As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a First Year Associate in the United States is $128,671 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $62.
However, a First Year Associate's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A First Year Associate's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a First Year Associate's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Supply Ch... Level First Year Associate | $85,663 |
| Supply Ch... Level First Year Associate | $110,267 |
| First Yea... Level First Year Associate | $131,719 |
| Supply Ch... Level First Year Associate | $172,763 |
| Supply Ch... Level First Year Associate | $215,074 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract First Year Associates. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Planning | 8.81% |
| Packaging | 2.5% |
| ERP Systems | 1.07% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Clinical Trial
|
$140,251 |
9%
|
|
Packaging Design
|
$135,105 |
5%
|
|
Insight
|
$133,818 |
4%
|
|
Operations Management
|
$133,818 |
4%
|
|
Innovation
|
$132,531 |
3%
|
|
Risk Mitigation
|
$132,531 |
3%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many First Year Associates enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a First Year Associate with a Bachelor's Degree is between $119,951 and $128,260).
First Year Associate Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.5% |
| High School | 6.1% |
| Associates | 4.2% |
| Bachelors | 40.9% |
| Masters | 47.4% |
| Doctorate | 0.8% |
Understanding how a First Year Associate's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
Last Updated on April 01, 2026Salaries for a First Year Associate can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $105,308 in 2023 to around $106,183 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of First Year Associate salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $105,308 |
| 2024 | $106,560 |
| 2025 | $106,183 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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|
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Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for First Year Associate and their salaries, click below for more details.
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Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
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