How Much Does a Vendor Relationship Manager Make in 2025?
A vendor relationship manager oversees supplier partnerships, negotiates contracts, and ensures vendors meet company standards. They play an important role in maintaining smooth operations between businesses and their vendors.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents is projected to grow 5% from 2024 to 2034, a category under which vendor relationship managers fall. About 58,700 job openings are expected each year on average throughout the decade, resulting from workers transferring to other roles or leaving the workforce.
Below is an overview of vendor relationship manager salaries, including pay ranges, highest paying cities and states, and factors that affect their pay.
What is the Average Vendor Relationship Manager's Salary?
As of November 1, 2025, the average salary for vendor relationship managers in the United States is $127,000 per year or $61 per hour.
2025 Vendor Relationship Manager Average Salary: $127,000 per year ($61 per hour)
Moreover, the vendor relationship manager salary per month is $10,583, which is $2,442 per week.
What is the Pay Range for a Vendor Relationship Manager?
According to Salary.com's report, the salary range for vendor relationship managers starts at $112,710 and can reach as high as $142,035, with most earnings falling between $119,520 to $134,870. Factors like experience, geographic location, and company size can directly impact earning potential.
Vendor Relationship Manager Salary Range: $112,710 to $142,035 per year ($54 to $68 per hour)
| Percentile | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $54 | $2,167 | $9,392 | $112,710 |
| 25th Percentile | $57 | $2,298 | $9,960 | $119,520 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $61 | $2,442 | $10,583 | $127,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $65 | $2,594 | $11,239 | $134,870 |
| 90th Percentile | $68 | $2,731 | $11,836 | $142,035 |
Vendor Relationship Manager Salary Factors
Years of experience, location, and skills are important factors that can affect vendor relationship manager earnings. Below, we break down each factor to explain how it influences their salaries.
Years of Experience
The earnings of vendor relationship managers increase as their experience level advances. Entry-level vendor relationship managers can earn $124,368 annually, while those with over 8 years of experience can earn $129,111 per year.
| Levels | Years of Experience | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level Vendor Relationship Manager | less than 1 year | $124,368 |
| Intermediate Level Vendor Relationship Manager | 1-2 years | $124,681 |
| Senior Level Vendor Relationship Manager | 2-4 years | $125,726 |
| Specialist Level Vendor Relationship Manager | 5-8 years | $126,980 |
| Expert Level Vendor Relationship Manager | over 8 years | $129,111 |
Place of Work
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) doesn't provide specific salary data for vendor relationship managers, but they fall under the broader category of purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents, which offers a close perspective.
Salaries vary based on industry, with those working in professional, scientific, and technical services having the highest pay.
| Place of Work | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | $163,560 |
| Management of companies and enterprises | $162,920 |
| Government, excluding state/local education & hospitals | $148,240 |
| Manufacturing | $132,720 |
| Wholesale trade | $127,310 |
Skill Set
Vendor relationship managers with more skills can get higher pay. According to Salary.com's Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report, Service Level Agreement (SLA) Management skills increase salaries by 7.86%, followed by Vendor Relationship Management skills with 7.67% increase.
Other important skills that can significantly increase the pay of vendor relationship managers are the following:
| Skill | Demand | Salary Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Service Level Agreement (SLA) Management | 10.70% | 7.86% |
| Vendor Relationship Management | 10.60% | 7.67% |
| Procurement | 10.00% | 7.51% |
| IT Service Management (ITSM) | 10.00% | 7.25% |
| Vendor Management | 10.00% | 7.18% |
| Software Asset Management | 10.00% | 7.15% |
Vendor Relationship Manager Salary by City and State
The average salary for vendor relationship managers in the U.S. varies in each city and state. This is because geographic location affects pay through differences in cost of living and whether there is a strong industrial presence in that area.
Highest Paying States for Vendor Relationship Manager
Based on Salary.com's salary data, the District of Columbia offers the highest average pay for a vendor relationship manager in the United States, at $140,620 per year. Other top-paying states include:
- District of Columbia: $140,620 per year ($68 per hour)
- California: $140,090 per year ($67 per hour)
- Massachusetts: $138,220 per year ($66 per hour)
- Washington: $137,710 per year ($66 per hour)
- New Jersey: $137,660 per year ($66 per hour)
Vendor Relationship Manager Salary by State
| State | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $137,480 |
| Alabama | $116,680 |
| Arkansas | $114,740 |
| Arizona | $123,750 |
| California | $140,090 |
| Colorado | $129,580 |
| Connecticut | $135,730 |
| District of Columbia | $140,620 |
| Delaware | $128,620 |
| Florida | $120,170 |
| Georgia | $122,500 |
| Hawaii | $132,750 |
| Iowa | $121,540 |
| Idaho | $118,560 |
| Illinois | $129,460 |
| Indiana | $121,910 |
| Kansas | $120,930 |
| Kentucky | $119,510 |
| Louisiana | $120,760 |
| Massachusetts | $138,220 |
| Maryland | $130,950 |
| Maine | $123,830 |
| Michigan | $125,070 |
| Minnesota | $129,960 |
| Missouri | $120,670 |
| Mississippi | $113,260 |
| Montana | $119,910 |
| North Carolina | $120,690 |
| North Dakota | $125,460 |
| Nebraska | $119,650 |
| New Hampshire | $128,390 |
| New Jersey | $137,660 |
| New Mexico | $117,630 |
| Nevada | $125,700 |
| New York | $135,020 |
| Ohio | $123,660 |
| Oklahoma | $117,430 |
| Oregon | $128,970 |
| Pennsylvania | $126,430 |
| Rhode Island | $131,680 |
| South Carolina | $119,000 |
| South Dakota | $115,420 |
| Tennessee | $118,690 |
| Texas | $123,880 |
| Utah | $121,620 |
| Virginia | $127,890 |
| Vermont | $124,660 |
| Washington | $137,710 |
| Wisconsin | $124,930 |
| West Virginia | $114,370 |
| Wyoming | $121,800 |
Highest Paying Cities for Vendor Relationship Manager
Salary.com also reports that the city of San Jose, California offers the highest annual pay for vendor relationship managers at $160,190 per year. Other top-paying cities include:
- San Jose, California: $160,190 per year ($77 per hour)
- San Francisco, California: $158,620 per year ($76 per hour)
- Oakland, California: $155,100 per year ($75 per hour)
- New York, New York: $147,190 per year ($71 per hour)
- Queens Village, New York: $146,230 per year ($70 per hour)
Ways to Increase Your Salary as a Vendor Relationship Manager
Vendor relationship managers are responsible for managing vendor partnerships, negotiating contracts, and ensuring smooth operations between businesses and their vendors. Career growth and higher average salary for vendor relationship managers generally come from enhancing skills, gaining certifications, and taking on higher-value responsibilities in top-paying industries.
Here are effective ways to increase your salary as a vendor relationship manager:
- Enhancing skills: Some in-demand skills that will help increase a vendor relationship manager's salary are Service Level Agreement (SLA) Management, Vendor Relationship Management, Procurement, IT Service Management (ITSM), Vendor Management, Software Asset Management, Software Licensing, and Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL).
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Gaining certification: Professional certifications demonstrate expertise and commitment to the role, often resulting in improved salary and job security. Relevant certifications include:
- Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM): Covers procurement, sourcing, and vendor relationship management.
- Supplier Relationship Management Certification: Offered by World Commerce & Contracting, focusing on vendor performance, governance, and strategic management.
- Certified Supplier Management Professional (CSMP): SIG University program targeted at supplier/vendor management roles.
- Accessing top industries: Certain industries provide the highest pay for vendor relationship managers. These include technology, professional and scientific services, management of companies, and government sectors. Working in high-demand areas allows relationship managers to earn more and gain experience managing complex vendor relationships.
- Taking on larger portfolios: Managing high-value vendors or multiple contracts demonstrates leadership and strategic ability, which can justify higher salary and recognition from employers.
- Demonstrating measurable impact: Documented results such as cost savings, risk reduction, or process improvements help relationship managers negotiate a higher salary for vendor relationship managers. Employers value contributions that directly impact business performance and cost efficiency.
Average National Salaries By Source
As of November 1, 2025, data from multiple sources provide a broader perspective on vendor relationship manager salaries. The unweighted average salary across five major sources is approximately $99,824 per year.
SALARY.COM AVG. SALARY
$127,000/ year
INDEED AVG. SALARY
$57,088/ year
GLASSDOOR AVG. SALARY
$151,000/ year
PAYSCALE AVG. SALARY
$82,785/ year
ZIPRECRUITER AVG. SALARY
$81,251/ year
