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The differences between investment advisors and investment associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an investment advisor and an investment associate. Additionally, an investment associate has an average salary of $127,205, which is higher than the $105,377 average annual salary of an investment advisor.
The top three skills for an investment advisor include exceptional client, risk management and client relationships. The most important skills for an investment associate are powerpoint, customer service, and client service.
| Investment Advisor | Investment Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $105,377 | $127,205 |
| Hourly rate | $50.66 | $61.16 |
| Growth rate | 15% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 63,438 | 39,012 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| Average age | 45 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
An investment advisor is responsible for managing the clients' financial portfolios, advising them of investment options according to their financial goals and objectives, and their ability to handle risks. Investment advisors should have excellent knowledge of the investment policies, providing the clients with the best financial strategies according to their interests. They also determine their expenses, income, and credit scores to identify a comprehensive financial plan. An investment advisor helps the clients with cash management techniques, as well as conducting data analysis on financial market projections.
An investment associate's primary role is to review a company's financial data, recommend investment strategies, oversee the distribution of stocks, and calculate possible risks for business mergers. They also serve as a mediator during agreements between companies during takeovers, monitors stock inventory, sell stocks, and details all financial transactions. In the course of these responsibilities, an investment associate provides administrative support and timely response to client requests as needed, acting as an additional point of communication for clients.
Investment advisors and investment associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Investment Advisor | Investment Associate | |
| Average salary | $105,377 | $127,205 |
| Salary range | Between $60,000 And $184,000 | Between $72,000 And $222,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | California |
| Best paying company | McKinsey & Company Inc | Brookfield Properties |
| Best paying industry | Telecommunication | Technology |
There are a few differences between an investment advisor and an investment associate in terms of educational background:
| Investment Advisor | Investment Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| Most common major | Business | Finance |
| Most common college | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between investment advisors' and investment associates' demographics:
| Investment Advisor | Investment Associate | |
| Average age | 45 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 72.3% Female, 27.7% | Male, 60.2% Female, 39.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.6% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 8.2% White, 72.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 7% |