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Job outlook for associate analysts in the United States
Associate analyst job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected associate analyst job growth rate is 9% from 2018-2028.
About 31,900 new jobs for associate analysts are projected over the next decade.
Associate analyst salaries have increased 9% for associate analysts in the last 5 years.
There are over 147,981 associate analysts currently employed in the United States.
There are 97,311 active associate analyst job openings in the US.
The average associate analyst salary is $68,161.
Are associate analyst jobs in demand?
Associate Analyst job and salary trends over time
Associate Analyst jobs over time
Associate Analyst job growth rate over time
| Year | # Of Jobs | % Of Population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 147,981 | 0.04% |
| 2020 | 135,731 | 0.04% |
| 2019 | 131,771 | 0.04% |
| 2018 | 134,569 | 0.04% |
| 2017 | 128,976 | 0.04% |
Average associate analyst salary over time
Associate Analyst salary by year
| Year | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $68,161 | $32.77 | +2.6% |
| 2024 | $66,416 | $31.93 | +1.7% |
| 2023 | $65,327 | $31.41 | +1.6% |
| 2022 | $64,290 | $30.91 | +3.1% |
| 2021 | $62,353 | $29.98 | +1.8% |
Associate Analyst jobs by state
Most common states for associate analysts
| Rank | State | Population | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 881 | 127% |
| 2 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 2,458 | 29% |
| 3 | Delaware | 961,939 | 258 | 27% |
| 4 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,381 | 23% |
| 5 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,419 | 21% |
| 6 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 941 | 17% |
| 7 | Vermont | 623,657 | 102 | 16% |
| 8 | New York | 19,849,399 | 2,988 | 15% |
| 9 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 470 | 15% |
| 10 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 114 | 15% |
| 11 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 87 | 15% |
| 12 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,799 | 14% |
| 13 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 800 | 14% |
| 14 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 262 | 14% |
| 15 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 183 | 14% |
| 16 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 149 | 14% |
| 17 | Alaska | 739,795 | 106 | 14% |
| 18 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,143 | 13% |
| 19 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 539 | 13% |
| 20 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 447 | 12% |
Most common cities for associate analysts
| Rank | City | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waltham | 10 | 16% | $66,921 |
| 2 | Wilmington | 3 | 4% | $60,341 |
| 3 | Downers Grove | 2 | 4% | $59,453 |
| 4 | Baltimore | 6 | 1% | $62,584 |
| 5 | Tampa | 4 | 1% | $53,589 |
| 6 | Atlanta | 3 | 1% | $53,583 |
| 7 | Minneapolis | 3 | 1% | $59,537 |
| 8 | Huntsville | 2 | 1% | $55,561 |
| 9 | Chicago | 7 | 0% | $59,655 |
| 10 | Los Angeles | 5 | 0% | $70,413 |
| 11 | New York | 4 | 0% | $79,288 |
| 12 | Boston | 2 | 0% | $66,966 |
| 13 | Charlotte | 2 | 0% | $70,510 |
| 14 | Denver | 2 | 0% | $54,887 |
| 15 | Phoenix | 2 | 0% | $54,940 |
Associate Analyst job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of associate analyst experts
UMass Lowell
Merrimack College
University of Northern Iowa
University of Cincinnati Clermont College
College of New Jersey, The
University of Washington
Christopher Newport University
University of Southern Maine
Western Kentucky University
John Jay College of Criminal Justice of the City University of New York
University of California, Santa Cruz
Ottawa University at Overland Park
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Manhattan College
Coastal Carolina University
Michael Ciuchta Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Program Coordinator, Masters of Science in EntrepreneurshipUMass Lowell
Department of Marketing, Entrepreneurship & Innovation
What general advice would you give to an Associate Analyst?
Michael Ciuchta Ph.D.: Remember that your first job does not define your career. You may build a career around that first job or you may use it as a valuable learning experience to change careers at some point. Eventually, what we call our careers are only really seen in hindsight. They are part of a narrative we construct about ourselves. So, don't worry to much about whether you are on the 'right path'. The right path is the one you chose at the time given the constraints and alternatives before you. But make the most of every opportunity you can to learn more about yourself - what you like, what you don't like, and what you find fulfilling about your work.
What Associate Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Michael Ciuchta Ph.D.: Obviously we are seeing a tremendous increase in AI and other digital technologies. These will become a more crucial skill set for many careers going forward. But I wouldn't downplay the role of what are traditionally seen as soft skills like empathy, communications, and judgment. Not only can these distinguish you from robots but from your human competitors as well.
What will help Associate Analysts increase their earning potential?
Michael Ciuchta Ph.D.: If all you want is the highest potential starting salary, then you should aim for careers that offer them. But that is a shortsighted way to view things. For example, many careers that have tournament-like pay structures (think entertainment) often have very low starting salaries but the so-called winners enjoy outsized financial gains. If you are thinking about a more traditional career, I think it's important to make sure you are more valuable to your employer than they are to you. This means you have to market yourself, both to your current employer as well as to potential ones. Of course, this approach may not be for everyone and maximizing your salary potential is only one thing you should be considering when assessing job and career opportunities.
What general advice would you give to an Associate Analyst?
Reshad Osmani PhD: As a new graduate starting your career, I recommend staying curious, being open to learning from others, seeking feedback, building networks, and being proactive in tackling challenges. Keep developing your analytical skills, stay adaptable, and remember that mistakes are opportunities for growth. Learning by doing should be your number one priority.
What Associate Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Reshad Osmani PhD: To maximize your salary potential when starting your career, consider the following strategies: negotiate your starting salary based on market research, demonstrate your value through accomplishments, seek out opportunities for advancement and growth, continuously improve your skills, consider additional certifications or degrees, and be willing to explore job opportunities that offer competitive compensation packages.
What will help Associate Analysts increase their earning potential?
Reshad Osmani PhD: In the next 3-5 years, skills like data analysis, digital literacy, adaptability, emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills are likely to become even more important across various fields due to the increasing influence of technology, automation, and remote work trends. Additionally, skills related to cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and sustainability may also gain prominence.
Renee Robinson Ph.D.
Professor of CommunicationWhat general advice would you give to an Associate Analyst?
Renee Robinson Ph.D.: How can you maximize your salary potential when starting your career in your field?
What Associate Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Renee Robinson Ph.D.: What skills do you think will become more important and prevalent in the field in the next 3-5 years?
What will help Associate Analysts increase their earning potential?
Renee Robinson Ph.D.: That would be awesome! We were hoping you could answer the following questions: 1. What general advice would you give to a graduate beginning their career in the field?
What general advice would you give to an Associate Analyst?
Rebecca Bird MAS, BS MT(ASCP): Skills that will become more important in the future are understanding quality measures. Six Sigma Lean principles are very applicable to what we do and help to keep a balanced workflow. A second thing is to understand that you and your coworkers are human. Find resilience tools that help you to keep a calm focus and practice good communication. Stay connected to national organizations for articles and training to stay connected to the future.
What Associate Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Rebecca Bird MAS, BS MT(ASCP): To maximize your salary potential, obtain some experience while you are in school. If there is a clinic to volunteer at or a student job in a lab, take it. Higher pay is almost always offered to the evening and night shift technicians. If your new workplace is on 8-hour nights or evenings, create a schedule where evenings and nights do 10s or 12s and suggest it to the leadership. This makes a much better work-life balance.
What will help Associate Analysts increase their earning potential?
Rebecca Bird MAS, BS MT(ASCP): As a new graduate, remember why you decided on this career. Was it because you liked to help people? Then remember your results are improving the quality of life for another person. Is it because you like detective work? Then view each sample as a puzzle to work through. Is it because you want to further your education? Then never stop learning.
What general advice would you give to an Associate Analyst?
Marilyn Krogh: Statistical and communication skills are always in demand, and familiarity with a little AI would be a bonus.
What Associate Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Marilyn Krogh: Know yourself—take time to identify and name your own strengths, interests and priorities in your work life. Take advantage of the services from your university career development center.
What will help Associate Analysts increase their earning potential?
Marilyn Krogh: Have a strong undergraduate portfolio, do an internship before graduation, and be willing to 'go an extra mile' for your employer.
Chrissy Daeschner OTD, MS, OTR/L
Capstone CoordinatorWhat general advice would you give to an Associate Analyst?
Chrissy Daeschner OTD, MS, OTR/L: By saying "Yes". Most companies have standard salaries or small scale for adjusting salary. Per Diem jobs, research interventionist, additional weekend on call, adjunct jobs, and other opportunities gives you the ability to increase salary and opportunities.
What Associate Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Chrissy Daeschner OTD, MS, OTR/L: Research skills will be extremely important as the use of evidence-based research in practice and value-based services are imperative. Leadership and entrepreneurship skills will also be important as we promote programming and services in community-based settings.
What will help Associate Analysts increase their earning potential?
Chrissy Daeschner OTD, MS, OTR/L: I would suggest they keep an open mind and don't be fearful of the unknown, embrace it. I think there is a lot of stress of a getting a certain job or style of job, but taking different opportunities increases your connections and experiences.
What general advice would you give to an Associate Analyst?
Melissa Zimdars: To remember that you're going to learn a lot on the job and that failure is part of the learning process. It's okay to ask questions and to not know things, but you must be willing to take feedback, adjust, and grow.
What Associate Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Melissa Zimdars: - The ability to communicate effectively is an evergreen skill that only seems to be getting more important as the number of ways we communicate with each other, our supervisors, and with clients or outside stakeholders keeps expanding. - The ability to adapt to and learn how to navigate new technologies and platforms.
What will help Associate Analysts increase their earning potential?
Melissa Zimdars: Recognize that your first career opportunity won't be your last. If the job you land after college does not have opportunities for growth or advancement, it's imperative that you keep an eye out for them elsewhere as you continue to gain experience in your field.
What Associate Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Zhengyang Chen He / him: As a new graduate in economics, it's important to recognize the versatility of your degree. While you may not find many job postings explicitly requiring 'economics' as a skill, the discipline provides a robust foundation for various careers in the business world. Don't be discouraged if some people perceive economics as impractical; instead, focus on the valuable skills you've developed. Your training in critical thinking, economic modeling, and conceptual analysis equips you with a unique perspective that can be applied to diverse professional contexts. Use these skills to rapidly adapt to new work environments, acquire additional competencies, and navigate complex business situations. Your economics background gives you a distinct advantage in understanding market dynamics and decision-making processes, which are valuable in numerous industries.
What will help Associate Analysts increase their earning potential?
Zhengyang Chen He / him: In the past three decades and foreseeable future, data analytics skills are likely to become increasingly crucial in the economics field. This trend necessitates a strong foundation in statistics, probability theory, coding, and data visualization. The synergy between economics and data analytics is becoming more pronounced; economic theory provides the framework to interpret data meaningfully, while data analytics offers new avenues to test and refine economic models. Proficiency in programming languages like Python or R, familiarity with machine learning techniques, and the ability to communicate insights through effective data visualization will be highly sought after. These skills will not only make you more competitive in the job market but also enable you to contribute more substantially to economic research and policy analysis.
Fawen Zhang PhD
Professor of AudiologyUniversity of Cincinnati Clermont College
Communication Disorders Sciences And Services
What general advice would you give to an Associate Analyst?
Fawen Zhang PhD: This is perfect! Thank you so much. We will be sure to feature your response in the article and send a draft over for your review before we promote it.
What Associate Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Fawen Zhang PhD: This is perfect! Thank you so much. We will be sure to feature your response in the article and send a draft over for your review before we promote it.
What will help Associate Analysts increase their earning potential?
Fawen Zhang PhD: This is perfect! Thank you so much. We will be sure to feature your response in the article and send a draft over for your review before we promote it.
What general advice would you give to an Associate Analyst?
Dr. Piper Williams PhD: Students who major in AAS bring additional expertise and qualifications to any application - so a clear articulation of these could help to maximize salary potential. They will have: skills that will enable them to contribute to innovation in the workplace, a demonstrated capacity to think critically, communicate clearly, and solve complex problems, demonstrate ethical judgment and integrity; intercultural skills; and the capacity for continued new learning, critical thinking, complex problem-solving, written and oral communication, and applied knowledge in real-world settings.
What Associate Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Piper Williams PhD: I would advise a graduate to reflect on what they've learned about the contributions, experiences, history and present reality of people of African descent in the New World. In addition, thinking about the skills they developed related to the major in African American Studies, including but not limited to: Research and Analysis, Writing, Public Speaking, Project Development and Completion, Ethical Reasoning, Listening, Teamwork and Collaboration, Perspective-Taking, Awareness of Context and what they call 'Cultural Competence. Use this education, to make the case that in addition to all the skills you can bring, the education offered by AAS will allow you to distinguish yourself as a candidate who can meet the needs the current moment demands. Black Americans encounter implicit racism in all walks of life: medicine and healthcare, law, politics and gov't, business and industry, performing arts and entertainment, sports, education, news media and social, community and humanitarian services. With this degree, you can enter almost any field and be more equitable to everyone you meet. (And by the way, in the list above, there are a number of people with a degree in African American Studies.)
What will help Associate Analysts increase their earning potential?
Dr. Piper Williams PhD: As the chair of African American Studies (AAS) at TCNJ, I know that an AAS major combines the strengths of the traditional liberal arts major with the community engagement, cultural, and social awareness that is at the heart of the African American scholarly tradition. Students graduating with a degree in African American Studies will have the intellectual and practical tools to pursue any number of careers requiring analytical ability, cultural competence, and creative problem-solving skills.
What general advice would you give to an Associate Analyst?
Victor Menaldo: Learn, learn and learn some more. Adopt a growth mindset where you never stop learning. Gain economic literacy and financial literacy and historical literacy and statistical literacy. This will allow you to complement AI: ask it good questions, contextualize and evaluate its answers, and ask good follow up questions.
What Associate Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Victor Menaldo: Interacting with AI and knowing how to best exploit it to get the most out of it: increase productivity and value added in whatever field one is in.
What will help Associate Analysts increase their earning potential?
Victor Menaldo: Develop oral communication skills that allow you to speak in an articulate manner and organize your thoughts to signal your competence, knowledge, work ethic, and willingness to keep learning and improving.
What Associate Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Travis Taylor Ph.D.: The integration of technology and economics will deepen, making skills in data science and artificial intelligence increasingly vital for economists. Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, STATA, or R, along with a strong grasp of machine learning applications, will enhance marketability. These technical skills, coupled with the ability to effectively communicate complex data insights, will be useful. Soft skills such as project management and collaborative problem-solving will also be essential as economic projects often involve interdisciplinary teams. For those interested in non-profit administration, understanding public policy, fundraising, and program evaluation will be valuable, as these roles require both economic acumen and the ability to secure and manage resources efficiently.
Tove Rasmussen
LecturerUniversity of Southern Maine
Specialized Sales, Merchandising And Marketing Operations
What general advice would you give to an Associate Analyst?
Tove Rasmussen: Tove Rasmussen advises graduates beginning their career in the field to...
What Associate Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Tove Rasmussen: Tove Rasmussen believes that the skills that will become more important and prevalent in the field in the next 3-5 years are...
What will help Associate Analysts increase their earning potential?
Tove Rasmussen: Tove Rasmussen suggests that to maximize salary potential when starting a career in the field, individuals should...
What general advice would you give to an Associate Analyst?
Timothy Rich PhD: Social science research skills, including research design and quantitative analysis, have broad applications (e.g. local government, think tanks, campaigns, non-profits, business) and students need to be comfortable with data. Writing skills aren't being replaced by ChatGPT, and students need to learn how to write for different audiences and not just for the typical final paper. That means being able to explain complex events or data and synthesize information to someone who has little knowledge about the topic. Students tend to distrust group projects, but learning to work in groups is also a transferable skill and an important one even if working remotely.
What Associate Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Timothy Rich PhD: Think about the types of jobs that interest you and the skills necessary for those jobs early. So many students start thinking about post-graduation life spring their senior year, when it should be an incremental process much earlier. Another pieces of advice would be to talk to faculty and alum about your interests, find internship or research opportunities when possible, and try to figure out early your strengths and weaknesses. It's easy for students, especially high performing ones, to not fully consider what their weaknesses are. I encourage students to jot down what they see as their skills too and to share them with others. It helps them to identify what's a common skill versus something that might make them stick out.
What will help Associate Analysts increase their earning potential?
Timothy Rich PhD: In social science fields, many of the highest paid jobs straight out are government related or data analysis related. Without developing research, writing, and in some cases foreign language skills, this will be a limitation. Depending on the desired job, a graduate degree may be required and students should be maximizing their exposure to graduate-style experiences as undergrads to not only get into prestigious law schools, master's programs, etc., but to take advantage of the internship and research opportunities that first year entrants are rarely equipped to handle.
Professor Shonna Trinch Ph.D.
ProfessorJohn Jay College of Criminal Justice of the City University of New York
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, And Group Studies
What general advice would you give to an Associate Analyst?
Professor Shonna Trinch Ph.D.: Being able to negotiate a salary is also a skill that students need to learn and one that is rarely taught in college. Students need to be able to ask for more than they are offered, but also take jobs at entry levels, prove themselves and then ask for an increase in pay six months into the job after they have shown that they are doing the work and achieving their goals.
What Associate Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Professor Shonna Trinch Ph.D.: Analysis and critical thinking, writing and making strong arguments are indispensable job market skills. Concepts such as 'ethnicity,' 'gender' and 'minority' are constructed in social and historical spaces and times, and students with college degrees can help de-naturalize these categories to make others understand how policy, programming and marketing might not be achieving their stated goals.
What will help Associate Analysts increase their earning potential?
Professor Shonna Trinch Ph.D.: My advice to anyone graduating in any field is to think about the skills they have acquired in college and to represent them well on their resume. If students have been trained in quantitative or qualitative research methods, they should be able to talk cogently about the types of analysis they can do for businesses, policymakers and the like. They should also be open to any field when they are first starting out. Today, businesses are interested in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and because many of these programs are not perfect, well-trained students in Ethnic, Gender And Minority Studies--as well as related fields like Cultural Anthropology-- are well positioned to take entry level jobs and critically analyze programs and implement them in justice-oriented ways.
What general advice would you give to an Associate Analyst?
Stephanie Lain Ph.D.: Look for a unionized job, preferably in a large institution where there is room for job growth. For students trained in linguistics, there are also often opportunities to work in tech, so this might be something to explore.
What Associate Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Stephanie Lain Ph.D.: I would advise graduates to be open to considering jobs in lots of different fields. The skills acquired through their major- such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and writing- are ones that transfer well to a variety of situations.
What will help Associate Analysts increase their earning potential?
Stephanie Lain Ph.D.: The most important skills in my view are flexibility in thinking- the ability to apply knowledge to new situations- and the so-called "soft skills", being able to work with people face-to-face. This is a skill that has somewhat been lost with the advent of Zoom and rise of AI technologies but it is very important in building human connection.
What general advice would you give to an Associate Analyst?
Russ McCullough PhD: Business Economics is a degree that can open many doors for careers. You can feel confident applying to positions that are open to many business degrees because economics gives you a quantitative edge over many other degrees. Therefore, I recommend that you create a vision of the type of job you see yourself at in 10 years and apply to positions now that help you build the skill set to get there. For example, if you are a good communicator, look for some more sales oriented positions. If you are more of a number cruncher, then look for more analyst oriented positions. Smaller companies will likely have more cross-training experiences available while large corporations will likely focus your skills in on a particular area.
What Associate Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Russ McCullough PhD: Critical thinking about data and telling a good story will be valuable skills in the near future as AI continues to evolve. The more you can bring innovative solutions to your company, the more valuable you will become. Chat GPT and other AI solutions will allow you to assemble information quickly, but you will need to fill in the important details that make it unique to a company.
What will help Associate Analysts increase their earning potential?
Russ McCullough PhD: When starting your career, it is important to stay in the minds of your bosses. Attend special events the company is hosting, and practice your relationship skills. Do some research on small talk, hand-shakes, and being comfortable in settings outside of your direct workspace. This is definitely a skill so that you do not come off "weird", make sure to practice it in low-cost settings like church and Walmart. You will then be more comfortable in the parking lot, elevator, or other common space when you have that chance meeting with your boss.
What general advice would you give to an Associate Analyst?
Dr. Paige Novak P.E. (Minnesota), BCEE: Ask questions, stay curious and open minded, take opportunities to learn and develop new skills.
What Associate Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Paige Novak P.E. (Minnesota), BCEE: The so-called 'soft skills' have already become more important and will continue to be important for successfully interacting with clients, the public, and other stakeholders. A familiarity and comfort with AI is also likely to be more and more important in the field.
What will help Associate Analysts increase their earning potential?
Dr. Paige Novak P.E. (Minnesota), BCEE: Get experience on a lot of different projects, say 'yes' to learning and development opportunities, and take the PE when you are able.
What general advice would you give to an Associate Analyst?
Dr. Natalia Boliari PhD: First, learn everything about the company you just started working for - its historical path, management, the way it's dealt with crises, etc. Second, learn everything about the specific industry the company belongs to and see how the company has developed relative to the development of the industry domestically and internationally. Third, always be extremely alert to notice new opportunities and be prepared to take calculated risks. That is, actively look for opportunities to complete as many and diverse tasks as possible, and volunteer to complete any type of work regardless of whether it seems relevant to your assigned job or not. Opportunities to learn, grow, and improve and thus to maximize your income, will only come up if you are exposed to diverse situations.
What Associate Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Natalia Boliari PhD: Be open minded. Finance is the broad definition of an industry which provides opportunities for careers in financial consultancy, financial analysis, stock brokerage, foreign investment, modeling, exchange rate forecasts, and many more. While most of those careers are attributed to the banking industry, you can find those and others in other sectors of the economy, such as insurance, technology, health care/medical, government, and so on. So, be open and look beyond the banking sector, examine the current and predicted trends in the economy to hunt for exciting career options.
Mark Chandler
Director of Government Relations and Professor of PracticeCoastal Carolina University
Intelligence, Command Control And Information Operations
What general advice would you give to an Associate Analyst?
Mark Chandler: Solid analytic and communication skills will never go out of style – it’s our bread and butter in intelligence. Regardless of where you work (Military, Policy, Diplomacy, Law Enforcement, etc…) analysis is analysis. Build a strong analytic foundation. Communication skills are critical. You have to know how to write clearly and concisely and you have to know how to brief an audience or supervisor. By the way, artificial intelligence (AI) is not something that can substitute for analysis or communication. As we move forward with technology, a solid understanding of how to use Open Source information will be critical. In the era of AI and disinformation, analysts must be able to detect mis-information, dis-information and find the true factual sources. Develop solid OSINT research skills. Another area is “cyber”. This area will be with us forever, and we have to understand the challenges the Cyber world presents and how threats/issues can range from simple mis-information to catastrophic cyber attacks. While the cyber world is complex, a solid analytic foundation will help separate the wheat from the chaff.
What Associate Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Mark Chandler: First, focus on being good at your job. Focus on learning your specific assigned area. Get the basics down – analytic skills, communication skills. Build a strong work ethic and professional foundation. If you can find a good mentor, link up with them. Be willing to go the “extra mile” in being a team player and doing things to help others on the team, and put in the hours. In intelligence, you will not always like what policy makers do or say. It’s not our job to agree or disagree with the policy, our job is to study the situation, present the facts and then present a fact-based analytic assessment. Keep opinion, bias, and politics out of our work. This will be a challenge, but it’s one you have to recognize in order to not succumb to it.
What will help Associate Analysts increase their earning potential?
Mark Chandler: If you go into the government, you will be limited to the standard government salary. If you go into the private sector, you will start on a lower pay scale (without experience), but have the potential to exceed the government pay structure a few years into you career. Higher education will provide assistance a few years after graduation (with a BA), but won’t result in significant salary bumps. The more experience you gain, the more marketable you become.