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: Dec. 22, 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 | 4033 jobs Engineering | 3317 jobs SQL | 2974 jobs Machine Learning | 2631 jobs Computer Science | 2440 jobs Statistics | 2401 jobs Research | 2333 jobs R | 1688 jobs Mathematics | 1640 jobs Data management | 1574 jobs Data Analytics | 1528 jobs Testing | 1505 jobs Data analysis | 1486 jobs Finance | 1441 jobs Agile | 1441 jobs AWS | 1365 jobs Excel | 1342 jobs Tableau | 1291 jobs Security | 1278 jobs Architecture | 1186 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 | 4393 jobs Health care | 1913 jobs Flex hours | 1586 jobs Competitive pay | 1260 jobs Team events | 1165 jobs Startup environment | 1020 jobs Wellness | 955 jobs Equity / stock options | 804 jobs Flex vacation | 783 jobs Insurance | 733 jobs Salary bonus | 640 jobs Parental leave | 631 jobs Medical leave | 523 jobs Conferences | 352 jobs Relocation support | 319 jobs Transparency | 295 jobs 401(k) matching | 264 jobs Fitness / gym | 184 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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