Research Summary. Using a database of 30 million profiles, Zippia estimates demographics and statistics for associates in the United States. Our estimates are verified against BLS, Census, and current job openings data for accuracy. After extensive research and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:

  • 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 age of an employed associate 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 2021, women 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.

Associate Statistics By Gender

49.6% of associates are women and 50.4% of associates are men.

  • Male, 50.4%
  • Female, 49.6%

Associates By Gender

GenderPercentages
Male50.4%
Female49.6%

Gender Pay Gap For Associate

Women Earn 89ยข For Every $1 Earned By Men

male-income
Male Income
$76,535
female-income
Female Income
$68,219

Associate Gender Over Time

This data shows how men and women predominate in the associate position over time.

Male
Female
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021

Associate Gender By Year

YearMaleFemale
201047.16%52.84%
201146.83%53.17%
201247.55%52.45%
201347.56%52.44%
201446.62%53.38%
201547.52%52.48%
201648.12%51.88%
201748.44%51.56%
201848.99%51.01%
201948.10%51.90%
202049.53%50.47%
202150.36%49.64%

Associate Male to Female Ratio

We compared this job title with other job titles to see how gender percentages varied. As you can see, parts counterman and lumber associate have the biggest difference in gender.

Job TitleMaleFemale
BRA Specialist6%94%
Clinique Consultant6%94%
Beauty Consultant6%94%
Associate50%50%
Cart Associate94%6%
Lumber Associate95%5%
Parts Counterman96%4%

Associate Statistics By Race

The most common ethnicity among associates is White, which makes up 57.0% of all associates. Comparatively, there are 18.3% of the Hispanic or Latino ethnicity and 10.5% of the Black or African American ethnicity.

  • 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 RacePercentages
White57.0%
Hispanic or Latino18.3%
Black or African American10.5%
Asian8.3%
Unknown5.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native0.6%

Associate Race And Ethnicity Over Time

Using the Census Bureau data, we found out how the percentage of each ethnic category trended between 2010-2019 among associates.

  • White
  • Asian
  • Hispanic or Latino
  • Black or African American

Associate Race By Year

YearWhiteBlack or African AmericanAsianHispanic or Latino
201065.25%10.88%7.01%13.92%
201163.48%11.90%7.18%14.60%
201263.19%11.41%7.33%15.06%
201362.20%11.92%7.38%15.40%
201462.16%11.53%7.82%15.50%
201561.61%11.57%7.59%16.14%
201661.42%11.24%7.58%16.44%
201760.94%10.80%8.01%16.76%
201861.04%10.56%7.69%17.27%
201961.02%10.51%7.76%17.15%
202058.51%10.51%8.13%17.54%
202157.02%10.48%8.29%18.34%

Associate Wage Gap By Race

White associates have the highest average salary compared to other ethnicities. Unknown associates have the lowest average salary at $74,252.
$80,000
$79,000
$78,000
$77,000
$76,000
$75,000
$74,000
Unknown
White
Black or African American
Asian
Hispanic or Latino
EthnicitySalary
Unknown$74,252
White$78,681
Black or African American$74,623
Asian$77,618
Hispanic or Latino$77,603

Average Age of an Associate

We determined the average age of associates based on ethnicity and gender.

Male
Female

Associate Age By Race

RaceMale AgeFemale Age
Black or African American32.538
Unknown3731.5
Asian4047
Hispanic or Latino3031
White4343
American Indian and Alaska Native36.539

Associate Age Breakdown

This chart breaks down the ages of associate employees. Interestingly enough, the average age of associates is 40+ years old, which represents 49% of the population.

40+ years

30-40 years

20-30 years


Associate Age

Associate YearsPercentages
40+ years49%
30-40 years18%
20-30 years28%

Types of Associate Degree Levels

The most common degree for associates is bachelor's degree 46% of associates earn that degree. A close second is high school diploma with 20% and rounding it off is associate degree with 14%.

  • Bachelors, 46%
  • High School Diploma, 20%
  • Associate, 14%
  • Masters, 7%
  • Other Degrees, 13%

Associates By Education

Associate DegreePercentages
Bachelors46%
High School Diploma20%
Associate14%
Masters7%
Other Degrees13%

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Associate Wage Gap By Education

Associates with a Masters degree earn more than those without, at $90,217 annually. With a Bachelors degree, associates earn a median annual income of $88,522 compared to $72,019 for associates with an Associate degree.
$93,000
$88,000
$83,000
$78,000
$73,000
$68,000
$63,000
High School Diploma or Less
Master's Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Some College/ Associate Degree
EducationSalary
High School Diploma or Less$67,999
Master's Degree$90,217
Bachelor's Degree$88,522
Some College/ Associate Degree$72,019

Associate Employment Statistics

This section highlights information about where associates work. We found most associates work for a private company. In addition, the industry that employs the most associates is the retail industry.

Company Size

We created this chart to show you the average size of companies that typically hire associates.

< 50 employees

50 - 100 employees

100 - 500 employees

500 - 1,000 employees

1,000 - 10,000 employees

> 10,000

Associate Jobs By Employer Size

Company SizePercentages
< 50 employees4%
50 - 100 employees4%
100 - 500 employees7%
500 - 1,000 employees8%
1,000 - 10,000 employees36%
> 10,000 employees42%

The Types Of Companies Associate Work In

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.

Education

Public

Private

Associate Jobs By Sector

Company TypePercentages
Education2%
Public39%
Private59%

Top Industries Hiring Associates

Just based on the number of employees within each industry, we were able to determine the most common industries that employ associates. Those industries include retail, professional and finance.

Retail

Professional

Fortune 500

Finance

Hospitality

Associate Turnover And Employment Statistics

Associate Unemployment Rate Over Time

The Bureau of Labor Statistics came in clutch when it came down to figuring out how the unemployment rate has changed over time. Between 2008 and 2018, this is how the number of associates changed.

  • Unemployment rate

Associate Unemployment Rate By Year

YearAssociate Unemployment Rate
201011.74%
201110.94%
20129.82%
20138.89%
20147.55%
20157.02%
20166.27%
20176.04%
20185.79%
20195.48%
20208.30%
20218.88%

The Average Number of Years That Associate Stay in a Job

By looking over 283,307 associates resumes, we figured out that the average associate enjoys staying at their job for Less than 1 year for a percentage of 35%.

Less than one year

1-2 years

3-4 years

5-7 years

8-10 years

11+ years

Associate Tenure

Number or YearsPercentages
Less than 1 year35%
1-2 years32%
3-4 years12%
5-7 years13%
8-10 years4%
11+ years4%

Comparing The LGBT Ratio of Associates with Other Job Titles

After finding the gender ratio, we wondered if the percentages of LGBT persons were different as well. Using the data below, you can see how other job titles compare to associates.

Job TitleLGBTJob Openings
Counter Sales Person3.66%195,197
Parts Driver3.76%146,082
Head Cashier5.05%284,733
Associate7.10%-

Associate LGBT Demographics

ProfessionPercentages of LGBT Job Openings
Counter Sales Person3.66%195,197
Parts Driver3.76%146,082
Head Cashier5.05%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 LanguagePercentages
Spanish53.2%
French11.1%
Chinese4.2%
Mandarin4.1%
German4.1%
Other23.3%

Associate Jobs

Associate Heatmaps

Where Do Associates Earn The Most?

Associates earn the most in New York, where the average associate salary is $89,570. The map here shows where associates earn the highest salaries in the U.S. The darker areas across the 50 states highlight the highest salaries.

Average Salary

Which State Has The Most Associates?

By looking through more than 283,307 resumes, we found that the most popular places for associates are New York, NY and Chicago, IL.

Number of Associates

Number Of Associate Jobs By State

Where Are Associates In High Demand?

Associates are in high demand in New York, NY. There are currently 669 job openings for associates here. We looked over job openings to determine where in the country associates are in the most demand.

Jobs Openings

Associate Demographics FAQs

What Percentage Of Associates Are Female?

50.6% of associates are female in the United States. This is 0.9 percentage points higher than last year. Additionally, the percentage of female associates has decreased by -0.9 percentage points since 2010. That means there are a total of 228,837 female associates in the U.S. and 223,411 male associates in the United States. Note that Zippia's estimate accounts only for the 452,248 people with the specific job title of associate and doesn't include grouping similar job titles, or people with potentially similar credentialing.

How Many Associate Are There In The Us?

There are over 386,844 Associates in the United States.

What Percentage Of Associates Are Black?

10.5% of Associates are Black or African American

What Race Are Most Associates?

Most an are White, with 57.0% of Associates belonging to this ethnicity. 18.3% of Associates are Hispanic or Latino, 10.5% of Associates are Black or African American, 8.3% of Associates are Asian, 5.3% of Associates are Unknown, and 0.6% of Associates are American Indian and Alaska Native

Are Associate Jobs Male - Dominated?

Yes, Associate jobs are male - dominated. 50% of Associates are male, and 49% are female, so there are more male Associates than female Associates in the United States.

How Old Is The Average Associate?

The average Associate is 41 years old. 49% of Associates are 40+ years old or older, 18% are between the ages of 30-40 years, and 28% are between 20-30 years old

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