When Bobby Roberson begins his duties as Washington’s city manager Jan. 1, 2016, he will be paid $120,000 yearly, according to his employment agreement with the city.

The agreement expires Dec. 31, 2017, but it can be terminated sooner under certain conditions or possibly extended. The City Council decided last month to hire Roberson after considering about 40 other applicants for the job.

Hartwell Wright, a human-resources consultant with the North Carolina League of Municipalities, said Roberson’s salary is within the range that managers of North Carolina municipalities similar in size to Washington are paid. “That’s about average, in the $100,000 to $125,000 area,” he said.

While serving as interim city manager this year, Roberson’s salary was capped at $50,000.

Roberson has been serving as interim city manager since June, when he resigned from the City Council in the wake of then-City Manager Brian Alligood resigning to become the new manager for Beaufort County. When Alligood began working for the city in mid-2013, his base salary was $127,000.

Should the council terminate Roberson’s employment before the agreement expires, the council must give him 30 days notice and pay him severance pay equal to one month’s salary, benefits and deferred compensation. The council also would pay Roberson for any earned and unused vacation time up to 240 hours and holidays. If Roberson is terminated for reasons of moral turpitude, criminal illegality and/or habitual violations of traffic laws, the council is not obligated to provide severance pay.

Roberson said he did not seek the usual severance package of six month’s worth of salary because he does not consider it necessary. If he is terminated, Roberson can rely on his retirement pay from the state’s retirement system, in which city employees participate.

If city employees receive a cost-of-living adjustment, Roberson is entitled to the same rate of adjustment. The council has the option of increasing Roberson’s salary under certain conditions, such as a merit raise.

The agreement requires Roberson to live within the city. The city will pay Roberson a car allowance of $400 a month. Roberson will be reimbursed in accordance with the city’s travel policy for any car travel outside a 150-mile radius of the city. The city also will pay the premiums for life, major medical and other group insurance for Roberson, as it does for other city employees.

Recently, Roberson said he planned to use his personal cellphone instead of using one provided by the city. The city will provide Roberson a cellphone allowance in an amount equivalent that other city employees receive. Roberson’s monthly allowance will about $61 a month.

Nicole G. Williams notarized the agreement Monday.