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How to hire an associate/contractor

Associate/contractor hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring associate/contractors in the United States:

  • HR departments typically spend 15% of their expenses on recruitment.
  • It usually takes about 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • It typically takes 36-42 days to fill a job opening.
  • The median cost to hire an associate/contractor is $1,633.
  • Small businesses spend an average of $1,105 per associate/contractor on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • There are currently 4,926 associate/contractors in the US and 29,145 job openings.
  • Boston, MA, has the highest demand for associate/contractors, with 18 job openings.
  • New York, NY has the highest concentration of associate/contractors.

How to hire an associate/contractor, step by step

To hire an associate/contractor, consider the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Follow these steps to hire an associate/contractor:

Here's a step-by-step associate/contractor hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write an associate/contractor job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new associate/contractor
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does an associate/contractor do?

An associate/contractor is responsible for supporting business operations and projects to achieve client satisfaction. Associate/contractors work within a specific duration according to the terms and conditions of the contract, provided that they could offer their highest quality services to enhance the company's performance in the target market. They also help in identifying opportunities that would make the company build more revenue resources and profits for long-term goals and objectives. An associate/contractor must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in conducting data analysis, to strategize efficient business techniques.

Learn more about the specifics of what an associate/contractor does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    The associate/contractor hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    Hiring the perfect associate/contractor also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

    Here's a comparison of associate/contractor salaries for various roles:

    Type of Associate/ContractorDescriptionHourly rate
    Associate/Contractor$17-48
    Business Development InternshipA business development intern is responsible for supporting the organization's goals and objectives in providing the best services to clients and ensuring a smooth flow of operations with maximum productivity and efficiency. Business development interns observe the operational processes of the department and perform duties under the supervision of a direct manager or tenured staff... Show more$12-20
    Business InternshipIn a business internship, the responsibilities will vary by the directives given by the supervising staff. However, one of the primary duties as an intern is to perform support-related tasks for the department or office where they are assigned... Show more$12-21
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Customer Service
    • PowerPoint
    • Contract Administration
    • Data Entry
    • Contract Management
    • Contract Terms
    • Project Management
    • Non-Disclosure Agreements
    • Phone Calls
    • Data Analysis
    • Purchase Orders
    • Customer Satisfaction
    • Management System
    • Strong Work Ethic
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Manage healthcare education program for compliance & issuance of continuing education units and take lead role in delivering various educational topics.
    • Post and maintain contract files on SharePoint and other databases.
    • Schedule demos for end users to showcase SharePoint & O365 features.
    • Design the approach to acquiring labor contract services and facilitate the RFP process for software acquisitions and certain finance projects.
    • Supply RFP database manager with timely updates throughout completion process, offering rationale when necessary.
    • Specialize in personal computer repair, virus removal, and equipment upgrade of desktop and laptop computers utilizing Microsoft operating systems.
    More associate/contractor duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your associate/contractor job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. An associate/contractor can vary based on:

    • Location. For example, associate/contractors' average salary in vermont is 54% less than in california.
    • Seniority. Entry-level associate/contractors 63% less than senior-level associate/contractors.
    • Certifications. An associate/contractor with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in an associate/contractor's salary.

    Average associate/contractor salary

    $61,839yearly

    $29.73 hourly rate

    Entry-level associate/contractor salary
    $37,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 20, 2025

    Average associate/contractor salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1California$79,483$38
    2Maryland$74,187$36
    3New York$72,923$35
    4Virginia$68,052$33
    5District of Columbia$67,745$33
    6Nevada$66,942$32
    7Michigan$65,758$32
    8Ohio$62,513$30
    9Kansas$60,796$29
    10Texas$59,877$29
    11Illinois$59,762$29
    12North Carolina$59,097$28
    13Pennsylvania$58,745$28
    14Connecticut$58,566$28
    15Hawaii$57,750$28
    16Georgia$56,070$27
    17Colorado$55,169$27
    18South Carolina$53,035$26
    19Oregon$52,196$25
    20Massachusetts$49,984$24

    Average associate/contractor salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Google$119,904$57.6537
    2Amazon$119,902$57.6548
    3Aya Healthcare$118,669$57.05
    4Qualcomm$112,445$54.062
    5DLA Piper$111,022$53.3813
    6Genentech$108,261$52.05
    7SAIC$106,884$51.399
    8McCarter & English$102,576$49.32
    9Amgen$101,233$48.6711
    10Pwc$99,857$48.0139
    11Morgan Stanley$97,562$46.9015
    12Stanford Health Care$96,993$46.637
    13X Technologies$94,740$45.55
    14BDO USA$93,561$44.984
    15Tufts Health Plan$92,514$44.48
    16Guidehouse$91,185$43.844
    17BlackRock$91,066$43.784
    18First Republic Bank$90,872$43.69
    19Taylor Morrison$90,439$43.48
    20Datadog$90,169$43.356
  4. Writing an associate/contractor job description

    An associate/contractor job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of an associate/contractor job description:

    Associate/contractor job description example

    - Update the company's Contracts Database when a contract is negotiated and signed: (1) abstracting relevant terms from contracts to provide key point information; (2) entering of data; (3) arranging notifications of expiration dates of agreements.

    - Assist in the analysis of other contractual documents such as a non-disclosure agreement.

    - Perform other functions as assigned by the Contract Manager as needed.

    - Respond to change productively and handle other duties as required.

    - Follow all company safety policies and procedures.

    EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

    - Associate's degree or Bachelor's degree (BA) from four-year college in related discipline.

    - Two to four years contracts management and negotiation experience in the legal, procurement, or sales field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

    - Knowledge of commercial contracting principles and general corporate business practices.

    KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

    - Effective organizational and communication skills.

    - Ability to prioritize workloads, to work independently and as a member of a team.

    - Attention to detail. Strong analytical skills, critical thinker.

    - Demonstrated proficiency using Microsoft Office products.

    - Ability to read, speak, and write in English required.

    - Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from senior level managers, clients and customers.

    WORKING CONDITIONS

    The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

    PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

    The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

    While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to manipulate computer input devices, finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must have sufficient mobility to enable travel to industrial sites, offices, and facilities. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

    Disclaimer: The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.


    Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
    The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)
  5. Post your job

    There are a few common ways to find associate/contractors for your business:

    • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your associate/contractor job on Zippia to find and recruit associate/contractor candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    During your first interview to recruit associate/contractors, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

    Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new associate/contractor

    Once you have selected a candidate for the associate/contractor position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

    It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new associate/contractor. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire an associate/contractor?

Recruiting associate/contractors involves both the one-time costs of hiring and the ongoing costs of adding a new employee to your team. Your spending during the hiring process will mostly be on things like promoting the job on job boards, reviewing and interviewing candidates, and onboarding the new hire. Ongoing costs will obviously involve the employee's salary, but also may include things like benefits.

You can expect to pay around $61,839 per year for an associate/contractor, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for associate/contractors in the US typically range between $17 and $48 an hour.

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