Contracts Manager Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$137,000
national median salary
$100,000 to $179,000. Last updated August 2026.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $141,900 for Managers, All Other (SOC 11-9199) across the United States, based on 622,190 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$74,300
25th percentile
$102,880
Median
$141,900
75th percentile
$186,300
90th percentile
$238,270
Workers surveyed
622,190
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$136,550
May 2025 release
$141,900
These are two separate published estimates, not a time series. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not encourage the use of OEWS data for time-series analysis. Differences between releases reflect changes in occupational classification, survey methodology, and the three-year pooled sample as well as any change in pay, so the two figures should not be read as a rate of wage growth.
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Managers, All Other (SOC 11-9199) rather than Contracts Managerspecifically. The national range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 11-9199Highest Paying
$197,000
San Jose, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$143,000
San Jose, CA
Lowest Paying
$104,000
Charleston, WV
The salary figures on this page are computed estimates, not observed wages. Each one is a national role baseline scaled by a Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity cost-of-living multiplier (2025 index) and rounded to the nearest $1,000. No published wage percentile is consulted and no wage survey response enters the calculation, so an Orbyt estimate must not be cited as a Bureau of Labor Statistics figure or as measured pay. The published wage data Orbyt holds is Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and Department of Labor H-1B Labor Condition Application filings, which record a filed minimum visa base wage rather than market pay. Where BLS publishes a wage for the occupation a role maps to, it is shown on that role's page as a separate benchmark, labelled with its occupation code, metro area and the number of employed workers it covers. Last updated August 2026. This role maps to BLS occupation code 11-9199. Full methodology.
Orbyt estimates the average Contracts Manager salary in the United States at $137,000 in 2026, within a range of $100,000 to $179,000. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page. San Jose is the highest of the 81 cities at $197,000, while San Jose offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Industry sector heavily influences pay, with government contracting and defense paying premiums for security clearances.
Contracts Manager salary by city.
Skills that increase Contracts Manager pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Contracts Managers based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $19,180 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$19,180 per year
≈ +$17,810 per year
≈ +$16,440 per year
≈ +$15,070 per year
≈ +$15,070 per year
≈ +$13,700 per year
≈ +$13,700 per year
≈ +$12,330 per year
What you should know.
Industry sector heavily influences pay, with government contracting and defense paying premiums for security clearances. Volume and complexity of contracts managed, CLM platform expertise, and negotiation authority level are key differentiators. Managers handling high-value enterprise agreements earn significantly more.
Contract administrators start at $55,000 to $75,000. Mid-level contracts managers earn $95,000 to $120,000. Senior directors of contract management reach $140,000 to $175,000, with VP-level roles at large enterprises exceeding $190,000.
Bonuses typically range from 8 to 15% of base salary, often tied to deal throughput and compliance metrics. Defense and aerospace employers add clearance pay differentials, and tech companies frequently include RSU grants.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote Contracts Managers typically earn $123,000 (10% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
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Common questions about Contracts Manager pay.
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