Explore Jobs
Find Specific Jobs
Explore Careers
Explore Professions
Best Companies
Explore Companies
Job outlook for associates in the United States
Associate job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected associate job growth rate is 0% from 2018-2028.
About 1,900 new jobs for associates are projected over the next decade.
Associate salaries have increased 19% for associates in the last 5 years.
There are over 386,844 associates currently employed in the United States.
There are 569,041 active associate job openings in the US.
The average associate salary is $69,556.
Are associate jobs in demand?
Associate job and salary trends over time
Associate jobs over time
Associate job growth rate over time
| Year | # Of Jobs | % Of Population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 386,844 | 0.11% |
| 2020 | 383,302 | 0.11% |
| 2019 | 452,248 | 0.14% |
| 2018 | 465,882 | 0.14% |
| 2017 | 465,251 | 0.14% |
Average associate salary over time
Associate salary by year
| Year | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $69,556 | $33.44 | +7.2% |
| 2024 | $64,856 | $31.18 | +4.3% |
| 2023 | $62,159 | $29.88 | +4.3% |
| 2022 | $59,616 | $28.66 | +2.3% |
| 2021 | $58,255 | $28.01 | +4.1% |
Associate jobs by state
Most common states for associates
| Rank | State | Population | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 1,408 | 203% |
| 2 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 2,258 | 168% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 10,945 | 160% |
| 4 | Delaware | 961,939 | 1,504 | 156% |
| 5 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 1,746 | 131% |
| 6 | Vermont | 623,657 | 785 | 126% |
| 7 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 11,003 | 122% |
| 8 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 9,725 | 115% |
| 9 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 4,075 | 114% |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 14,508 | 113% |
| 11 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 11,435 | 111% |
| 12 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 7,355 | 110% |
| 13 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 1,138 | 107% |
| 14 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 13,436 | 105% |
| 15 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 1,899 | 105% |
| 16 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 6,238 | 103% |
| 17 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 771 | 102% |
| 18 | Tennessee | 6,715,984 | 6,694 | 100% |
| 19 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 5,034 | 100% |
| 20 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 5,500 | 98% |
Most common cities for associates
| Rank | City | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nacogdoches | 17 | 50% | $46,459 |
| 2 | Annapolis | 18 | 46% | $58,162 |
| 3 | Midland | 18 | 43% | $50,468 |
| 4 | Boston | 76 | 11% | $73,450 |
| 5 | Miami | 43 | 9% | $48,779 |
| 6 | Des Moines | 19 | 9% | $41,328 |
| 7 | Baltimore | 47 | 8% | $58,397 |
| 8 | Atlanta | 36 | 8% | $37,980 |
| 9 | Washington | 48 | 7% | $93,302 |
| 10 | Detroit | 39 | 6% | $52,287 |
| 11 | Denver | 33 | 5% | $45,441 |
| 12 | Tampa | 20 | 5% | $46,350 |
| 13 | San Francisco | 33 | 4% | $82,066 |
| 14 | Indianapolis | 31 | 4% | $42,071 |
| 15 | Sacramento | 19 | 4% | $79,509 |
| 16 | Chicago | 65 | 2% | $48,425 |
| 17 | Phoenix | 37 | 2% | $56,108 |
| 18 | San Diego | 25 | 2% | $77,081 |
| 19 | New York | 63 | 1% | $90,902 |
| 20 | Los Angeles | 44 | 1% | $78,979 |
Associate job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of associate experts
San Diego Mesa College
Fashion Institute of Technology
York College of Pennsylvania
What will help Associates increase their earning potential?
Ms. Debbie Snyder: New lawyers are primarily responsible for research and writing. If working in a law firm setting, new lawyers are known as associates and conduct legal research, draft legal documents such as motions, briefs, memos or contracts and collaborate with partners and/or senior associates to assist clients with their legal needs. Associates may help in preparing cases for trial by reviewing and analyzing documents, organizing evidence, and attending hearings and depositions. New attorneys working in-house (i.e. for a corporation) will assist the company with their legal needs, whether it involves litigation or transactional work. Assistant District Attorneys represent the government in prosecuting criminal cases. This work involves legal research and writing, evaluating cases and evidence and appearing in court. Public Defenders represent individuals who cannot afford to hire an attorney. They also perform legal research and writing, as well as counsel their clients and represent them in the courtroom.
Meegan Feori Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorSan Diego Mesa College
Department is Business Department
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Associate job market given the pandemic?
Meegan Feori Ph.D.: According to Business of Fashion and McKinsey & Company (2020), the pandemic is accelerating the pre-existing trends of digital shopping and consumer support of social justice. This will impact the skills necessary to complete existing jobs; it may also introduce new job functions within the fashion industry. People will need to “learn, unlearn, and relearn” skills (Toffler; 1970, p. 414). At a foundational skill level, problem-solving, statistics, emotional intelligence, and collaboration are paramount. The fashion industry has a track record of adopting emerging technologies and anticipating cultural shifts. Therefore, I recommend making an effort to involve yourself with artificial intelligence, virtual reality, 3D prototyping, or other emerging technology. Also, being knowledgeable of sustainability, inclusivity, and ethical business practices will serve you well.
What Associate skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Meegan Feori Ph.D.: My recommendation is to combine your interests and career goals. For example, if you are an avid rock climber, you could apply for an internship with the North Face or start a retail position at an REI near Red Rock, Nevada, a place known for excellent rock climbing. If relocating for your gap year is not possible, then seek out a local option such as working at the nearby climbing gym. Customers are crucial to the fashion industry, enhancing your customer service skills during your gap year will benefit you. You could apply to be a Stitch Fix stylist, a boutique, or a non-profit resale salesperson. Even customer service jobs outside of the fashion industry will build experiences that will enhance your abilities to design, produce, or sell amazing products. Another option is to pursue an entrepreneurial venture. Dedicating yourself to creating an influential Instagram account, podcast, or YouTube channel could showcase your skills and build your network. Opening a Poshmark, Depop, Teespring, Etsy, or another digital retail store could let you apply your skills. Finally, keep investing in yourself through learning. There are many massive open online courses and community college offerings that could further your career.
What general advice would you give to an Associate?
Meegan Feori Ph.D.: Consider your career in terms of what you are willing to do right now to support yourself and be self-sufficient. During the last recession, I was underemployed, working as a part-time pool lifeguard and making funnel cakes at a local amusement park. Not ideal, but with my funds running low, it was necessary. A third part-time position I had, updating apparel tech packs, did pave my way to a full-time job in the fashion industry. So hustle and be flexible. Also, take time to consider what you can do to create opportunities for yourself. This could include an internship, volunteering, taking a warehouse position at a fashion brand, or completing a class that interests you. The best advice I was ever given was to keep pursuing your goals and accept that what you will be doing in ten years will be better than you ever imagined. The advice came true for me, and I think it will be true for you as well.
What experience really stands out on Associate resumes?
Alexander Nagel Ph.D.: I would state that students have an improved presence experiencing and working with virtual platforms. Particularly in the final year 2020/2021, we tried to stress the importance of online exhibits, social media and engagements online, digital art histories, looked at assignments in the virtual sphere, improved communication skills while presenting online. Due to the Art and Museum world changes, we also see a trend to be more sensitive towards the impact artists, and curators have on social justice.
What soft skills should all Associates possess?
Alexander Nagel Ph.D.: Soft skills needed are flexibilities to adapt quickly to new opportunities, to be open to non-traditional career paths. Being organized and responsive to email correspondence, being friendly and kind, having empathy are values that will never be out of fashion. FIT is known for being home to "unconventional minds," and our students are super creative, engaged, and ready to take on challenges.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Associates?
Alexander Nagel Ph.D.: This was a challenging year for everyone, for students, teachers, parents, many of which were caretakers at the same time. I think the enduring impact will be in the ways we learned to appreciate the value of face-to-face experiences; there is even more appetite for gallery and museum visits, everything that brings joy, connects us, and helps us to see the world through an artist's eyes and learning how to be optimistic and maintain a lively look into the future.
What's a good job out of college for Associates?
Travis Kurowski Ph.D.: There are all sorts of good jobs for writers out of colleges, such as working as a researcher at a non-profit, an editorial assistant at a publishing house, a technical writer at a company, or, as we see more and more, doing social media work and writing website copy for companies large and small. These are all jobs that will use writing graduates' writing and editing skills and research and project management skills that they will have picked up in their coursework and co-curricular activities (such as working on a student newspaper, literary magazine, or in the writing center). Moreover, writing graduates are always excellent value-added in these workplaces as we continue transitioning more and more of our business's resale, marketing, and general communication online. In the busy, sometimes cloudy, media and information environment we live in, transparent, effective communication is more essential than ever.
What technical skills for an Associate stand out to employers?
Travis Kurowski Ph.D.: Honestly, good writing skills are always in high demand. You’ll see this in almost every field because at every level of business—from information management to internal communication to engaging customers, clients, and partners—clear, effective communication is critical. Other writing graduate skills that stand out to employers are project management skills, editing; quantitative and qualitative research; and practical design. It’s not a technical skill, perhaps, but I can’t help note that high up on the lists for almost all employers is creativity, a skill interlaced through many courses in quality writing programs.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Associates in the next 3-5 years?
Travis Kurowski Ph.D.: It's probably because I'm answering these questions in 2020, and so during a health pandemic and economic recession, but it seems the fact that video conferencing and other tools that allow people to work as teams from a distance (such as project management apps) will become much more critical over the coming years for all workplaces. These tools have long been available, and students on campuses already use many writing programs. But these tools will become integrated and essential for almost all businesses moving forward as we adapt to current economic realities and plan for a successful future for companies and communities.