Research Summary. The Zippia data team has analyzed a comprehensive array of public government statistics and company data, in addition to insights gathered from thousands of job postings to generate current average salary estimates for associate positions across the United States. This analysis has pinpointed the highest-paying associate roles based on their annual salaries.
Here’s a summary of our findings regarding the highest-paying types of associates in 2026:
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The Furniture Sales Associate remains the top-earning associate role, with an average salary of $49,717 and an hourly rate of $23.90.
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The second highest-paying role is the Commissioned Sales Associate, with an average salary of $36,949.
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The overall average salary for associates is currently $69,556 per year, translating to an average hourly wage of $33.44.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Deciding on a career path can be a challenging endeavor. While salary shouldn’t be the sole consideration, it undoubtedly plays a crucial role in your decision-making process. If you aspire to work as an associate, understanding the highest-paying positions can assist you in effectively planning your career trajectory.
Below are the top salaries for various types of associates:
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Furniture Sales Associate
Average Salary: $49,717
A furniture sales associate is primarily tasked with selling furniture. This role demands a polished sales pitch to effectively persuade customers to make purchases. Beyond selling, they also serve as advertisers for the business, aiming to attract new clientele. Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential, as this position often requires direct interaction with customers, whether in-person or via phone.
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Commissioned Sales Associate
Average Salary: $36,949
Commissioned sales associates are vital in executing sales transactions while earning additional compensation through increased sales. Collaborating effectively with fellow associates regarding sales and commission distribution is crucial. Providing excellent customer service fosters long-term relationships and enhances customer satisfaction. Additionally, these associates support department managers with visual merchandising to optimally display and stock new merchandise.
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Technician/Sales Associate
Average Salary: $35,654
A technician/sales associate promotes the products or services of a company through exceptional customer service. Their responsibilities include greeting customers, guiding them through product selections, answering inquiries, and ensuring a pleasant shopping experience. They also handle payment processing and packaging of purchased goods, requiring skills in customer service, communication, and sales strategy.
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Merchandising Associate
Average Salary: $33,201
Merchandising associates play a crucial role in ensuring a comprehensive shopping experience for customers. They are responsible for arranging and restocking merchandise on shelves, creating product displays, and ensuring visibility for popular and promotional items. Their duties include tagging items for sale and updating inventory records. Skills in customer service, attention to detail, and relevant experience in sales are required for this role.
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Sales Associate
Average Salary: $32,167
Below is a comprehensive table displaying the average salaries for various associate roles, followed by a detailed explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Associates
Methodology
Zippia utilizes publicly accessible information from reputable government sources, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), to develop its salary estimates.
Our data science team also reviews job postings and company-published resources for the latest salary information for associates.
After data collection, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title to arrive at accurate salary estimates. For more details on our methodology, please refer to our detailed methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Associate Jobs FAQs
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What is the highest-paid associate job?
The highest-paid associate job is a Furniture Sales Associate. Furniture Sales Associates earn an average salary of $49,717, equating to $23.90 per hour.
A furniture sales associate is responsible for selling furniture and must maintain a polished sales pitch to encourage customers to make purchases. However, selling is not their only role; they also act as advertisers to promote the company’s products and attract new customers. Proficient communication and interpersonal skills are vital in this role, as it frequently involves direct interaction with potential customers.
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What is a good salary for an associate?
A good salary for an associate is $69,556 or higher. With an average salary of $69,556, those earning at least this amount are above average in their paychecks.
However, it’s essential to remember that the average associate salary can vary based on location, as companies typically adjust their pay scales according to local living costs. It’s advisable to research the average salary in your area for your expertise and experience level for a more accurate assessment of your compensation.
Furthermore, if you’re new to the associate field, the average entry-level salary can be significantly lower, so don’t judge your salary solely against the $69,556 average, which includes all experience levels.
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Do Associate jobs pay well?
Yes, associate jobs generally offer competitive salaries. While some associate roles are more lucrative than others, the average associate salary of $69,556 is significantly higher than the national average salary of approximately $44,225 per year.
Moreover, many associate roles present high earning potential, with the top 10% of associates earning substantial salaries.
It’s important to consider that salaries for associates can vary based on experience, industry, and geographic location. Conduct thorough research on the compensation trends for associates in your area and don’t hesitate to negotiate your salary based on your findings.
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Where do associates earn the highest salaries?
Associates earn the most in New York. In New York, associates receive an average annual salary of $89,570 and an average hourly wage of $43.06.
Following New York, the states with the highest-paid associates include Connecticut, New Jersey, and Massachusetts, with average annual salaries of $75,022, $69,901, and $73,855, respectively.
The cities that offer the highest salaries for associates are:
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Washington, DC – $93,302
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New York, NY – $90,902
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Menlo Park, CA – $82,294
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Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
