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Job outlook for project associates in the United States
Are project associate jobs in demand?
Project associate job and salary trends over time
Project associate jobs over time
Project associate job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,303 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 6,909 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 2,453 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 2,141 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 1,989 | 0.00% |
Average project associate salary over time
Project associate salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $56,523 | $27.17 | +4.2% |
| 2025 | $54,219 | $26.07 | +1.3% |
| 2024 | $53,518 | $25.73 | +1.8% |
| 2023 | $52,587 | $25.28 | +0.6% |
| 2022 | $52,268 | $25.13 | +0.1% |
Project associate jobs by state
Most common states for project associates
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 427 | 62% |
| 2 | Vermont | 623,657 | 111 | 18% |
| 3 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 878 | 16% |
| 4 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 170 | 16% |
| 5 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 169 | 16% |
| 6 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 121 | 16% |
| 7 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 92 | 16% |
| 8 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,084 | 15% |
| 9 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,009 | 15% |
| 10 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 199 | 15% |
| 11 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,424 | 14% |
| 12 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,120 | 13% |
| 13 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 764 | 13% |
| 14 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 258 | 13% |
| 15 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,548 | 12% |
| 16 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 697 | 12% |
| 17 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 505 | 12% |
| 18 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 369 | 12% |
| 19 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 203 | 12% |
| 20 | Delaware | 961,939 | 118 | 12% |
Most common cities for project associates
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Des Plaines | 2 | 3% | $51,114 |
| 2 | Iowa City | 2 | 3% | $56,691 |
| 3 | Henderson | 1 | 3% | $57,550 |
| 4 | Ann Arbor | 2 | 2% | $47,233 |
| 5 | Topeka | 2 | 2% | $42,473 |
| 6 | Charlottesville | 1 | 2% | $51,670 |
| 7 | Overland Park | 2 | 1% | $42,437 |
| 8 | Cambridge | 1 | 1% | $53,442 |
| 9 | Kalamazoo | 1 | 1% | $46,200 |
| 10 | Chicago | 7 | 0% | $51,082 |
| 11 | Los Angeles | 4 | 0% | $64,239 |
| 12 | Washington | 3 | 0% | $55,968 |
| 13 | Jacksonville | 2 | 0% | $41,954 |
| 14 | New York | 2 | 0% | $62,210 |
| 15 | Austin | 1 | 0% | $53,776 |
| 16 | Baltimore | 1 | 0% | $59,073 |
| 17 | Birmingham | 1 | 0% | $43,130 |
| 18 | Houston | 1 | 0% | $53,152 |
Project Associate job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of project associate experts
Ohio State University
University of Connecticut
Eastern Washington University
Western Carolina University
Auburn University at Montgomery
Maryville University
Northern Michigan University
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
Coastal Carolina University
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Lorain County Community College
American Defence Group
Franklin and Marshall College
Aquinas College
Temple University
Dr. Laura Deeter PhD
Professor of Practice: Horticulture and Crop ScienceOhio State University
Applied Horticulture And Horticultural Business Services
What will help Project Associates increase their earning potential?
Dr. Laura Deeter PhD: There are more than enough positions out there to find one with a good starting salary. Apply for as many as you can.
Be willing to relocate to another city or state.
What will help Project Associates increase their earning potential?
Roger Travis: Those choosing a teaching career should consider seeking certification through a concurrent enrollment program that can get them a Masters in Education soon after graduation with the BA.
Christian Hansen Ph.D.
Professor and Department ChairEastern Washington University
Department of Mathematics
What's a day at work look like for a Project Associate?
Christian Hansen Ph.D.: In the post-pandemic era, a typical workday for a recent graduate will likely involve some form of remote work. I predict that many businesses will benefit from the reduced cost of remote infrastructure compared to the cost of maintaining brick and mortar office space. Many new graduates will continue to spend their day on a computer while collaborating in teams via Zoom and other teleconference tools. People working in disciplines that have traditionally been "on the ground" will move towards more hybrid modes of work, reducing the need for travel and participating in face-to-face meetings and training.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Project Associates?
Angela Sebby Ph.D.: While jobs may be slower to return to the capacity pre-Covid, the industry and tourism employment will rebound as people still want to travel and explore diverse foods, cultures, and experiences. However, the enduring impact will be the rapid onset of technology that allowed for limited contact with employees and others has become the new norm. Although human interaction is an important aspect of service in the tourism industry, employers have found that they can reduce the number of personal interactions but still deliver an acceptable level of quality service. What would have taken years to adopt, COVID created an amplified adoption.
What soft skills should all Project Associates possess?
TeWhan Hahn Ph.D.: Writing skills including email writing, being able to work in teams, and knowing the workplace etiquettes.
Meaghan Goodman Ph.D.
Program Director & Assistant ProfessorMaryville University
Speech-Language Pathology
What's a day at work look like for a Project Associate?
Meaghan Goodman Ph.D.: A bachelor's in communication sciences and disorders can prepare you for three different tracks. First, it can prepare you to become a licensed Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA). This is someone who works under a fully credential speech-language pathologist. Often times, they carryout intervention plans developed by a fully credentialed speech-language pathologist. If graduate school is on your horizon, a bachelor's degree in communication sciences and disorders will prepare you for acceptance into a Speech-Language Pathology program, or an Audiology program. If you are not accepted into a graduate program right away, working as a speech-language pathology assistant (SLPA) is a great way to get experience in the field!
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Project Associates?
Dr. Jim Marquardson: In the short term, the job market may be tough. Companies may be unsure about their financial situations and therefore hesitant to hire right away. But I am already seeing a lot of companies start to post more job openings. All businesses know that they need better cybersecurity solutions, and they need good people to implement those solutions, so those projects cannot be delayed until we're completely past the pandemic. Criminal activity is not slowing down just because of COVID-19. Job seekers may have to be flexible in where they move, whether they are willing to work remotely, or what kind of company they want to work for starting out in their careers. But the great thing about cybersecurity is that a degree, some certifications, and a few years of work experience make you extremely marketable. Long-term career prospects are excellent.
Michelle Ruiz Ph.D.
Assistant professor, Healthcare administration Program DirectorSaint Mary-of-the-Woods College
Master of Healthcare Administration, Business and Leadership Department
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Project Associate job market given the pandemic?
Michelle Ruiz Ph.D.: When looking at specific fields, like healthcare, there are unusually high stressors right now that are bringing about higher than average turnover. This changes the job market for qualified candidates who are looking for work, making it easier for applicants to find a position than during previous economic downturns. Other industries will see a more permanent shift in their hiring, people who were employed in entertainment, travel, and dining for example are seeing a shrinking job market. Employees from those areas are pivoting to more stable industries to find work again, through entry level positions or going back to school for a new bachelors or master's degree.
How would you rate the starting salaries for Project Associates, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Matthew Gilbert: Starting salaries for marketing students will vary by role and region, but a reasonable range is mid $40,000 to mid $50,000. According to Indeed (Link ) "this is lower than general business degrees, but major marketing salaries rise to the top at the master's level, earning around $86,318."
Generally speaking, engineering, computer science, and math-related majors have higher starting salaries and perhaps greater potential for earnings. However, marketing salaries remain well above those for students in the arts of humanities.
Certainly, with the present economic predicament in which we find ourselves, these estimates might be irrelevant as companies downsize in the wake of economic shutdowns and changing economic outlooks. Nevertheless, marketing remains a relevant degree with a reasonable return on your investment.
Lynn Hoffman
Professor of Management and EntrepreneurshipMetropolitan State University of Denver
Department of Management
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Project Associates?
Lynn Hoffman: 1. They need to look ahead and determine which industries will survive in the new normal, whatever that is, and the new technology, and hopefully start careers in those industries that will survive.
2. They will have to become proficient in remote job searching and interviewing remotely.
3. They need to continually learn and be "technologically agile," or their skills will become obsolete much quicker than past generations.
Tammy Bosley Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Program Coordinator for Communication StudiesLorain County Community College
Arts & Humanities Division
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Project Associates in the next 3-5 years?
Tammy Bosley Ph.D.: I think we'll continue to use digital platforms such as Zoom, WebEx, and Teams. We'll likely see improved options in these platforms, such as enhanced breakout rooms, better file-sharing capabilities, and synchronous document creation/editing. If we continue to work from home, these platforms will also need to do well on smartphones.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Project Associates in the next 5 years?
Tammy Bosley Ph.D.: The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicted that communication jobs would increase at the same rate as other professions. Communication is a general degree. Students who major in the discipline usually choose a specialty such as public relations, health communication, international communication, etc. to navigate employment opportunities successfully. Given the challenges everyone is facing in today's culture, communication graduates will be essential to meet the demands of a post COVID society.
What type of skills will young Project Associates need?
Randy Shearer: Business fundamentals; critical thinking skills; comfortable in the digital space; cost principles is a plus; general accounting.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Project Associates to find work opportunities?
Randy Shearer: The Federal Government will hire you quickly, train you, and give you increased responsibilities and rapid advancement. If you want to lay down core buying fundamentals - the federal government does that - beginning from day one.
Dr. Stephanie McNulty Ph.D.
Chair and Associate Professor of GovernmentFranklin and Marshall College
Government Department
How do you envision technology impacting Project Associates in the next 5 years?
Dr. Stephanie McNulty Ph.D.: I expect that the workforce will continue to embrace the technologies that we are relying on now well into the future. We demonstrate that we are equally productive when working at home; we are holding all conferences and workshops online now. As a professor, I do not love teaching on Zoom, but I can create a sense of connection with my online students. We are developing and maintaining relationships in an online environment that many of us did not think possible, one year ago. For this reason, I expect organizations to recognize that some (not all) of our activities can be done virtually and can reduce costs for the organization. A side effect may be the reduction of work travel, which would also help the environment.
Michael Lorr Ph.D.
Chair, Professor of Sociology, & Director of the Community Leadership ProgramAquinas College
Sociology Department
How do you envision technology impacting Project Associates in the next 5 years?
Michael Lorr Ph.D.: As the pandemic is showing us currently, graduates will need to be able to do their work in traditional face-to-face ways and be confident in doing work virtually on a variety of computer- and internet-based platforms.
What type of skills will young Project Associates need?
Elizabeth Gordon: Preparing accounting students for their future means focusing their education on developing their critical thinking, decision making, and judgment, and truly thinking like an accountant requires critical thinking skills to be able to make judgments, to create and to use the information to solve problems and make good decisions. After all, accounting is not about rote memorization or data processing - tasks that do not require a university education. A university accounting education should foster curious and adaptive problem solvers with strong analytical skills and technical knowledge of accounting.