What is an associate manager and how to become one

Q: Can you be a manager with an associate's degree?

Yes, you can be a manager with an associate's degree. A person can be a manager in certain fields with an associate's degree combined with an appropriate amount of experience. For example, a person can become a property manager or a restaurant manager with an associate's degree and some experience in the real estate or restaurant industry. This is because these industries value experience and aptitude over formal degree requirements.

Q: How much do associate managers make?

Associate managers make about $95,000 yearly (about $7,964 monthly or $46 hourly). As most jobs go, factors like location, industry, and experience can determine your exact pay. On the lower end of the salary range, they might make around $72,000 or less, typically for entry-level positions or in states like Colorado and Texas. On the higher end, they can earn about $126,000, typically for senior-level positions.

Q: Is an associate higher than a manager?

No, an associate is not higher than a manager. A manager is typically overseeing associate-level roles. The word associate shows that the employee has a lower ranking position than their colleagues who do not have the term in the same title. For example, an associate manager has less seniority than a manager.

Q: What is the difference between an assistant and an associate?

The difference between an assistant and an associate is mostly a matter of context, but the key differences are education and tasks. At the core, an associate's responsibilities within a company vary, and they are more objective-focused. Meanwhile, an assistant is often a second-in-command and a stand-in for managers.

Q: What is the difference between an associate manager and a supervisor?

The primary difference between an associate manager and a supervisor is that an associate manager is higher than a supervisor. Associate managers and supervisors are both leadership roles within a company. They both have an important part in a business's day-to-day activities and the organizational ecosystem.

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

Quoted Experts

Steve Wages Ph.D.,

Kerem Cakirer Ph.D.

An associate manager assists a higher-level manager in overseeing a team within an organization. They delegate tasks, manage schedules, and ensure the team meets goals and deadlines. Associate managers may also perform employee evaluations, training, and disciplinary actions. They serve as a liaison between the manager and the team. Additionally, they perform budgeting and financial analysis. An associate manager uses communication and leadership skills to effectively manage a team and ensure success within their department.

What general advice would you give to an Associate Manager?

Steve Wages Ph.D.

Director, Cloverdale Center for Youth and Family, Faulkner University

As soon as possible, establish a formal mentoring relationship with someone who is seasoned in pastoral counseling. Generally, the research demonstrates that the performance of employees with mentors is of a higher quality, they advance in their responsibilities and careers faster, and they avoid common mistakes exhibited by other employees. Establish short-term goals (6 months) for your position and a plan for overcoming obstacles; then ask your mentor to hold you accountable for implementing your plan. As part of your self-care. you also need to be proactive in developing a few close friendships, perhaps including colleagues, who can be a source of emotional support and encouragement to you personally.

You should be confident in your training while also being realistic and transparent about your limitations. There is still a lot that you do not know and much you will learn with experience. Until then, be willing to say "I don't know" when faced with problems you have not addressed before. Then commit to learning more about the issue through personal study and/or consulting with a more experienced colleague or mentor. In some cases, you may need to invite a more experienced counselor to meet with a client or where appropriate refer them to someone else.

You need to equip yourself to address structural changes to the delivery of pastoral care and counseling as a consequence of the pandemic. You will need to adapt to providing pastoral counseling virtually perhaps via Zoom sessions. Give thought as to how the virtual context impacts the counseling process and the spiritual resources you employ. For example, if you are comfortable praying with a client in your office, will you be equally inclined to pray with them online or over a phone. In light of the pandemic, Dr. Chuck Lawless noted, "Good pastoral care has required being more proactive than reactive." Ordinarily, pastoral counselors are reactive in that they respond to needs when they hear about them or when they are

ScoreAssociate ManagerUS Average

Salary

6.5

Avg. Salary $83,246

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

9.6

Growth Rate 6%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.47%

Asian 6.36%

Black or African American 6.18%

Hispanic or Latino 15.18%

Unknown 4.34%

White 67.47%

Gender

female 54.49%

male 45.51%

Age - 44

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44

Stress Level

9.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

9.2

Complexity Level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

3.6

Work Life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being an Associate Manager?

Pros

Opportunity for growth and advancement
Competitive salary and benefits
Ability to make a meaningful impact on the business
Potential for bonuses or commissions based on performance
Opportunities for travel or relocation

Cons

Long hours or overtime may be required
Limited work-life balance, especially during busy periods
May require frequent travel or relocation, which can be disruptive to personal life
Heavy workload can lead to burnout or exhaustion
Limited job security in times of economic uncertainty

Key steps to become an associate manager

Explore associate manager education requirements

Most common associate manager degrees

Bachelor's

58.1 %

Associate

16.1 %

High School Diploma

12.3 %

Start to develop specific associate manager skills

Skills	Percentages
PET	41.82%
POS	5.87%
Sales Floor	5.46%
Product Knowledge	4.33%
Payroll	4.13%

Complete relevant associate manager training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New associate managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an associate manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real associate manager resumes.

Gain additional associate manager certifications

Associate manager certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific associate manager certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for associate managers include Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and Food Safety Manager Certification.

More About Certifications

Research associate manager duties and responsibilities

Manage payroll interface and process including researching payroll issues and enforcing adherence to audit and department guidelines; develop fit/gap analysis.
Schedule evictions for residents that have no means of paying delinquent rent.
Prepare food for daily plate lunches, take-out orders and in-orders and run kitchen.
Run monthly delinquency report on past due rents and sends notices for lockouts liens & evictions.

Prepare your associate manager resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your associate manager resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an associate manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Associate Manager Resume templates

Build a professional Associate Manager resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Associate Manager resume.

Apply for associate manager jobs

Now it's time to start searching for an associate manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do associate managers rate their job?

-/5

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Associate Manager reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2022

Cons

In reality, i do not complain as its who i am

Pros

I have leadership skills I always hire employees who like to work in a team I like to see sales increase and love to see the best customer service is given

A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2020

Pros

Educating employees and getting everyone on the same mindset about what it takes for a company to succeed.

Cons

I don't like it when moral is low and nothing seems to perk employees up to become more productive at work.

A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2020

Pros

The people that you meet! Interactive with a diverse group of individuals from every walk of life.

Cons

The employees with all no calls and no shows!!!!! Poor upper management not taking up for the staff. Also the rude individual’s that comes in gripping about everything

What is an associate manager and how to become one

What general advice would you give to an Associate Manager?

What are the pros and cons of being an Associate Manager?

Associate Manager career paths

Key steps to become an associate manager

Explore associate manager education requirements

Most common associate manager degrees

Start to develop specific associate manager skills

Complete relevant associate manager training and internships

Gain additional associate manager certifications

Research associate manager duties and responsibilities

Prepare your associate manager resume

Choose From 10+ Customizable Associate Manager Resume templates

Apply for associate manager jobs

How Did You Land Your First Associate Manager Job

Average associate manager salary

How do associate managers rate their job?

Associate Manager reviews

Associate Manager FAQs

Can you be a manager with an associate's degree?

How much do associate managers make?

Is an associate higher than a manager?

What is the difference between an assistant and an associate?

What is the difference between an associate manager and a supervisor?

Search for associate manager jobs

Associate Manager jobs by state