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Job outlook for associate specialists in the United States
Are associate specialist jobs in demand?
Associate specialist job and salary trends over time
Associate specialist jobs over time
Associate specialist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,112 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 2,093 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 2,469 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 2,543 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 2,540 | 0.00% |
Average associate specialist salary over time
Associate specialist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $93,288 | $44.85 | +7.2% |
| 2024 | $86,984 | $41.82 | +4.3% |
| 2023 | $83,367 | $40.08 | +4.3% |
| 2022 | $79,956 | $38.44 | +2.3% |
| 2021 | $78,130 | $37.56 | +4.1% |
Associate specialist jobs by state
Most common states for associate specialists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 818 | 61% |
| 2 | Delaware | 961,939 | 549 | 57% |
| 3 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 647 | 48% |
| 4 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 314 | 45% |
| 5 | Vermont | 623,657 | 257 | 41% |
| 6 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 3,350 | 40% |
| 7 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,749 | 40% |
| 8 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 2,103 | 38% |
| 9 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 3,887 | 37% |
| 10 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 3,847 | 37% |
| 11 | Florida | 20,984,400 | 7,455 | 36% |
| 12 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 4,590 | 36% |
| 13 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 2,186 | 36% |
| 14 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 1,293 | 36% |
| 15 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 1,704 | 35% |
| 16 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 1,092 | 35% |
| 17 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 3,025 | 34% |
| 18 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 1,992 | 34% |
| 19 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 1,058 | 34% |
| 20 | Tennessee | 6,715,984 | 2,185 | 33% |
Most common cities for associate specialists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newark | 2 | 6% | $101,689 |
| 2 | Marlborough | 2 | 5% | $98,465 |
| 3 | Sierra Vista | 2 | 5% | $102,808 |
| 4 | Hackensack | 2 | 4% | $108,531 |
| 5 | Annapolis | 1 | 3% | $86,376 |
| 6 | Orlando | 5 | 2% | $89,627 |
| 7 | Germantown | 2 | 2% | $86,146 |
| 8 | Hartford | 2 | 2% | $103,743 |
| 9 | Boston | 8 | 1% | $98,404 |
| 10 | Urban Honolulu | 3 | 1% | $188,062 |
| 11 | Irvine | 2 | 1% | $101,785 |
| 12 | San Antonio | 5 | 0% | $101,657 |
| 13 | Chicago | 4 | 0% | $107,682 |
| 14 | San Diego | 3 | 0% | $102,092 |
| 15 | Denver | 2 | 0% | $86,740 |
| 16 | Phoenix | 2 | 0% | $100,039 |
| 17 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $100,105 |
Associate Specialist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of associate specialist experts
Pennsylvania State University
University of Connecticut
Southeast Missouri State University
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Tennessee Technological University
University of Mount Union
Franklin and Marshall College
University of North Carolina at Asheville
York College of Pennsylvania
Rowan University
Arizona State University
North Carolina Central University
University of Delaware
U.S. Department of Agriculture
University of California, Davis
Middle Tennessee State University
Forsyth County, Georgia
Utah State University
What general advice would you give to an Associate Specialist?
John Fulton: Effective communication skills, both written and oral, are crucial. Build a solid technical foundation through practical experiences to acquire on-the-job skills. Develop business and management competencies, including financial and project management, as well as supply chain knowledge. Lifelong learning is essential to stay abreast of technological advancements and industry trends. Lastly, consider learning about artificial intelligence (AI) and its safe and effective integration into various job roles.
What will help Associate Specialists increase their earning potential?
Carlos Carpio: Recent graduates should aim to develop a long-term perspective on their careers as soon as possible. This strategy enables them to thoughtfully select jobs and training opportunities as stepping stones in their career trajectory. (Ideally, students should start career planning during college, although this may not always be possible). At the same time, careers do not always follow a linear path; thus, you must be open to challenges and opportunities outside your comfort zone.
What general advice would you give to an Associate Specialist?
Trevor Bowes: Knowing how to fix greenhouse systems and grow plants with any method of cultivation will be invaluable. Many people know what to do but do not actually try to get better on their own time for their own benefit. The biggest new skill is how can you tie organic practices into larger synthetic agriculture to do less work overall, get better crops and make healthier lands. Both modes of growing need to work together if we are to find a better way to grow plants.
What general advice would you give to an Associate Specialist?
Matthew DeBacco: This can depend what area you are a part of but often it involves physical labor in some capacity, especially for those entering the field. There are certain routines, but it is important to keep your eyes open as there are always unexpected things that come up. You are taking care of something living so it is your responsibility to keep it alive.
What Associate Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Matthew DeBacco: We all need to eat so being a part of this process has and will continue to be important. In general, improving efficiencies and maximizing productivity are continual challenges that keep your interest.
What Associate Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kevin Sargent Ph.D.: Know your experience, monetize it in an honest way, aim high when negotiating salary since there is no going back up when a lower salary is offered.
What will help Associate Specialists increase their earning potential?
Elvis Elli PhD: Work hard and try to add value to your company/institution. Build strong networks and interdisciplinary collaborations. Engage with local and international community of your expertise area and find what are the gaps that need to be addressed. Take advantage of the digital tools currently available.
What Associate Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dennis Fennewald: There are many careers in agriculture and the requirements vary from low-tech to high-tech. Some careers require a person to be very physically fit. The days can be long during parts of the year, especially when it is planting or harvesting season. Each day is different but all of the careers require the ability to be trained, a willingness to learn (life-long learners), and a desire to be a team player. Work ethic and grit is highly valued. One computer skill that would be very helpful is being able to use Excel.
Michael Grossman Ph.D.
Professor, Political Studies and International StudiesUniversity of Mount Union
Department of Political Science and International Studies
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Associate Specialists?
Michael Grossman Ph.D.: It is less about licenses or courses and more about experiences. In this regard, internships are crucial.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Associate Specialists?
Cynthia Krom: Professional certifications matter. If your profession has a certification, you need to have that certification to be competitive in this new world. So, a public accountant needs to have a CPA, and a corporate accountant needs to have their CMA. A fraud examiner needs their CFE. Find out what is available in your profession and take whatever courses or exams are needed to be at the top of your game, because everyone else will.
We don't really know what will be happening with professional licenses with remote work. A psychotherapist may be licensed in New York, but remotely treating a client in New Mexico. Technically, they probably need a license in New Mexico. But who will control that? Will it just be the professional responsibility of the therapist to only practice where licensed? Will their malpractice insurance only cover them if the client is where they are licensed? What about a physician operating on someone a thousand miles away using robotics?
In terms of courses not related to professional certification or licensure, technology is where it is at. First and foremost, polish your Zoom skills. Zoom is now your face-to-face workplace and you need to be a pro. YouTube has great videos about lighting for Zoom, even with reflective eyeglasses. Perhaps your IT department is able to help with connectivity issues and learning remote technologies. And, as we have all recently seen, you need to learn how to turn off filters that make you look like a kitten! For nearly every field, you have to know Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, and Excel) or similar programs. You need to know how to work collaboratively on projects through things like Google Drive. If you are not fluent in the basics, you are showing up for a horse race with a little pony.
What soft skills should all Associate Specialists possess?
Sonya DiPalma Ph.D.: Be personable and a person someone wants to talk with and work with on a continuing basis. Listening and note-taking skills will be critical. Great employees listen well and ask good follow up questions. Be versatile and adaptable. If you find some downtime between projects, ask how you may help with another project.
What technical skills for an Associate Specialist 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.
Dr. Kate Seltzer Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorRowan University
Department of Language, Literacy and Sociocultural education
How would you rate the starting salaries for Associate Specialists, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Dr. Kate Seltzer Ph.D.: Educators are not paid nearly enough. However, working in a state with strong teachers' unions helps to ensure a starting salary that recent graduates can live off of and growth opportunities, albeit modest, over their careers.
Mark Manfredo Ph.D.
Professor - Morrison School of AgribusinessArizona State University
W. P. Carey School of Business
What type of skills will young Associate Specialists need?
Mark Manfredo Ph.D.: I continually hear from industry partners that they are looking for graduates with strong written and verbal communication skills, solid quantitative and critical thinking skills, the ability to work well with others and adapt, curiosity, and work ethic. Many of the firms I engage with work in the food and agribusiness industry are also looking for students with familiarity with and appreciation for the uniqueness and complexities of the food and agribusiness industry and a desire to work in the industry.
How do you envision technology impacting Associate Specialists in the next 5 years?
Mark Manfredo Ph.D.: It will be huge. Some of the most critical topics in food and agribusiness today are big data collection and analysis, IoT, robotics, and automation. Rapid technology innovation and adoption is being seen at all levels of the food value chain - from farm to consumer. There are too many compelling examples to delineate here. Still, there is a considerable financial investment in these technologies occurring now, and I anticipate this to continue well into the future.
Elisha Blankson
Program Director NCCU, Assistant ProfessorNorth Carolina Central University
Communication Disorders Department
What type of skills will young Associate Specialists need?
Elisha Blankson: Graduates will need a skill set about the field in which they received training and additional skills useful to the job market. For example, with the changing demographics in the United States, extra skills in information technology and foreign languages will be a plus when entering the job market.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Associate Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Jules Bruck Ph.D.: In addition to the epidemic, 2020 highlighted inequality. A future landscape architecture trend will be building equitable green spaces - including parks and urban green spaces in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas that have long lacked green spaces. A strong focus on resilience is a trend I see in the future as we face unprecedented environmental, social, and economic challenges. How will communities activate vacancies to reenergize areas of their towns hit hardest with pandemic-forced closures? How will communities weather intensified storms and sea-level rise? Specific to the pandemic is rethinking where we practice landscape architecture. Individuals are successfully working at home, and studios may continue using shared working spaces for conference rooms and shared resources, eliminating the need to bring everyone back to the office.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Associate Specialists to find work opportunities?
Melissa Drummond: USDA's Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) mission area includes four agencies - the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Risk Management Agency, and FPAC Business Center. These agencies offer programs that help farmers manage risk, get access to capital, recover from natural disasters, and conserve natural resources. FSA, NRCS, and RMA deliver those farm programs, often through one-on-one assistance with farmers. The Business Center supports the operations for those agencies.
We're looking for highly motivated individuals who are ready to serve our nation's farmers and ranchers. We have multiple job openings, so the skills will vary based on the position an individual is applying for. A few examples of the skills we're looking for include, individuals with an agricultural background, individuals who have finance, budget, business administration, human resources, economics, accounting, banking, and/or credit experience, experts in highly-technical or scientific fields such as biology, environmental science, physical and earth science, plant, animal, soil, and geospatial sciences, professionals involved in the many aspects of conservation on working lands, including efforts to improve soil health, water and air quality, and wildlife habitat, or those interested in research, technical writing, and management.
FPAC also offers different pathway opportunities for students and recent graduates to work in the agricultural, science, technology, math, environmental, and management fields through internships and fellowships. Please visit https://www.fpacbc.usda.gov/careers/students-and-graduates/index.html to see the full list of programs available for students and recent graduates.
What type of skills will young Associate Specialists need?
Melissa Drummond: FPAC has work opportunities all around the country. Our agencies are headquartered in Washington, D.C., and we have nearly 23,000 employees across 3,100 offices nationwide. Many of these offices include our county service centers, where we provide one-on-one service to farmers. Other offices include our state and regional offices as well as our technical centers. To see all the opportunities we have available please visit: https://www.fpacbc.usda.gov/careers/.
What experience really stands out on Associate Specialist resumes?
Amanda Crump Ph.D.: This is best asked of an employer. We aim to have our students complete an international internship or an internship with an international agricultural development group. If students do have some experience (even within a club), that shows that they have learned how to manage programs and be accountable to others. If students speak a few languages, this is a bonus. You might visit this link: Agriculture
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Associate Specialists to find work opportunities?
Donna Kukarola: This one, not so sure of, the southeast continues to see options as well as mid-western states.
Brian Warnick Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Student Services, Professor of Agricultural EducationUtah State University
College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences
What are the best companies to work for an Associate Specialist?
Brian Warnick Ph.D.: There are a wide variety of options for students completing degrees in agriculture and the related sciences. These options range from positions with sizeable agricultural production and processing corporations to small, local firms and opportunities in government agencies and entrepreneurial ventures. The variety of options allows students to select opportunities that best meet their career objectives.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Associate Specialists in the next 5 years?
Brian Warnick Ph.D.: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, "Overall employment of agricultural and food scientists is projected to grow 6 percent from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations. Employment of agricultural and food scientists is projected to grow as research into agricultural production methods and techniques continues." (Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/agricultural-and-food-scientists.htm ). Even with the current pandemic situation, graduates in these fields have been able to secure job opportunities. An early survey of 2020 graduates from the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences at Utah State University indicates higher than 80% placement. Several graduates pursue continued education with combined job placement and continuing education rate of more than 92%.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Associate Specialists to find work opportunities?
Brian Warnick Ph.D.: Our graduates are placed in a wide variety of small firms, larger corporations, government agencies, and family farms and ranches. We encourage our students to engage in multiple internships and other experiential opportunities to determine which employment options best fit their interests, aptitudes, and educational backgrounds.