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Job outlook for business associates in the United States
Business associate job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected business associate job growth rate is -8% from 2018-2028.
About -286,900 new jobs for business associates are projected over the next decade.
Business associate salaries have increased 9% for business associates in the last 5 years.
There are over 50,012 business associates currently employed in the United States.
There are 60,886 active business associate job openings in the US.
The average business associate salary is $72,369.
Are business associate jobs in demand?
Business associate job and salary trends over time
Business associate jobs over time
Business associate job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 50,012 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 20,718 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 21,486 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 52,341 | 0.02% |
| 2017 | 50,055 | 0.02% |
Average business associate salary over time
Business associate salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $72,369 | $34.79 | +4.0% |
| 2025 | $69,614 | $33.47 | +2.4% |
| 2024 | $67,984 | $32.68 | +0.7% |
| 2023 | $67,482 | $32.44 | +1.4% |
| 2022 | $66,547 | $31.99 | +1.3% |
Business associate jobs by state
Most common states for business associates
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,071 | 19% |
| 2 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 367 | 19% |
| 3 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 164 | 19% |
| 4 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 182 | 17% |
| 5 | Alaska | 739,795 | 126 | 17% |
| 6 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 493 | 16% |
| 7 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 439 | 15% |
| 8 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 1,461 | 13% |
| 9 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 800 | 13% |
| 10 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 741 | 13% |
| 11 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 386 | 13% |
| 12 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 348 | 12% |
| 13 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 82 | 12% |
| 14 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 765 | 11% |
| 15 | Tennessee | 6,715,984 | 742 | 11% |
| 16 | Kentucky | 4,454,189 | 490 | 11% |
| 17 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 229 | 11% |
| 18 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 1,018 | 10% |
| 19 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 478 | 10% |
| 20 | Delaware | 961,939 | 101 | 10% |
Most common cities for business associates
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newark | 3 | 9% | $81,953 |
| 2 | East Providence | 2 | 4% | $70,138 |
| 3 | West Des Moines | 2 | 3% | $60,036 |
| 4 | Cambridge | 2 | 2% | $81,932 |
| 5 | New Haven | 2 | 2% | $76,598 |
| 6 | Boston | 8 | 1% | $82,012 |
| 7 | Tampa | 5 | 1% | $49,110 |
| 8 | Washington | 5 | 1% | $62,491 |
| 9 | Minneapolis | 4 | 1% | $60,590 |
| 10 | Atlanta | 3 | 1% | $49,917 |
| 11 | Des Moines | 2 | 1% | $60,191 |
| 12 | Providence | 2 | 1% | $70,114 |
| 13 | Tempe | 2 | 1% | $63,986 |
| 14 | Los Angeles | 7 | 0% | $80,989 |
| 15 | New York | 6 | 0% | $82,325 |
| 16 | Chicago | 3 | 0% | $66,461 |
| 17 | Phoenix | 3 | 0% | $64,193 |
| 18 | Denver | 2 | 0% | $48,393 |
| 19 | San Francisco | 2 | 0% | $87,393 |
Business Associate job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of business associate experts
Penn State University - Harrisburg
Kansas State University
University of Indianapolis
The University of Akron
Westminster College
The Ohio State University
Mount Mercy University
Drexel University
Faiza Abbas
Lecturer of ManagementPenn State University - Harrisburg
School of Business Administration
What skills stand out on Business Associate resumes?
Faiza Abbas: Business associates are usually members of a team that works together to acquire and retain clients. They are the face of a business and its first connection with people; therefore, much emphasis is placed on hiring the right person. Although the job description of a business associate will vary from one company to another, there are certain skills preferred by all recruiters. A Business Management degree might be the prerequisite, but some skills will make your resume stand out. These include good communication skills to connect effectively with clients, teamwork, a positive outlook, problem-solving capabilities, use of appropriate social media, conflict management, and emotional intelligence.
What soft skills should all Business Associates possess?
Faiza Abbas: In recent years employers have placed a high value on soft skills. Soft skills, also called human skills or behavioral skills, take years to master. The technical know-how of a job can take an employee only so far. To become a star employee, you need skills that might be hard to measure but critical for success. Some of the important in-demand soft skills are:
-Critical thinking
-Collaboration
-Communication
-Perseverance
-Adaptability
-Emotional Intelligence
According to LinkedIn's 2019 Global Talent Trends report, 89 percent of recruiters say when a hire doesn't work out, it usually comes down to a lack of soft skills. An engineer might have the best solution for her client, but if she misses deadlines or doesn't take action on time, upset clientele might cost her the job. The beauty of soft skills is that they're highly transferable. Creativity, responsibility, and communication skills can be applied to any job.
A recent Yale University study found that people with emotionally intelligent supervisors-those who are self-aware and empathetic-were happier, more creative, and more innovative. On the flip side, 70 percent of the employees whose managers were identified as having little emotional intelligence said their main feelings toward work were negative.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Business Associates?
Faiza Abbas: Business Management or Business Administration degree and some experience
-Know the business and its products and services. As a business associate, you need to be an expert in your company’s offerings to sell them to prospective clients. Work with your organization to expand your knowledge, skills, and abilities, so you can provide answers to your clients.
-Computer skills and Microsoft Office
-Analytical skills like Data Mining and Data Presentation, Diagnostics, Creativity
-Presentation skills like Graphic Design and Data Visualization
-Marketing skills
-Certifications relevant to your field
-Fluency in digital communications
-Critical thinking skills
What skills will help Business Associates earn the most?
Faiza Abbas: In the current coronavirus scenario or post-Covid time, there are some skills that organizations are willing to pay for; many organizations have a pay-for-knowledge compensation system that bases salaries and wages on the repertoire of skills that an employee possesses and not on job classifications. Having these skills will enable you to earn more than others at the same job level.
-An understanding of how organizations operate
-Strong communication skills (oral and written)
-Analytical and critical thinking
-Problem solving
-Decision making
-Logical thinking
-Presentation and report writing skills
Richard Doll
Associate ProfessorKansas State University
Department of Educational Leadership
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Business Associate job market given the pandemic?
Richard Doll: The stress from the pandemic has caused many veteran school leaders to retire. So, there will be lots of movement this year as principal/assistant superintendents move into the superintendency and teachers move into principalships.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Business Associate job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Larry Belcher: The biggest post-pandemic trend we see involves the re-definition of a workspace. Many firms went to remote work via video conferencing and other technology and decided that they really did not need expensive office space, particularly in large cities and so they have employees working fully or partially remote on a permanent basis. In addition, for "at work" office space many firms have moved away from "offices" or even cubbies to common "plug-in" stations where workers find a spot and have access to power and internet so they can work. Add in conference/meeting space and you can still have face to face meetings if necessary but a much smaller, less expensive office footprint. It remains to be seen how this will work out long-term in terms of worker productivity. There is a lot of anecdotal evidence of "Zoom fatigue" and a desire for more human interaction among some workers so this is a trend worth watching. Another trend has been the speed of change. COVID showed us in many ways that our environments can be altered substantially almost overnight. Supply chain management is a great example. From a worker perspective, not being intimidated by this type of possibility will be a key going forward.
What technical skills for a Business Associate stand out to employers?
Dr. Larry Belcher: In terms of technical skills, in technical disciplines intimate knowledge of Excel is a must. In addition, with more movement to remote work, proficiency with video meeting and presentation software has become more of a necessity I would say that an ability to learn new technology rather quickly will help students advance faster. Technology changes rapidly, and as we have seen with the COVID pivot to remote work, one may need to master new software or hardware quickly. Also, with the proliferation of data and data analysis familiarity with data visualization and analysis tools like Tableau is becoming more valuable. This goes along with the usual necessary skills, such as written/verbal communication, presentation skills, and adaptability/flexibility. COVID has also shown us all that change can occur quickly and our ability to roll with it and adapt our work to the environment is a key skill. The ability to deal with ambiguity is also becoming more needed, as the environment a worker faces may not have all of its parameters nailed down. The ability to navigate those circumstances will help any employee advance more quickly. This also bleeds over into the ability to solve problems quickly. When things move fast, you need to both be adaptable and be able to think through problems quickly. Another thing we have seen is that employers don't want to have to train new hires on things they expect they should have learned in college. So practice and proficiency in software, speaking, writing and presentations are keys so that a new hire can adapt quickly and get into the workflow faster without "hand-holding."
Julianne Jones
Associate Professor of PracticeThe University of Akron
George W. Davario School of Accountancy
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Business Associates?
Julianne Jones: Yes, I believe there will be an enduring impact on graduates. Most notably it will be the increase in flexible work schedules (i.e. work from anywhere programs). Employers and employees have now experienced remote working and how successful it can be. While remote working is not viable for every project, employers and employees are likely to work together to create flexible programs allowing employees to come to the office when needed and work from "anywhere" at other times.
What's a day at work look like for a Business Associate?
Michael Mamo Ph.D.: The pandemic has brought about fundamental changes at the workplace, including remote work and the rising importance of technological proficiency. These in turn demand flexibility and much of the workplace will demand more versatility and flexibility.
What will help Business Associates increase their earning potential?
Michael Mamo Ph.D.: Not sure how this relates to the previous themes but I do not believe the quest to increase one's earning potential is a noble goal. As humans we value (or should value) the benefits of enlightenment that come from education and life-long learning. Of course, enlightenment could translate to monetary gains. Enlightenment also comes with a greater sense of fulfilment in life and provides the person with traits of empathy, integrity, and other virtues such as justice and perseverance. Beyond improving ones earningn potential, education is a life-affirming process and that is what I would advise people in my field to aspire for.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Business Associate job market given the pandemic?
Adam Cahill: Thankfully what we are seeing in regard to trends in the job market are good ones. Interactions taking place between employers and candidates, jobs being posted, and employers actively recruiting students and alumni in the plant science industries has kept steady throughout the pandemic. The biggest difference is that these things are now taking place virtually instead of on campus.
We have also seen a change with more remote work being mentioned in job descriptions and deeper intentionality placed on how employers are managing their employees to make sure they feel safe and are kept safe. More clear and transparent communication is really taking a front seat throughout the hiring process; mostly because a lot of procedures and processes are new given the pandemic, so everyone is being re-educated on how things are done.
Based on the employer requests for new hires and job postings we are receiving at the university, we are not seeing much, if any, reduction in work force in the plant science industry. Homes and businesses are still being landscaped, food still needs to be grown, and plant diseases are still being researched and combated just to name a few of the many driving forces in the positive job outlook for plant science industries.
What soft skills should all Business Associates possess?
Adam Cahill: Soft skills are often what can set a graduate apart in the hiring and promotion process. They are often items that are difficult to teach and many find it challenging to coach employees on development and growth in these skills; which is quite the contrast to the counterpart technical skills. Because of this, we like to refer to these skills as "power skills" and there are far too many to name them all.
Some of the more tangible power skills we like to see our graduates express competency in before they leave the university are oral and written communication mastery, self-reflection and growth in response to their experiences lived, adaptability and agility, listening to understand and not to respond, and finally, global and intercultural fluency.
These skills and the countless more, are all ones that can be developed and cultivated through practice, awareness, and life experiences. We highly encourage employers to build these skill's development into their operations and company culture as they are not items that should stop being taught once students leave education institutions, but ones that should be continually honed throughout their entire lives.
How have salaries changed over time for Business Associates?
Adam Cahill: We have seen a steady increase in reported starting salaries from our graduates each year in the plant sciences area. Geographic location tends to be one of the biggest differentiators to help adjust for cost of living in a specific area. The "add on" benefits from companies is also often a contributing factor that comes into play. Signing bonuses or higher starting salaries for candidates who interned with the company are being seen more often as well as more flexible work arrangements. This comes as no surprise to our career office in response to the pandemic and evolving health and safely guidelines. With many organizations tightening their belts around monetary compensation, we are hearing more flexibility in candidates abilities to negotiate other benefit areas such as time off, work/life balance items, and other reimbursement items for them to accomplish their work such as work vehicles, phones, and travel expenses.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Business Associate job market given the pandemic?
Joe Sheller: Pandemic is too new for me to gauge--it's been going on for a year but we have a small graduating class each year. I was worried about last year's class, but they seem to have found placements.
I sort of expect a kind of delayed impact. Lots of my journalism graduates go into marketing, PR, corporate writing or web writing--they are not strictly "service" jobs that were worst hit by pandemic, but do depend on companies that provide those services (not much work in restaurant marketing when all the restaurants are closed, for example). A chunk of the small pool of graduates I had were actually hired by the university where I teach because we had "churn" in our marketing-communication office, both a change of leadership and existing employees moving on off campus for other places--which is not an indication of a weak job market.
Remote job interviews via video conferencing are way more common.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Business Associates?
Joe Sheller: Two things: Student media experience (work beyond the classroom) and comfort with technology--ability to think in any medium.
What's a good job out of college for Business Associates?
Susan Epstein: The best job for a recent graduate is one for which her or she is passionate and prepared. The pandemic has not changed that. Taking a job that does not meet those criteria, regardless of what is going on in the world, will not be satisfying for the long term. In addition, working for an organization whose culture aligns with your own personal values is extremely important. Your first professional position sets the tone for the rest of your career. You want to ensure that there are challenging responsibilities and room for advancement. You should also take advantage of the networking opportunities within any organization you join. Feeling good about what you are doing and who you are doing it with affects not only your performance, but also the relationships you have with those around you. This is important as you pave the way for a career, as the reputation you create now will influence the way others respond to you going forward.