Associate demographics and statistics in the US
Associate demographics research summary. Zippia estimates associate demographics and statistics in the United States by using a database of 30 million profiles. Our associate estimates are verified against BLS, Census, and current job openings data for accuracy. Zippia's data science team found the following key facts about associates after extensive research and analysis:
- There are over 386,844 associates currently employed in the United States.
- 49.6% of all associates are women, while 50.4% are men.
- The average associate age is 40 years old.
- The most common ethnicity of associates is White (57.0%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (18.3%), Black or African American (10.5%) and Asian (8.3%).
- Associates are most in-demand in New York, NY.
- Washington, DC pays an annual average wage of $93,302, the highest in the US.
- In 2022, women associates earned 89% of what men earned.
- New York is the best state for associates to live.
- Associates are 59% more likely to work at private companies in comparison to public companies.
On this page
Associate demographics by:
Associate gender statistics
49.6% of associates are women and 50.4% of associates are men.
- Male, 50.4%
- Female, 49.6%
Associate gender ratio
| Gender | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Male | 50.4% |
| Female | 49.6% |
Associate gender pay gap
Women earn 89¢ for every $1 earned by men
Male income
$76,535
Female income
$68,219
Associate gender ratio over time
This data breaks down the percentage of men and women in associate positions over time. Currently, 49.6% of associates are female.
Associate gender ratio by year
| Year | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 47.16% | 52.84% |
| 2011 | 46.83% | 53.17% |
| 2012 | 47.55% | 52.45% |
| 2013 | 47.56% | 52.44% |
| 2014 | 46.62% | 53.38% |
| 2015 | 47.52% | 52.48% |
| 2016 | 48.12% | 51.88% |
| 2017 | 48.44% | 51.56% |
| 2018 | 48.99% | 51.01% |
| 2019 | 48.10% | 51.90% |
| 2020 | 49.53% | 50.47% |
| 2021 | 50.36% | 49.64% |
Associate related jobs gender ratio
We compared associates with similar job titles to see how gender ratios vary. As you can see, parts counterman and lumber associate have the biggest gender ratio gaps.
| Job title | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| BRA Specialist | 6% | 94% |
| Clinique Consultant | 6% | 94% |
| Beauty Consultant | 6% | 94% |
| Associate | 50% | 50% |
| Cart Associate | 94% | 6% |
| Lumber Associate | 95% | 5% |
| Parts Counterman | 96% | 4% |
Male
Female
100%
75%
50%
25%
0%
0%
25%
50%
75%
100%
Associate demographics by race
The most common ethnicity among associates is White, which makes up 57.0% of all associates. Comparatively, 18.3% of associates are Hispanic or Latino and 10.5% of associates are Black or African American.
- White, 57.0%
- Hispanic or Latino, 18.3%
- Black or African American, 10.5%
- Asian, 8.3%
- Unknown, 5.3%
- American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
Associate race
| Associate race | Percentages |
|---|---|
| White | 57.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 18.3% |
| Black or African American | 10.5% |
| Asian | 8.3% |
| Unknown | 5.3% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 0.6% |
Associate race and ethnicity over time
See how associate racial and ethnic diversity trended since 2010 according to the United States Census Bureau data.
Associate race and ethnicity by year
| Year | White | Black or African American | Asian | Hispanic or Latino |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 65.25% | 10.88% | 7.01% | 13.92% |
| 2011 | 63.48% | 11.90% | 7.18% | 14.60% |
| 2012 | 63.19% | 11.41% | 7.33% | 15.06% |
| 2013 | 62.20% | 11.92% | 7.38% | 15.40% |
| 2014 | 62.16% | 11.53% | 7.82% | 15.50% |
| 2015 | 61.61% | 11.57% | 7.59% | 16.14% |
| 2016 | 61.42% | 11.24% | 7.58% | 16.44% |
| 2017 | 60.94% | 10.80% | 8.01% | 16.76% |
| 2018 | 61.04% | 10.56% | 7.69% | 17.27% |
| 2019 | 61.02% | 10.51% | 7.76% | 17.15% |
| 2020 | 58.51% | 10.51% | 8.13% | 17.54% |
| 2021 | 57.02% | 10.48% | 8.29% | 18.34% |
Associate wage gap by race
According to our data, white associates have the highest average salary compared to other ethnicities. Unknown associates have the lowest average salary at $74,252.
| Ethnicity | Salary |
|---|---|
| Unknown | $74,252 |
| White | $78,681 |
| Black or African American | $74,623 |
| Asian | $77,618 |
| Hispanic or Latino | $77,603 |
Average associate age
See how the average age of associates varies based on ethnicity and gender.
Male
Female
Associate age by race and gender
| Race | Male age | Female age |
|---|---|---|
| Black or African American | 32.5 | 38 |
| Unknown | 37 | 31.5 |
| Asian | 40 | 47 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 30 | 31 |
| White | 43 | 43 |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 36.5 | 39 |
Associate age breakdown
The average age of associates is 40+ years years old, representing 49% of the associate population.
Associate age breakdown
| Associate Years | Percentages |
|---|---|
| 40+ years | 49% |
| 30-40 years | 18% |
| 20-30 years | 28% |
Associate educational attainment
The most common degree for associates is bachelor's degree, with 46% of associates earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are high school diploma degree at 20% and high school diploma degree at 14%.
- Bachelor's, 46%
- High School Diploma, 20%
- Associate, 14%
- Master's, 7%
- Other Degrees, 13%
Associates by degree level
| Associate degree | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's | 46% |
| High School Diploma | 20% |
| Associate | 14% |
| Master's | 7% |
| Other Degrees | 13% |
Associate jobs you might like
Associate wage gap by degree level
According to the data, associates with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $90,217 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, associates earn a median annual income of $88,522 compared to $72,019 for associates with an Associate degree.
| Education | Salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $90,217 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $67,999 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $88,522 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $72,019 |
Associate employment statistics
Most associates work for a private in the retail industry.
Company size where associates work
Below, you can see the size of companies where associates work.
Associate jobs by employer size
| Company size | Percentages |
|---|---|
| < 50 employees | 4% |
| 50 - 100 employees | 4% |
| 100 - 500 employees | 7% |
| 500 - 1,000 employees | 8% |
| 1,000 - 10,000 employees | 36% |
| > 10,000 employees | 42% |
Associate jobs by company type
Employees with the associate job title have their preferences when it comes to working for a company. For instance, most associates prefer to work at private companies over public companies.
Associate jobs by sector
| Company type | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Education | 2% |
| Public | 39% |
| Private | 59% |
Associate jobs by industry
The most common industries for associates are retail, professional and finance.
Associate industry statistics
| Industry | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Retail | 28% |
| Professional | 24% |
| Fortune 500 | 14% |
| Finance | 9% |
| Hospitality | 6% |
| Technology | 4% |
| Health Care | 3% |
| Manufacturing | 2% |
| Media | 1% |
| Transportation | 1% |
| Automotive | 1% |
| Telecommunication | 1% |
| Start-up | 1% |
| Non Profits | 1% |
| Insurance | 1% |
| Real Estate | 1% |
| Education | 1% |
Associate turnover and employment statistics
Associate unemployment rate over time
The unemployment rate for associates between 2008 and the most recent data has varied, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Associate unemployment rate by year
| Year | Associate unemployment rate |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 11.74% |
| 2011 | 10.94% |
| 2012 | 9.82% |
| 2013 | 8.89% |
| 2014 | 7.55% |
| 2015 | 7.02% |
| 2016 | 6.27% |
| 2017 | 6.04% |
| 2018 | 5.79% |
| 2019 | 5.48% |
| 2020 | 8.30% |
| 2021 | 8.88% |
Average associate tenure
The average associate stays at their job for 1-2 years, based on the 283,307 associates resumes in Zippia's database.
Associate tenure statistics
| Number of years | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | 35% |
| 1-2 years | 32% |
| 3-4 years | 12% |
| 5-7 years | 13% |
| 8-10 years | 4% |
| 11+ years | 4% |
Associate LGBT ratio compared to similar jobs
Review the percent of associates that are members of the LGBT community. You can see how this compares to similar jobs in the chart below.
| Job title | LGBT | Job openings |
|---|---|---|
| Counter Sales Person | 3.66% | 195,197 |
| Parts Driver | 3.76% | 146,082 |
| Head Cashier | 5.05% | 284,733 |
| Associate | 7.10% | - |
Similar associate jobs LGBT demographics
| Profession | Percentages of LGBT | Job openings |
|---|---|---|
| Counter Sales Person | 3.66% | 195,197 |
| Parts Driver | 3.76% | 146,082 |
| Head Cashier | 5.05% | 284,733 |
Foreign languages spoken by associates
The most common foreign language among associates is Spanish at 53.2%. The second-most popular foreign language spoken is French at 11.1% and Chinese is the third-most popular at 4.2%.
- Spanish, 53.2%
- French, 11.1%
- Chinese, 4.2%
- Mandarin, 4.1%
- German, 4.1%
- Other, 23.3%
Associate languages spoken
| Foreign language | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Spanish | 53.2% |
| French | 11.1% |
| Chinese | 4.2% |
| Mandarin | 4.1% |
| German | 4.1% |
| Other | 23.3% |
