Pros and Cons: Contract Administrator
Contract administrators are responsible for getting supplies and items from various distributors on behalf of an employer. You can learn about the pros and cons to being a contract administrator by reading below.
| PROS: Contract Administrator |
|---|
| Salary is above the national average ($54,188 median annually)** |
| Opportunity to work in different settings (healthcare, educational services, government, finances, professional services, etc)* |
| Career advancement opportunities (director positions, etc)* |
| Work in a comfortable environment* |
| CONS: Contract Administrator |
|---|
| One in four work more than 50 hours a week* |
| Negotiating contracts can be stressful* |
| Traveling from location to location is sometimes required* |
| Previous work experience is strongly preferred in many cases* |
Sources: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, **Salary.com
Career Information
Job Description
Supplies and equipment for an organization are acquired by a contract administrator; this may include anything from computers and food to desks and paper clips. You'll ensure the items are properly stored and ready for use. When there is a specific item your company needs, you'll find a vendor and purchase it. When you purchase items, you want to negotiate the best price and deal for your employer in order to save as much money as possible. This involves overseeing contract deals with your suppliers and vendors.
Salary Information
Salary.com in August 2015 listed that contract administrators with less than two years of experience had a median annual income of about $54,188. With two to four years of experience, the salary for this position increased to about $66,000 per year. If you have anywhere between four and six years of experience as a contract administrator, then you could see an income of around $76,000. Finally, contract administrators who have six to eight years of experience had a median salary of roughly $97,000 annually.
Job Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), administrative services managers (which includes contract negotiators) were expected to see a 12% growth in employment from 2012-2022. This is average when compared to all other occupations. Part of this growth is a result of companies becoming more aware of energy efficiency and environmental impact. Many organizations are also looking for contract administrators who can negotiate services that are contracted out like grounds maintenance, repairs, janitorial services and food services.
Career Requirements
Education and Training
You need at least a GED or a high school diploma to work as a contract administrator; however, many employers are looking for contract administrators with at least a bachelor's degree. Business and communication majors are ideal given the negotiation aspects of the job. Previous work experience is very important as well. It's also important that you have leadership and managerial skills along with experience in sales and purchases.
What Do Employers Want?
Detail-oriented people are highly valuable to employers looking for contract administrators. If you make any mistakes, it may disrupt your employer's business. Communication and analytical skills are also important for negotiating contracts and ensuring you get a good deal. You can learn what some real employers were looking for in contract administrators in May 2012 by reading below.
- In Maryland, a contract administrator position requires someone with organizational skills and experience in negotiating. Applicants also must have strong computer skills and be willing to travel within a region.
- A Texas company is looking for a contract administrator who is proficient with Microsoft Excel. Applicants must be experienced in handling contracts and having a bachelor's degree is strongly preferred.
- A contract administrator job in California is available to applicants willing to perform vendor visits, spot checks and ride-alongs. The position requires an individual to maintain technology within the workplace to ensure efficiency.
- In New York, a business wants a contract administrator who has at least three years of experience in administration work.
How to Stand Out
By taking the time to join an official organization like the International Facility Management Association, you can set yourself apart from other contract administrators. Beyond the resources accessible to you as a member of this group, you can also pursue certification options. By obtaining a professional designation, you're demonstrating an additional level of commitment and professionalism beyond your peers who don't possess certification. Your certification options include the Facilities Management Professional (FMP) and Certified Facility Manager (CFR). While the FMP certification is for people entering the field, you have to possess a minimum amount of education and work experience for the CFM credential. The amount of work experience that you need varies depending on the level of education you have obtained.
Other Career Options
As a facility manager, you oversee the managing, planning and maintenance of the equipment, supplies, grounds and buildings used by your employer. Your overall goal is to make sure that the business' operations continue to run smoothly. Salary.com reported that facility managers had a median annual income of around $80,000 in 2012.
You can find employment in other areas of administrative service management. As a manager, you'll generally coordinate, direct and plan various services for your organization in a supporting capacity. This might include making sure mail gets distributed and records are properly kept. The BLS found that administrative services managers earned about $87,000 on average in 2011.
