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The differences between junior associates and summer associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a junior associate, becoming a summer associate takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a junior associate has an average salary of $77,094, which is higher than the $42,349 average annual salary of a summer associate.
The top three skills for a junior associate include powerpoint, litigation and financial statements. The most important skills for a summer associate are powerpoint, litigation, and financial models.
| Junior Associate | Summer Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $77,094 | $42,349 |
| Hourly rate | $37.06 | $20.36 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 14% |
| Number of jobs | 30,525 | 7,546 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 43 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 12 |
A junior associate is responsible for assisting with the law firm's operations by evaluating cases, performing client counseling, and attending court trials. Junior associates draft agreements and review claims with strict adherence to regulatory policies and procedures. They also request additional documents as necessary and update the lawyers of any updates regarding the case. A junior associate must be well-versed with the law and determine resolution by following the due process and representing the clients during hearing sessions.
Summer associates are law students hired seasonally by law firms. The aim is for future lawyers to be exposed to the practical aspects of a firm. Typically, this program lasts for nine weeks, beginning in May and running through July. Summer associates are expected to be friendly and kind to people, preserve company reputation, support other associates, and perform legal tasks appropriately.
Junior associates and summer associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Junior Associate | Summer Associate | |
| Average salary | $77,094 | $42,349 |
| Salary range | Between $44,000 And $132,000 | Between $22,000 And $81,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | New York | New York |
| Best paying company | Ropes & Gray | Crowell & Moring |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Professional |
There are a few differences between a junior associate and a summer associate in terms of educational background:
| Junior Associate | Summer Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Law | Law |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between junior associates' and summer associates' demographics:
| Junior Associate | Summer Associate | |
| Average age | 43 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 49.1% Female, 50.9% | Male, 57.0% Female, 43.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 11.2% Asian, 12.2% White, 66.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 6.0% White, 63.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 9% |