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.

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.

What is a business management associate?

A business management associate is an intermediate-level position responsible for the overall administrative activities of a business. A business management associate works closely with business leaders and the business management team to help accomplish this.

What is a case management associate?

A case management associate is an administrative professional who ensures that patients move through the healthcare system and receive the treatment and rehabilitation they require. Case management associates work in hospitals and clinics in a largely independent capacity under the oversight of a case manager.

What is a management associate and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted Expert

Angela Grotto Ph.D.

A management associate works with experienced managers to gain the skills and knowledge needed to become a manager. They work in industries such as finance, retail, or healthcare, and assist with project management, data analysis, and team coordination. Management associates receive extensive training to develop their leadership, communication, and problem-solving abilities, with the goal of taking on higher-level managerial roles within their organization. The role can prove challenging but rewarding for those pursuing management positions.

What general advice would you give to a Management Associate?

Angela Grotto Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Management, Manhattan College

When job searching, be active and persistent - Network by setting up Zoom informational calls with professionals (alumni, people with whom your family work) to learn about jobs that you are interested in or to learn about organizations where you would like to work and then follow up with them; have someone you trust who is a professional review your resume and social media profile pages; carve out time every day to apply to jobs; use Handshake and LinkedIn as a resource; keep sending out applications; while job searching, volunteer or start your business project that showcases your skillset and then discuss it during your interviews.
When interviewing, be creative - Use experiences from your academic career to demonstrate your capabilities. There are many skills you learn in class that are transferrable to the professional world. For example, as a student, you likely had to pivot to full remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rather than seeing this as a disadvantage, discuss how the new learning format has prepared you to work remotely as an employee, how small group projects have primed you to collaborate on a virtual team, and how small classes have equipped you to use technology such as Zoom.
When deciding on a job offer, be open-minded - Your first job may not be the one you had imagined or hoped for upon graduation. Still, it may be a stepping stone to your ideal career or a way to build your network of professional connections. You create meaningful and valuable relationships with others who may one day help you get the job you want.
When you land the job, be flexible - Show your employer or your boss that you're willing to step outside your comfort zone and do tasks that you were not necessarily trained for or are unrelated to your degree. Also, when circumstances at work change, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic, show that you are willing to step up and do a different job, do someone else's job, or work on another project or team. This flexibility will demonstrate your versatility and how you can adapt to new and unpredictable situations. Lastly, embrace the "gig" economy - be willing to start as a temporary or contract worker with a company to get your foot in the door and build more professional connections.

ScoreManagement AssociateUS Average

Salary

6.5

Avg. Salary $83,566

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

Growth Rate 17%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.4

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.66%

Asian 8.92%

Black or African American 7.56%

Hispanic or Latino 12.67%

Unknown 4.69%

White 65.50%

Gender

female 52.14%

male 47.86%

Age - 47

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 - 47

Complexity Level

1.8

Complexity Level is simple

7 - challenging

What are the pros and cons of being a Management Associate?

Pros

Fast track career development
Competitive salary and benefits
Opportunities for international travel or relocation
Chance to work on diverse projects
Potential for high level of responsibility early on

Cons

Frequent travel or relocation may be required
Steep learning curve
Work can be repetitive and mundane
May require working on weekends or holidays
Limited job security due to frequent reorganizations and restructuring.

Key steps to become a management associate

Explore management associate education requirements

Most common management associate degrees

Bachelor's

69.5 %

Master's

12.4 %

Associate

9.0 %

Start to develop specific management associate skills

Skills	Percentages
Customer Service	15.93%
Portfolio	6.77%
Risk Management	6.07%
Patients	5.75%
Strong Analytical	5.08%

Research management associate duties and responsibilities

Manage A/R, A/P, capital assets, and security deposits.
Manage the rehabilitation of homes and lead abatement of existing homes.
Value add services through managing partnerships with functional business teams to support client ROI.
Manage and execute the entire SDLC search for a single core products processing vendor.

Prepare your management associate resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your management associate 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 a management associate resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Management Associate Resume templates

Build a professional Management Associate 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 Management Associate resume.

Apply for management associate jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a management associate 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 management associates rate their job?