Associate Salary in 2024

Salary details

The average Associate salary lies between USD 85,000 and USD 165,000 globally. It represents the overall compensation/gross salary amount for the working year (before deductions like social security, taxes and other contributions), not including equity/stock options or similar benefits.

All data shown are full-time equivalent (FTE) salaries. Part-time salary information has been extrapolated to its FTE value.

Last updated: Jan. 19, 2025

Salary trend

Top 20 Job Tags for Associate roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with Associate job listings are Python, Engineering and SQL. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job tags in 2024 and the number of open jobs that where associated with them during that period:

Python | 3491 jobs Engineering | 2988 jobs SQL | 2558 jobs Machine Learning | 2228 jobs Computer Science | 2128 jobs Research | 2065 jobs Statistics | 2005 jobs R | 1538 jobs Data management | 1446 jobs Mathematics | 1361 jobs Testing | 1352 jobs Data Analytics | 1301 jobs Agile | 1253 jobs Data analysis | 1244 jobs Security | 1217 jobs AWS | 1167 jobs Finance | 1160 jobs Excel | 1135 jobs Architecture | 1058 jobs Azure | 985 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Associate roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with Associate job listings are Career development, Health care and Flex hours. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job perks or benefits in 2024 and the number of open jobs that where offering them during that period:

Career development | 4005 jobs Health care | 1604 jobs Flex hours | 1589 jobs Team events | 1082 jobs Competitive pay | 955 jobs Startup environment | 888 jobs Flex vacation | 796 jobs Equity / stock options | 782 jobs Insurance | 736 jobs Wellness | 652 jobs Salary bonus | 645 jobs Parental leave | 630 jobs Medical leave | 523 jobs Conferences | 313 jobs Relocation support | 281 jobs Transparency | 268 jobs 401(k) matching | 263 jobs Fitness / gym | 182 jobs Home office stipend | 134 jobs Flexible spending account | 105 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary composition for an Associate in AI/ML/Data Science can vary significantly based on region, industry, and company size. Generally, the salary is composed of a fixed base salary, a performance-based bonus, and additional remuneration such as stock options or other benefits. In tech hubs like Silicon Valley, the base salary might be higher, but the cost of living is also elevated. In contrast, regions with a lower cost of living might offer a smaller base salary but could compensate with more substantial bonuses or stock options. Industries such as finance or healthcare might offer higher bonuses due to the critical nature of data-driven insights in these fields. Larger companies often provide more comprehensive benefits packages, including health insurance, retirement plans, and professional development opportunities, which can add significant value to the overall compensation package.

Next Steps for Salary Increase

To increase your salary from an Associate position, consider pursuing advanced roles such as Senior Data Scientist, Machine Learning Engineer, or Data Science Manager. Gaining expertise in specialized areas like deep learning, natural language processing, or big data analytics can make you more valuable. Additionally, developing strong leadership and project management skills can position you for roles with greater responsibility and higher pay. Networking within the industry and seeking mentorship can also provide insights into career advancement opportunities. Continuous learning through workshops, conferences, and online courses can keep your skills relevant and competitive.

Educational Requirements

Most positions for an Associate in AI/ML/Data Science require at least a bachelor's degree in a related field such as Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or Engineering. However, a master's degree or Ph.D. is often preferred, especially for roles involving complex data analysis or algorithm development. These advanced degrees provide a deeper understanding of machine learning algorithms, statistical methods, and data modeling techniques, which are crucial for success in this field.

Helpful Certifications

While not always mandatory, certain certifications can enhance your qualifications and demonstrate your commitment to the field. Certifications such as the Certified Data Scientist (CDS), TensorFlow Developer Certificate, or AWS Certified Machine Learning can be beneficial. These certifications validate your skills in specific tools and platforms commonly used in the industry, making you a more attractive candidate to potential employers.

Required Experience

Typically, an Associate role in AI/ML/Data Science requires 1-3 years of relevant experience. This experience can be gained through internships, co-op programs, or entry-level positions in data analysis or software development. Practical experience with data manipulation, statistical analysis, and machine learning model development is crucial. Familiarity with programming languages such as Python or R, as well as experience with data visualization tools and machine learning frameworks, is often expected.

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