Best cities for an associate
The best cities for associates are New York, NY, Islip, NY, and San Francisco, CA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for associates vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for associates in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as an associate or considering a move, this list of the best cities for associates to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for associates. We also consider how easy it is to find work as an associate. While the absolute best city for associates is New York, NY, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for associates in 2024.
If you're looking for an associate job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for associates in 2026
1. New York, NY
Associate jobs in New YorkTotal associate jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $90,902 Lowest 10 percent warn: $46,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $179,000 Location quotient: 13.78 2. Islip, NY
Associate jobs in IslipTotal associate jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $91,254 Lowest 10 percent warn: $46,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $179,000 Location quotient: 3.40 3. San Francisco, CA
Associate jobs in San FranciscoTotal associate jobs: 189 Average annual salary: $82,066 Lowest 10 percent warn: $39,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $169,000 Location quotient: 4.70 4. Washington, DC
Associate jobs in WashingtonTotal associate jobs: 223 Average annual salary: $93,302 Lowest 10 percent warn: $45,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $189,000 Location quotient: 3.70 5. Boston, MA
Associate jobs in BostonTotal associate jobs: 19 Average annual salary: $73,450 Lowest 10 percent warn: $37,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $145,000 Location quotient: 4.33 6. Los Angeles, CA
Associate jobs in Los AngelesTotal associate jobs: 37 Average annual salary: $78,979 Lowest 10 percent warn: $39,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $159,000 Location quotient: 2.63 7. Jersey City, NJ
Associate jobs in Jersey CityTotal associate jobs: 159 Average annual salary: $69,759 Lowest 10 percent warn: $35,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $137,000 Location quotient: 7.49 8. Oakland, CA
Associate jobs in OaklandTotal associate jobs: 83 Average annual salary: $81,851 Lowest 10 percent warn: $39,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $169,000 Location quotient: 1.49 9. Philadelphia, PA
Associate jobs in PhiladelphiaTotal associate jobs: 136 Average annual salary: $58,711 Lowest 10 percent warn: $29,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $115,000 Location quotient: 2.29 10. Buffalo, NY
Associate jobs in BuffaloTotal associate jobs: 76 Average annual salary: $82,172 Lowest 10 percent warn: $40,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $166,000 Location quotient: 1.27
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Best cities for associates
- New York, NY
- Islip, NY
- San Francisco, CA
- Washington, DC
- Boston, MA
- Los Angeles, CA
- Jersey City, NJ
- Oakland, CA
- Philadelphia, PA
- Buffalo, NY
Detailed list of the best cities for an associate
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $90,902 | $46,000 | 8,537,673 | - |
| 2 | Islip, NY | $91,254 | $46,000 | 335,543 | 1 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $82,066 | $39,000 | 870,887 | 189 |
| 4 | Washington, DC | $93,302 | $45,000 | 681,170 | 223 |
| 5 | Boston, MA | $73,450 | $37,000 | 673,184 | 19 |
| 6 | Los Angeles, CA | $78,979 | $39,000 | 3,976,322 | 37 |
| 7 | Jersey City, NJ | $69,759 | $35,000 | 264,152 | 159 |
| 8 | Oakland, CA | $81,851 | $39,000 | 420,005 | 83 |
| 9 | Philadelphia, PA | $58,711 | $29,000 | 1,567,872 | 136 |
| 10 | Buffalo, NY | $82,172 | $40,000 | 256,902 | 76 |
| 11 | Glendale, AZ | $56,222 | $27,000 | 245,895 | 25 |
| 12 | Cleveland, OH | $52,512 | $25,000 | 385,809 | 194 |
| 13 | Reno, NV | $57,525 | $27,000 | 245,255 | 56 |
| 14 | Detroit, MI | $52,287 | $24,000 | 672,795 | 245 |
| 15 | Sacramento, CA | $79,509 | $38,000 | 495,234 | 130 |
| 16 | Newark, NJ | $69,676 | $35,000 | 281,764 | 112 |
| 17 | Santa Ana, CA | $78,287 | $38,000 | 334,217 | 32 |
| 18 | Irvine, CA | $78,145 | $38,000 | 266,122 | 173 |
| 19 | Bakersfield, CA | $79,947 | $39,000 | 376,380 | 26 |
| 20 | San Jose, CA | $82,146 | $39,000 | 1,025,350 | 102 |
| 21 | Las Vegas, NV | $57,702 | $27,000 | 632,912 | 129 |
| 22 | Pittsburgh, PA | $52,936 | $25,000 | 303,625 | 208 |
| 23 | Chicago, IL | $48,425 | $22,000 | 2,704,958 | 75 |
| 24 | Houston, TX | $50,502 | $25,000 | 2,303,482 | 126 |
| 25 | Columbus, OH | $47,520 | $22,000 | 860,090 | 142 |
| 26 | Dallas, TX | $45,174 | $22,000 | 1,317,929 | 210 |
| 27 | Baltimore, MD | $58,397 | $29,000 | 614,664 | 106 |
| 28 | Fort Wayne, IN | $46,583 | $21,000 | 264,488 | 59 |
| 29 | Miami, FL | $48,779 | $24,000 | 453,579 | 142 |
| 30 | Albuquerque, NM | $48,538 | $24,000 | 559,277 | 131 |
| 31 | Chula Vista, CA | $76,936 | $38,000 | 267,172 | 7 |
| 32 | Toledo, OH | $49,175 | $23,000 | 278,508 | 31 |
| 33 | Fresno, CA | $80,520 | $38,000 | 522,053 | 24 |
| 34 | Stockton, CA | $80,497 | $38,000 | 307,072 | 15 |
| 35 | North Las Vegas, NV | $57,401 | $27,000 | 238,702 | 5 |
| 36 | Seattle, WA | $53,411 | $27,000 | 704,352 | 98 |
| 37 | San Diego, CA | $77,081 | $38,000 | 1,406,630 | 9 |
| 38 | Virginia Beach, VA | $57,113 | $27,000 | 452,602 | 37 |
| 39 | Phoenix, AZ | $56,108 | $27,000 | 1,615,017 | 24 |
| 40 | Garland, TX | $44,633 | $22,000 | 234,943 | 20 |
| 41 | Hempstead, NY | $91,156 | $46,000 | 759,757 | 1 |
| 42 | Charlotte, NC | $45,033 | $22,000 | 842,051 | 234 |
| 43 | Tulsa, OK | $39,616 | $20,000 | 403,090 | 204 |
| 44 | Fort Worth, TX | $45,704 | $23,000 | 854,113 | 127 |
| 45 | Henderson, NV | $57,545 | $27,000 | 292,969 | 11 |
| 46 | Fremont, CA | $81,931 | $39,000 | 233,136 | 58 |
| 47 | Long Beach, CA | $78,645 | $39,000 | 470,130 | 21 |
| 48 | Riverside, CA | $77,779 | $38,000 | 324,722 | 21 |
| 49 | Chesapeake, VA | $56,365 | $27,000 | 237,940 | 13 |
| 50 | Scottsdale, AZ | $55,830 | $27,000 | 246,645 | 42 |
Highest paying cities for associates
| Rank | City | Avg. associate salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $93,302 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $90,902 |
| 3 | Menlo Park, CA | $82,294 |
| 4 | Greenwich, CT | $75,612 |
| 5 | Boston, MA | $73,450 |
| 6 | Jersey City, NJ | $69,759 |
| 7 | Wilmington, DE | $63,988 |
| 8 | McLean, VA | $59,042 |
| 9 | Philadelphia, PA | $58,711 |
| 10 | Baltimore, MD | $58,397 |
| 11 | Phoenix, AZ | $56,108 |
| 12 | Seattle, WA | $53,411 |
| 13 | Portland, ME | $53,231 |
| 14 | Jacksonville, NC | $52,847 |
| 15 | Portland, OR | $52,695 |
| 16 | Cleveland, OH | $52,512 |
| 17 | Detroit, MI | $52,287 |
| 18 | Austin, TX | $51,079 |
| 19 | Miami, FL | $48,779 |
| 20 | Chicago, IL | $48,425 |
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Updated January 8, 2025