Military Acquisitions and Contracts Specialists
Military Career
General Information
Description
Acquisitions and contracts specialists negotiate, procure, and process administrative actions necessary to acquire contracted resources. They understand pricing techniques, market trends, and supply sources of goods and services the Military needs to operate. They develop acquisition strategies to ensure cost-effective decisions are made. Acquisitions and contracts specialists serve as business advisors, buyers, and administrators to support all functions of procurement actions.
Explore this career outside the MilitaryWork Environment
Contracts specialists work in offices on land or aboard ships.
Workplace at a Glance
What you can expect to experience while on the job
- Responsibility
- Exposure to job hazards
- Physical activity
- Decision making
- Repetitiveness
- Level of competition
- Time pressure
Comparable Industries
- Business Management & Administration
Military Outlook
Service Branches
Jobs in this career field may be available in other service branches. Call or email a particular branch for more info.
Army
Marine Corps
Navy
Air Force
Coast Guard
Space ForceMilitary Status
- Enlisted
- Hands-on/specialized
- High school diploma required
Military Workforce
Acquisitions and Contracts Specialists in the Military
9,269
Salary
Salary Information
Median Military Salary This is the median, or the midpoint, of the salary range for this career.
$104,573
Military Salary Range Salary varies based on years of service, degree level, special pays, family status and location. Learn more about Military benefits.
$28,061 - $256,074
What makes up a Military salary?
Military salaries include a lot more than just base pay.
They also offer:
- Housing allowances
- Subsistence allowances
- Special and incentive pays
- Cost-of-living allowances
- Hazardous-duty pay
- Bonuses
Learn more about what goes into a salary with the compensation estimator
Learn more about military insurance and retirement benefits
Education
Most Common Education Levels
People in this career achieve this level of education.
-
High school 48%
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Bachelor's degree 32%
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Some college 16%
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Associate's degree 2%
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Master's degree 0%
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Doctoral degree 0%
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Post baccalaureate 0%
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Less than high school 0%
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Post-doctoral training 0%
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Post-master's certificate 0%
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First professional degree 0%
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Post-secondary certificate 0%
Military training
All enlisted service members complete basic military training, which includes time spent in a classroom and in the field, and covers tactical and survival skills, physical training, military life and customs, and weapons training. Job training for contracts specialists consists of classroom and on-the-job instruction. Training content relates to contract administration, and may include: Use of military procurement systemsMission-focused contractingAcquisition proceduresContract pricingGovernment contract laws
Read MoreSkills at a Glance
Skills helpful in this career
- Verbal skills
- Critical thinking & problem solving
- Equipment operation & maintenance
- Math & science skills
- Technology design & control
- Leadership
Related College Majors
Select major to see colleges that offer it
Knowledge
- Administrative
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
- Mathematics
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