Associate Salary in United States during 2024

Salary details

The average Associate salary lies between USD 90,000 and USD 167,500 in the United States. 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: Jan. 26, 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

In the United States, the salary composition for an Associate in AI/ML/Data Science typically includes a base salary, performance bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or equity, especially in tech companies. The base salary is the fixed component and usually constitutes the majority of the total compensation package. Performance bonuses can vary significantly depending on the company's profitability and individual performance, often ranging from 10% to 20% of the base salary. Additional remuneration, like stock options, is more common in larger tech companies or startups and can be a significant part of the total compensation, especially in high-growth industries.

Regional differences also play a role; for instance, salaries in tech hubs like San Francisco or New York City tend to be higher due to the cost of living and competitive job markets. Industry-wise, tech companies, finance, and healthcare often offer higher compensation packages compared to academia or government roles. Company size can also influence salary composition, with larger companies typically offering more comprehensive benefits and bonuses.

Steps to Increase Salary

To increase your salary from an Associate position, consider the following strategies:

• Skill Enhancement: Continuously update and expand your technical skills, particularly in emerging AI/ML technologies and tools. Specializing in high-demand areas like deep learning, natural language processing, or computer vision can make you more valuable.

• Advanced Education: Pursuing a master's or Ph.D. in a relevant field can open up higher-level positions and increase earning potential.

• Networking: Build a strong professional network within the industry. Attend conferences, join professional organizations, and participate in online forums to connect with industry leaders and peers.

• Performance and Leadership: Demonstrate exceptional performance in your current role and take on leadership responsibilities. Leading projects or teams can position you for promotions and salary increases.

• Negotiation Skills: Develop strong negotiation skills to effectively advocate for higher compensation during performance reviews or when switching jobs.

Educational Requirements

Most Associate positions in AI/ML/Data Science require at least a bachelor's degree in a related field such as computer science, data science, mathematics, or statistics. However, a master's degree is often preferred and can provide a competitive edge. Coursework in machine learning, data analysis, programming, and statistics is essential. Some roles may also require knowledge of specific industries, so courses in business or domain-specific knowledge can be beneficial.

Helpful Certifications

While not always mandatory, certain certifications can enhance your qualifications and demonstrate expertise:

• Certified Data Scientist (CDS)
• TensorFlow Developer Certificate
• AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty
• Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate
• Google Professional Machine Learning Engineer

These certifications can validate your skills in specific tools and platforms, making you more attractive 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, software development, or related fields. Practical experience with data manipulation, machine learning models, and programming languages like Python or R is crucial. Experience with data visualization tools and cloud platforms can also be advantageous.

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