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The differences between summer associates and interns can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a summer associate, becoming an internship takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a summer associate has an average salary of $42,349, which is higher than the $35,254 average annual salary of an internship.
The top three skills for a summer associate include powerpoint, litigation and financial models. The most important skills for an internship are powerpoint, financial statements, and C++.
| Summer Associate | Internship | |
| Yearly salary | $42,349 | $35,254 |
| Hourly rate | $20.36 | $16.95 |
| Growth rate | 14% | -5% |
| Number of jobs | 7,546 | 51,064 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 46 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 2 |
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.
Interns are trainees who are engaged by a company to work for them for a brief period. Interns usually use this opportunity to gain actual work experience, fulfill university or college requirements, and ensure that they are working towards the right career path for them. They sign on for a fixed amount of time. The responsibilities of interns depend on the company and the department that handles them. They do a variety of tasks that exposes them to the type of work that the company is engaged in and to the different aspects of the professional world.
Summer associates and interns have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Summer Associate | Internship | |
| Average salary | $42,349 | $35,254 |
| Salary range | Between $22,000 And $81,000 | Between $24,000 And $49,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Crowell & Moring | Qorvo |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a summer associate and an internship in terms of educational background:
| Summer Associate | Internship | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Law | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Western Carolina University |
Here are the differences between summer associates' and interns' demographics:
| Summer Associate | Internship | |
| Average age | 46 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 57.0% Female, 43.0% | Male, 42.0% Female, 58.0% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 18.1% Asian, 10.3% White, 56.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 6% |