Associate Salary in Australia during 2024

Salary details

The average Associate salary lies between USD 88,290 and USD 134,000 in Australia. 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.

Region represents the primary country of residence of an employee during the year (or residence for tax purposes). All data shown are full-time equivalent (FTE) salaries. Part-time salary information has been extrapolated to its FTE value.

Last updated: Nov. 10, 2024

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 | 3377 jobs Engineering | 2761 jobs SQL | 2516 jobs Machine Learning | 2195 jobs Computer Science | 2051 jobs Statistics | 2032 jobs Research | 1925 jobs R | 1435 jobs Mathematics | 1399 jobs Data management | 1297 jobs Data Analytics | 1290 jobs Testing | 1278 jobs Finance | 1239 jobs Data analysis | 1222 jobs Agile | 1203 jobs AWS | 1149 jobs Excel | 1140 jobs Tableau | 1113 jobs Security | 1056 jobs Architecture | 991 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 | 3644 jobs Health care | 1618 jobs Flex hours | 1363 jobs Competitive pay | 1074 jobs Team events | 1000 jobs Startup environment | 859 jobs Wellness | 821 jobs Flex vacation | 671 jobs Equity / stock options | 661 jobs Insurance | 606 jobs Salary bonus | 551 jobs Parental leave | 539 jobs Medical leave | 437 jobs Conferences | 288 jobs Relocation support | 274 jobs Transparency | 243 jobs 401(k) matching | 224 jobs Fitness / gym | 157 jobs Home office stipend | 121 jobs Gear | 88 jobs

Salary Composition

In Australia, the salary composition for an Associate role in AI/ML/Data Science typically includes a fixed base salary, which forms the bulk of the compensation package. This base salary is often complemented by a performance-based bonus, which can vary significantly depending on the company’s policies, the individual's performance, and the overall success of the team or project. Additional remuneration might include stock options, especially in tech companies or startups, and other benefits such as health insurance, retirement contributions, and professional development allowances. The exact composition can vary based on the region, with major cities like Sydney and Melbourne often offering higher base salaries due to the higher cost of living. Industry also plays a role; for instance, finance and tech sectors might offer more competitive packages compared to academia or public sector roles. Company size can influence the package as well, with larger companies potentially offering more comprehensive benefits and bonuses.

Steps to Increase Salary

To increase your salary from an Associate position, consider pursuing further specialization in a niche area of AI/ML, such as natural language processing, computer vision, or reinforcement learning. Gaining expertise in these areas can make you more valuable to employers. Additionally, seeking leadership roles or project management responsibilities can demonstrate your ability to handle more complex tasks and lead teams, which can justify a higher salary. Networking within the industry and attending relevant conferences can also open up opportunities for higher-paying positions. Pursuing further education, such as a master's or Ph.D., can also enhance your qualifications and potentially lead to higher-paying roles.

Educational Requirements

Most Associate roles in AI/ML/Data Science require at least a bachelor's degree in a related field such as computer science, data science, mathematics, statistics, or engineering. However, many employers prefer candidates with a master's degree or higher, as these programs often provide more in-depth knowledge and practical experience in machine learning algorithms, data analysis, and programming. Coursework in statistics, linear algebra, calculus, and programming languages like Python or R is particularly beneficial.

Helpful Certificates

While not always mandatory, certain certificates can enhance your profile and demonstrate your commitment to the field. Certifications such as the Google Professional Machine Learning Engineer, Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate, or AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty are well-regarded in the industry. These certifications validate your skills in deploying machine learning models and working with cloud-based AI services, which are increasingly important in modern data science roles.

Required Experience

Typically, an Associate role in AI/ML/Data Science requires at least 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 data visualization tools and experience working in collaborative environments using version control systems like Git can also be advantageous.

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