Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between equity research analysts and associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an equity research analyst has an average salary of $119,540, which is higher than the $69,556 average annual salary of an associate.
The top three skills for an equity research analyst include financial models, macro and securities. The most important skills for an associate are customer service, sales floor, and patients.
| Equity Research Analyst | Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $119,540 | $69,556 |
| Hourly rate | $57.47 | $33.44 |
| Growth rate | 9% | - |
| Number of jobs | 85,974 | 569,041 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 46% |
| Average age | 40 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | - |
An equity research analyst is responsible for analyzing stock and securities markets, generating reports and performance projections, and advising clients on the best options for clients' financial portfolios. Equity research analysts should have excellent knowledge of the current stock market trends, especially the availability of the securities to identify investments that would sell in public. They evaluate the clients' needs out of their investment interests and risk appetite. An equity research analyst must be highly-communicative and analytical, especially on responding to clients' inquiries and concerns and informing investment managers on the stock and securities available.
Associates are typically entry-level positions for employees who are taking on their first job or organizational role. They are assigned to teams or departments that are related to their skills or educational background. They usually start with smaller tasks that may not seem as impactful but are still essential to the department. Associates are trained by more tenured team members on the ins and outs of the department and the organization. As they grow with the organization, they are given more responsibilities that directly impact the results of the department's initiatives as they work towards their goals.
Equity research analysts and associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Equity Research Analyst | Associate | |
| Average salary | $119,540 | $69,556 |
| Salary range | Between $78,000 And $182,000 | Between $34,000 And $140,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | New York |
| Best paying company | Simmons Energy | Simpson Thacher & Bartlett |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | - |
There are a few differences between an equity research analyst and an associate in terms of educational background:
| Equity Research Analyst | Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 46% |
| Most common major | Finance | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | - |
Here are the differences between equity research analysts' and associates' demographics:
| Equity Research Analyst | Associate | |
| Average age | 40 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 76.8% Female, 23.2% | Male, 50.4% Female, 49.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.6% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 14.1% White, 68.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.3% Asian, 8.3% White, 57.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 7% |