 159 | 9% |
Most common cities for contracts administrators
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charlottesville | 7 | 15% | $58,986 |
| 2 | Rockville | 9 | 13% | $64,097 |
| 3 | Bethesda | 7 | 12% | $64,172 |
| 4 | Sugar Land | 6 | 7% | $52,261 |
| 5 | Huntsville | 12 | 6% | $51,342 |
| 6 | Atlanta | 12 | 3% | $43,311 |
| 7 | San Francisco | 16 | 2% | $66,379 |
| 8 | Washington | 11 | 2% | $67,046 |
| 9 | Tampa | 8 | 2% | $47,533 |
| 10 | San Diego | 12 | 1% | $60,839 |
| 11 | Phoenix | 9 | 1% | $58,356 |
| 12 | Dallas | 8 | 1% | $50,201 |
| 13 | Baltimore | 7 | 1% | $64,133 |
| 14 | Las Vegas | 6 | 1% | $57,474 |
| 15 | Boston | 5 | 1% | $44,800 |
| 16 | New York | 12 | 0% | $50,872 |
| 17 | Chicago | 11 | 0% | $50,108 |
| 18 | Houston | 9 | 0% | $52,150 |
Contracts Administrator job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of contracts administrator experts
University of Nebraska - Omaha
Ohio University
University of Illinois at Chicago
Virginia Commonwealth University
What general advice would you give to a Contracts Administrator?
Janice Garnett Ed.D.: Negotiate based on research, develop a career development plan, focus on enhancing performance, professional growth, and continuous learning.
What skills stand out on Contracts Administrator resumes?
Greg Kessler Ph.D.: I am not sure that there are any particular skills that stand out on resumes, but familiarity with instructional design principles should be considered to be very valuable. I also think that knowledge of multimedia principles, social media, and various forms of virtual and immersive experiences. Also, knowledge of AI and the other things I referred to in the trends above.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Contracts Administrators?
James R. Thompson Ph.D.: The coronavirus pandemic has made apparent the vital role the government plays in addressing society's larger problems. It will attract new people to the field of public administration and strengthen the commitment of those already in the field to their careers.
How would you rate the starting salaries for Contracts Administrators, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Dr. Richard Huff Ph.D.: While MPA students are not drawn to public service by high salaries, it is reasonable to expect remuneration, which respects their credentials and experience. Many students are mid-level careerists and are likely to remain in their jobs where an advanced degree may improve their opportunities for advancement, and others may be looking for a career change. Also, a cohort of students moving from undergraduate to graduate degrees with internships is common.
These groups likely present varying degrees of salary requirements and qualifications. In the federal service, an MPA qualifies as one at the GS-9 entry-level. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) publishes salary tables at Link The beginning salary varies by location from $53K to $61K, with the higher amount near large metropolitan areas. Higher salaries are common in overseas areas. Progression is based on performance with opportunities to achieve salaries of $150K and over at the executive levels. Overall, beginning salaries for the MPA considering nonprofits and government agencies is estimated at $53K.