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The differences between research analysts and associate analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a research analyst, becoming an associate analyst takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a research analyst has an average salary of $70,232, which is higher than the $68,161 average annual salary of an associate analyst.
The top three skills for a research analyst include data analysis, data collection and research projects. The most important skills for an associate analyst are customer service, powerpoint, and data analysis.
| Research Analyst | Associate Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $70,232 | $68,161 |
| Hourly rate | $33.77 | $32.77 |
| Growth rate | 19% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 81,374 | 97,311 |
| Job satisfaction | 4.5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 37 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
A research analyst is responsible for providing a company with insights and advice concerning finance, investments, and expenditures. Utilizing their analytical skills and extensive expertise in marketing, they analyze the trends and significant factors to conclude which decision should be the best to make. They can also take part in conducting an in-depth analysis of a business and examine which areas require improvement or has potential. Furthermore, they may work with a company or independently as a freelance analyst.
An associate analyst is an individual who is responsible for the research and investigation for a specific business process and department to help the senior staff make further decisions. Associate analysts must use their analytical skills to understand how the collected data can affect business decisions, then prepare reports that detail findings and recommend solutions. They must assist in developing new business models that can generate profits while reducing costs. Associate analysts can work in various industries ranging from finance and operations to information technology (IT) and marketing.
Research analysts and associate analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Research Analyst | Associate Analyst | |
| Average salary | $70,232 | $68,161 |
| Salary range | Between $45,000 And $107,000 | Between $47,000 And $98,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | New York |
| Best paying company | The Citadel | Apollo Global Management |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Finance |
There are a few differences between a research analyst and an associate analyst in terms of educational background:
| Research Analyst | Associate Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Georgia | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between research analysts' and associate analysts' demographics:
| Research Analyst | Associate Analyst | |
| Average age | 37 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 50.8% Female, 49.2% | Male, 52.3% Female, 47.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.3% Asian, 14.3% White, 64.7% 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 | 10% | 7% |