Holds the legal authority to sign, change and end government contracts, and runs the competitions that decide which companies win federal work. BLS does not publish separate figures for purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products; it counts them within purchasing agent, except wholesale, retail, and farm products (SOC 13-1023), whose median pay is $77,710 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
- SOC 13-1023
- Business and Financial Operations
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Contracting Officer in four numbers
- Median pay
- $77,710a year, or $37.36/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $48KTop 10% $129K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +6.0%Faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+6%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +6% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 47,200516,100 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 2025516.1K
- Projected 2035547K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 516.1K Projected 2035 547K - Typical education
- Bachelor'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- High school15%
- Associate's10%
- Bachelor's65%
- Post-bacc certificate10%
Highest education held by purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products Segment Value High school 15% Associate's 10% Bachelor's 65% Post-bacc certificate 10%
Also advertised as: Federal Contracting Officer, Warranted Contracting Officer, Contract Specialist, Procuring Contracting Officer, Administrative Contracting Officer.
Pay
How much do Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products make?
Every contracting officer in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$77,710
Middle half earn $60,800 to $100,820
- 10th
- $48,380
- 25th
- $60,800
- 75th
- $100,820
- 90th
- $128,870
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $48,380 |
| 25th | $60,800 |
| Median | $77,710 |
| 75th | $100,820 |
| 90th | $128,870 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $77,710
- Median hourly wage
- $37.36/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $83,770
- People employed
- 491,430
Versus all US occupations
At $77,710, Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products earn 52% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $26,730 a year.
Versus business and financial operations occupations
Inside the Business and Financial Operations group, where the middle occupation pays $80,730, this is 4% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $128,870 or more while the bottom 10% earn $48,380, a gap of 2.7×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 54% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
District of Columbia pays the most at $124,090, and still leads at $112,911 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1District of Columbia | $124,090 | $112,911 | 1,880 |
| 2New Jersey | $93,250 | $85,704 | 12,180 |
| 3Maryland | $90,900 | $86,605 | 8,900 |
| 4Virginia | $89,210 | $88,236 | 22,120 |
| 5Rhode Island | $86,240 | $84,318 | N/A |
| 6Massachusetts | $85,970 | $81,290 | 12,820 |
| 7Washington | $85,130 | $79,551 | 15,400 |
| 8Colorado | $83,590 | $81,114 | 10,080 |
| 9Alaska | $83,460 | $81,537 | 890 |
| 10Connecticut | $83,030 | $80,137 | 5,530 |
Job outlook
Is Contracting Officer a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Faster than average. +6.0% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products | +6% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Faster than average
BLS projects employment of Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products to change 6.0% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 30,800 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 47,200 openings are projected each year, 9.1% of the 516,100 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Getting in
How to become a Contracting Officer
Federal contracting jobs in the contracting series generally require a bachelor's degree or a set number of business credit hours, and most people start as contract specialist trainees. Agencies such as the Defense Department, the General Services Administration and NASA run intern programs that rotate new hires through different contract types.
The Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting, administered through the Federal Acquisition Institute, or the Defense Acquisition University certification for defense civilians, is the main credential. Earning a warrant takes training, experience and agency approval, and warrant limits grow over a career. The National Contract Management Association offers the Certified Federal Contracts Manager and related credentials for both government and industry.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Bachelor's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Medium preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products.
- Bachelor's Degree65%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)15%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree10%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate10%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | 65% |
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 15% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 10% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 10% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Contracting Officer do?
Contracting officers are the only people who can legally commit the government to a contract. Under the Federal Acquisition Regulation they receive a written warrant setting how much they can obligate, and they use it to buy everything from office supplies and construction to fighter jets and research.
They plan acquisitions with the program offices that need goods or services, write solicitations, evaluate proposals with technical teams, negotiate prices and terms, and award contracts. After award they manage changes, resolve disputes, review invoices and close out contracts. Contract specialists do much of this work under a contracting officer's authority as they build experience. State and local governments have similar procurement officers, and defense contractors hire people with this background to manage the other side of the table.
Day-to-day tasks
- Plan acquisitions with program and requirements offices
- Write solicitations and statements of work
- Run source selections and evaluate proposals
- Negotiate prices, terms and conditions with contractors
- Award, modify and terminate contracts under a warrant
- Ensure compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation
- Resolve contract disputes and claims
- Review contractor performance and close out completed contracts
Typical tasks, researched by NueCareer from the sources below.
Working conditions and hours
Contracting officers work in federal agency, military base and contractor offices, with growing telework options. Most days are spent reading, writing and negotiating. The end of the federal fiscal year brings heavy workloads and long hours as offices rush to award contracts.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayIndoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeSeated for more than half the working day.
Standing
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely importantDealing with customers or the public is very important.
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension4.1
- Active Listening4.0
- Writing4.0
- Speaking4.0
- Critical Thinking3.9
- Active Learning3.9
- Monitoring3.8
- Mathematics3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.1 |
| Active Listening | 4.0 |
| Writing | 4.0 |
| Speaking | 4.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.9 |
| Active Learning | 3.9 |
| Monitoring | 3.8 |
| Mathematics | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Negotiation4.3
- Complex Problem Solving4.0
- Judgment and Decision Making3.9
- Persuasion3.8
- Management of Financial Resources3.8
- Social Perceptiveness3.3
- Instructing3.3
- Time Management3.3
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Negotiation | 4.3 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 4.0 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.9 |
| Persuasion | 3.8 |
| Management of Financial Resources | 3.8 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.3 |
| Instructing | 3.3 |
| Time Management | 3.3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Accounting software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Document management software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Process mapping and design software · in demand
- Project management software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Analytical or scientific software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Contracting Officer?
NueCareer estimate (Holland code CEI) built on O*NET's Purchasing Agent, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products profile, scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Contracting Officer |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 4 |
| Investigative | 3 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 2 |
| Enterprising | 5 |
| Conventional | 6 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around organising, following procedures and working precisely with data, combined with leading, persuading, selling and making decisions.
- Conventional5.8
- Enterprising5.2
- Realistic3.5
- Investigative2.7
- Social1.9
- Artistic1.2
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Contracting Officer
O*NET related occupations
- Business and Financial Operations
Purchasing Agent, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products
$77,710median a year
Most earn $48K to $129K
+6.0%Bachelor's - Office and Administrative Support
- Management
- Business and Financial Operations
Wholesale and Retail Buyer, Except Farm Products
$77,710median a year
Most earn $48K to $129K
+6.0%Bachelor's - Business and Financial Operations
- Business and Financial Operations
More business and financial operations careers
Median annual pay, with purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products highlighted
- Financial Advisor$105,070
- Accountant$83,680
- Insurance Underwriter$81,370
- Coroner$80,730
- Claims Adjuster, Examiner, and Investigator$78,000
- Contracting Officer$77,710
- Loan Officer$76,690
- Human Resources Specialist$75,940
- Appraiser and Assessor of Real Estate$67,960
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Financial Advisor | $105,070 |
| Accountant | $83,680 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $81,370 |
| Coroner | $80,730 |
| Claims Adjuster, Examiner, and Investigator | $78,000 |
| Contracting Officer | $77,710 |
| Loan Officer | $76,690 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $75,940 |
| Appraiser and Assessor of Real Estate | $67,960 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Contracting Officer appears on
Questions
Contracting Officer: frequently asked questions
How much do Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products make?
BLS does not publish a separate wage for purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products. It counts them within purchasing agent, except wholesale, retail, and farm products, whose median pay is $77,710 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of that occupation earn between $60,800 and $100,820, and the top 10% earn $128,870 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Contracting Officer?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as medium preparation. BLS also lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 65.0% hold bachelor's degree.
Is Contracting Officer a growing career?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 6.0% over 2025–2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 47,200 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Contracting Officer do?
Contracting officers are the only people who can legally commit the government to a contract. A typical task: plan acquisitions with program and requirements offices. Employers most often ask for Accounting software, Data base user interface and query software, Document management software.
Which states pay Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products the most?
The highest state medians for Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products are District of Columbia ($124,090), New Jersey ($93,250), Maryland ($90,900) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Contracting Officer?
O*NET scores Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products highest on the Conventional, Enterprising and Realistic interest areas, so the work mixes organising, following procedures and working precisely with data with leading, persuading, selling and making decisions. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ESTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.