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What is an associate/team lead and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted expert
Meegan Feori Ph.D.
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If teamwork and leadership are your forte, a position as an associate lead may interest you. Your responsibilities in this position are to give your team guidance, clear instructions and be the general overseer of the execution of all activities in your team. Your role is also extended to being a source of motivation for your team such that your team's morale remains elevated.

You can expect to work up to 40 days per week because your days, on average, involve you setting goals that are in the best interest of the organization and following up on updates and objectives outlined in previous meetings. On a daily basis, you will delegate tasks to your team and ensure that deadlines for your projects are met.

If you have a keen affinity towards the position of an associate team lead, ensure that you have excellent communication and leadership skills - quite obvious, right? You will require excellent computer skills and an above-average knowledge of MS Excel.

In terms of education, a degree in management, as well as previous experience as a supervisor, would suffice to make your application competitive.

What general advice would you give to an associate/team lead?

Meegan Feori Ph.D.Meegan Feori Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Associate Professor, San Diego Mesa College

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.
ScoreAssociate/Team LeadUS Average
Salary
4.3

Avg. Salary $54,721

Avg. Salary $59,228

Diversity
8.5
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.65%

Asian 6.95%

Black or African American 8.47%

Hispanic or Latino 17.93%

Unknown 4.65%

White 61.35%

Gender

female 48.17%

male 51.83%

Age - 42
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 42
Stress level
9.4

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
5.2

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance
4.6

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Associate/team lead career paths

Key steps to become an associate/team lead

  1. Explore associate/team lead education requirements

    Most common associate/team lead degrees

    Bachelor's

    50.5 %

    Associate

    19.1 %

    High School Diploma

    17.9 %
  2. Start to develop specific associate/team lead skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Excellent Interpersonal17.99%
    Product Knowledge8.97%
    Quality Standards8.79%
    Leadership7.40%
    Math6.34%
  3. Complete relevant associate/team lead training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New associate/team leads learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an associate/team lead based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real associate/team lead resumes.
  4. Research associate/team lead duties and responsibilities

    • Accomplish requirements, allocating resources, scheduling and coordinating staff and assure accuracy of payroll.
    • Ensure all sales transactions, refunds and POS system function smoothly and take corrective action when necessary.
    • Process sales transactions, POS, credit applications, discounts, trade-in allowances, warranties and delivery dates.
    • Provide leadership and mentoring of team members to increase productivity while ensuring accuracy.
  5. Get associate/team lead experience

    Generally, it takes 4-6 years to become an associate/team lead. The most common roles before becoming an associate/team lead include sales associate, cashier team lead and customer service representative.
  6. Apply for associate/team lead jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an associate/team lead job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first associate/team lead job

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Average associate/team lead salary

The average associate/team lead salary in the United States is $54,721 per year or $26 per hour. Associate/team lead salaries range between $28,000 and $104,000 per year.

Average associate/team lead salary
$54,721 Yearly
$26.31 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do associate/team leads rate their job?

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Associate/team lead reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2020
Pros

Ability to resolve issues, timely delivery on goals and mantainance of inter personal relationship and organizing.

Cons

Insurbordination, failure to deliver on tasks and targets.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2020
Pros

Safety of the employees and opportunities to learn and leadership

Cons

Not to be listened by the employees


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A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2020
Pros

Its very rewarding, not only in money but also being able to pass on knowledge and being responsible for so much.

Cons

Sometimes it gets overwhelming. Everyone turns to you and you have to be able to help them


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.