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What is a senior contract administrator/contract administrator and how to become one
Senior Contract Administrators/Contract Administrators handle the contract purchasing process from initial negotiations to the reception of the goods or services. They work in various types of organizations to ensure that employees have the equipment and supplies they need to be productive. Their duties may include buying, storing, and distributing supplies and offloading unused supplies. Contract administrators must also set goals for their department, develop and meet a budget, and may have to recommend changes in policies to improve efficiency.
Most employers require that contract administration professionals have a bachelor's degree, at minimum. Programs in the acquisition, finance, or business administration can prepare you for a career in contracts. Bachelor's degree programs offer courses in accounting, finance, economics, and management. To earn a master's degree, you take courses in managerial accounting, procurement, and contracting law.
The BLS reports that administrative services managers, including those employed in contract administration, earn an average of $106,050 per year. However, those in senior roles earn even more.
Avg. Salary $65,579
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate -6%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.78%
Asian 7.65%
Black or African American 8.83%
Hispanic or Latino 12.18%
Unknown 4.39%
White 66.18%
Genderfemale 50.44%
male 49.56%
Age - 49American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 49Stress level is high
7.1 - high
Complexity level is advanced
7 - challenging
Work life balance is poor
6.4 - fair
Senior contract administrator/contract administrator career paths
Key steps to become a senior contract administrator/contract administrator
Explore senior contract administrator/contract administrator education requirements
Start to develop specific senior contract administrator/contract administrator skills
Skills Percentages Contract Administration 9.96% Proposal Preparation 7.10% Contract Management 5.68% Contract Terms 4.70% Non-Disclosure Agreements 3.96% Complete relevant senior contract administrator/contract administrator training and internships
Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New senior contract administrators/contract administrators learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a senior contract administrator/contract administrator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real senior contract administrator/contract administrator resumes.Research senior contract administrator/contract administrator duties and responsibilities
- Manage end to end distribute and mainframe testing activities in a java, PowerBuilder and XML environment for various projects.
- Manage contract performance, perform RFP reviews and coordinate proposal development with various program managers.
- Process purchase orders and subcontracts, including managing insurance requirement compliance and certify payroll documentation.
- Issue and administer delivery orders under negotiate IDIQ and also for standalone subcontract agreements.
Get senior contract administrator/contract administrator experience
Generally, it takes 4-6 years to become a senior contract administrator/contract administrator. The most common roles before becoming a senior contract administrator/contract administrator include contracts administrator, contracts manager team lead and contracts specialist.Prepare your senior contract administrator/contract administrator resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your senior contract administrator/contract administrator resume.
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Apply for senior contract administrator/contract administrator jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a senior contract administrator/contract administrator job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
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Average senior contract administrator/contract administrator salary
The average senior contract administrator/contract administrator salary in the United States is $65,579 per year or $32 per hour. Senior contract administrator/contract administrator salaries range between $41,000 and $102,000 per year.
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Updated January 8, 2025
