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The differences between associate attorneys and summer associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an associate attorney, becoming a summer associate takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, an associate attorney has an average salary of $110,053, which is higher than the $42,349 average annual salary of a summer associate.
The top three skills for an associate attorney include litigation, law firm and discovery responses. The most important skills for a summer associate are powerpoint, litigation, and financial models.
| Associate Attorney | Summer Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $110,053 | $42,349 |
| Hourly rate | $52.91 | $20.36 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 14% |
| Number of jobs | 9,183 | 7,546 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Doctoral Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 12 |
An associate attorney's role is to provide legal counseling to an individual or business entity, resolve legal disputes through crafting agreements and negotiating contract terms, and serving as an advisor or advocate. Most associate attorneys work at law firms or government agencies, supervised by more experienced personnel. Among the duties of an associate attorney includes conducting extensive research on every case, presenting factual evidence and statements, producing the legal and necessary documentation, and representing clients in formal settings.
Summer associates are law students hired seasonally by law firms. The aim is for future lawyers to be exposed to the practical aspects of a firm. Typically, this program lasts for nine weeks, beginning in May and running through July. Summer associates are expected to be friendly and kind to people, preserve company reputation, support other associates, and perform legal tasks appropriately.
Associate attorneys and summer associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Associate Attorney | Summer Associate | |
| Average salary | $110,053 | $42,349 |
| Salary range | Between $70,000 And $170,000 | Between $22,000 And $81,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | California | New York |
| Best paying company | Schiff Hardin | Crowell & Moring |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Professional |
There are a few differences between an associate attorney and a summer associate in terms of educational background:
| Associate Attorney | Summer Associate | |
| Most common degree | Doctoral Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Law | Law |
| Most common college | Stanford University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between associate attorneys' and summer associates' demographics:
| Associate Attorney | Summer Associate | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 57.1% Female, 42.9% | Male, 57.0% Female, 43.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.5% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 6.3% White, 75.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 6.0% White, 63.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 9% |