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Associate -94% 5-Year Decline

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Top Sponsor: Morgan Stanley Services Group Inc (18 filings)
Highest Pay: Palo Alto, CA ($285,000)
Official Federal Category: 23-1011.00 - Lawyers
Market Demand i
A+
FY 2026
2023 A+
2024 A+
2025 A+
Certified Volume i
258
Approved in FY 2026
National Median Salary i
$170,000
Typical yearly pay
PERM Conversion i
25.60%
Transition to residency
Top Paying Market i
Palo Alto, CA
Median pay: $285,000

Algorithmic Intelligence Brief

An automated market review of the Associate role.

Healthy Employment Volume: A+

With 258 active job filings on record, the Associate position remains a popular route for sponsored employment, securing the A+ score on H1B Index rating.

Mostly Direct Work

Employers prefer to keep these workers on internal projects. 98.8% of these people work directly for their own company.

Experienced Salary Growth

Workers who stay in this career path see strong salary growth over time. Reaching the senior expert level usually boosts the starting pay by about +96%.

Higher Scrutiny Role

The government is much stricter when checking these applications. The success rate is only 72.9%, while the rest are denied or canceled.

Remote-Friendly Role

If your priority is working from home, this is a strong career choice. Roughly 45.0% of Associate professionals reside in a completely different state than their petitioning employer.

Role & Industry Structure

Federal classifications for this position.

Hours & Shifts: Official forms show that 98.4% of people in this job work full-time hours.

Primary Sectors: Most of these jobs are in the Finance & Insurance industry (48.4%), while Professional, Scientific, and Tech Services accounts for 46.9%.

Earning Potential: This position offers a $170,000 median baseline and scales up to $450,000 depending on experience.

Undergraduate Degree: You do not need a Master's degree. Major sponsors like Morgan Stanley Services Group Inc use Bachelor's degrees for permanent status.

10-Year Median Salary Trajectory

Comparing national base compensation growth for Associates. temporary H-1B medians vs permanent Green Card (PERM).

Top Paying Tech Hubs

Cities ranked by the highest median salaries for this specific role.

National Salary Percentiles i

Distribution of pay across all federal filings.

O*NET Wage Level Economics

Salary breakdown scaled by federal experience classifications.

O*NET Wage Distribution

💡 Click on colored labels to filter.

Wage Levels Breakdown

Experience LevelLCA VolumeMedian Salary
Entry Level (Level I)33$115,000
Qualified (Level II)132$156,832
Experienced (Level III)46$175,000
Fully Competent (Level IV)35$225,000

Acquisition & Geographic Distribution

Talent pipeline metrics and top hiring locations for Associates.

Talent Pipeline

Fresh Hires (50.8%)Transfers/Poached (49.2%)

Green Card (PERM) Conversion i

25.60% of active filings transition to residency.

Noticing a difference in dates? Salary metrics reflect real-time DOL filings, while approval metrics rely on finalized USCIS historical data. View timelines

Sponsoring EmployerLCA CountMaximum SalaryMedian SalaryMinimum Salary
Morgan Stanley Services Group Inc.18$165,000$136,500$93,000
Blackrock Financial Management, Inc.10$155,000$136,000$109,700
White & Case Llp10$420,000$310,000$250,000
Evercore Partners Services East Llc7$250,000$185,000$185,000
Moelis & Company Group Lp7$225,000$175,000$175,000
Latham & Watkins Llp5$310,000$235,000$225,000
Latentview Analytics Corporation5$148,699$134,310$130,416
Morgan Stanley & Co., Llc5$225,000$175,000$125,000
Fenwick & West, Llp4$435,000$302,500$239,200
Db Global Technology, Inc.4$120,000$115,900$110,000
Kirkland & Ellis Llp4$310,000$272,500$225,000
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, Llp4$435,000$225,000$225,000
Blackrock Investment Management, Llc4$135,000$118,500$99,000
Macquarie Holdings (Usa) Inc.3$235,000$175,000$175,000
Nomura Securities International, Inc.3$200,000$165,000$160,000
Pjt Partners Holdings Lp3$250,000$225,000$159,619
Bnp Paribas Securities Corp.3$225,000$200,000$200,000
Apollo Management Holdings, L.P.3$175,000$175,000$135,500
Pricewaterhousecoopers Advisory Services Llc3$105,000$102,000$95,000
True Capital Partners, Llc3$100,000$100,000$95,000
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom Llp3$390,000$310,000$310,000
Mccarter And English, Llp3$190,000$190,000$190,000
Morgan Stanley & Co, Llc3$200,000$200,000$175,000
Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc.3$225,000$170,000$150,000
Alvarez & Marsal North America, Llc2$132,500$132,500$132,500
Paul Hastings Llp2$260,000$242,500$225,000
Morgan Stanley Fund Services Inc2$115,000$115,000$115,000
Jpmorgan Chase & Co.2$200,000$160,000$120,000
Goodwin Procter Llp2$435,000$412,500$390,000
Db Usa Core Corporation2$140,000$120,000$100,000
Kpmg Llp2$88,000$81,648$75,296
Stress Engineering Services Inc.2$164,331$113,832$112,350
Elsberg Baker & Maruri Pllc2$225,000$225,000$225,000
Ellenoff Grossman & Schole Llp2$248,000$228,000$208,000
Cooley Llp2$260,000$260,000$260,000
D. E. Shaw & Co., L.P.2$190,000$175,000$160,000
Covington & Burling Llp2$260,000$260,000$260,000
Dla Piper Llp (Us)2$400,000$266,500$233,000
Cerity Partners Management Llc2$98,259$98,259$98,259
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton Llp2$310,000$310,000$310,000
Bnp Paribas2$150,000$150,000$150,000
Morgan Stanley Fund Services Inc.2$107,000$106,000$105,000
Manning & Napier Advisors, Llc2$80,000$61,672$60,674
Nomura Holding America, Inc.2$125,000$107,500$105,000
Squire Patton Boggs (Us) Llp2$325,000$250,000$250,000
William Blair & Company, Llc2$175,000$175,000$175,000
Weil, Gotshal & Manges Llp2$420,000$405,000$390,000
Proskauer Rose Llp2$365,000$312,500$260,000
Willkie Farr & Gallagher Llp2$435,000$400,000$365,000
Apollo Insurance Solutions Group Lp1$150,000$150,000$150,000
Analysis Group, Inc.1$222,500$180,000$180,000
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld Llp1$365,000$365,000$365,000
Albert Einstein College Of Medicine1$74,460$74,460$74,460
Agam Capital Management, Llc1$145,000$145,000$145,000
A.T. Kearney, Inc.1$194,000$157,000$157,000
Worksite CityStateLCA CountMaximum SalaryMedian Salary
New YorkNY146$435,000$175,000
San FranciscoCA10$370,000$242,500
WashingtonDC9$390,000$225,000
Los AngelesCA9$450,000$175,000
AlpharettaGA6$160,000$130,000
ChicagoIL6$310,000$123,500
Palo AltoCA6$420,000$285,000
HoustonTX4$310,000$148,675
CaryNC4$120,000$115,900
DallasTX3$220,000$135,000
AtlantaGA3$145,000$142,500
SeattleWA3$390,000$142,000
WilmingtonDE3$135,000$120,000
AustinTX3$150,000$111,050
MinneapolisMN2$230,000$165,794
El SegundoCA2$175,000$162,500
Jersey CityNJ2$140,000$112,858
CatonsvilleMD2$98,259$98,259
Mountain ViewCA2$310,000$274,600
San JoseCA2$148,699$139,558
LincolnMA1$115,000$105,685
FairportNY1$80,000$62,670
GreenwichCT1$210,000$210,000
BronxNY1$74,460$74,460
BoulderCO1$79,000$71,000
BostonMA1$125,000$125,000
BrooklynNY1$140,000$120,000
ArlingtonVA1$100,000$100,000
IrvineCA1$280,000$200,000
MasonOH1$164,331$115,315
Menlo ParkCA1$140,000$140,000
MiamiFL1$400,000$300,000
Manhattan BeachCA1$135,000$135,000
Long Island CityNY1$435,000$225,000
LivermoreCA1$134,310$134,310
Redwood ShoresCA1$420,000$420,000
PrincetonNJ1$109,700$109,700
PhiladelphiaPA1$215,000$215,000
New York CityNY1$150,000$118,248
MontpelierVT1$57,720$57,720
San DiegoCA1$310,000$310,000
SalemMA1$90,000$84,640
RomeovilleIL1$47,000$47,000
SausalitoCA1$132,000$132,000
Santa MonicaCA1$175,000$175,000
Santa ClaraCA1$132,000$132,000
Sherman OaksCA1$116,000$116,000
Suite 3610NC1$260,000$260,000
St. PetersburgFL1$80,000$60,674
Washington, D.C.DC1$200,000$148,034
YonkersNY1$157,000$157,000
Fiscal YearMaximumMedianAverageMinimum
2026$420,000$157,000$173,628$27
2025$435,000$142,800$160,918$15
2024$445,000$140,000$153,935$23
2023$1,173,000$140,000$149,052$32
2022$415,720$130,000$137,685$28
2021$1,200,000$124,900$131,425$39
2020$350,000$119,900$125,379$19
2019$850,000$120,000$124,268$19
2018$375,000$105,000$112,079$16
2017$350,000$97,000$105,160$17
2016$300,000$91,562$98,238$12
Decision DateEmployerLocationBase PayWage LevelStatus
Dec 30, 2025Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, LlpWashington, DC$225,000Level IIICertified
Dec 30, 2025King & Wood MallesonsNew York, NY$187,000Level IICertified
Dec 30, 2025Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LlpDallas, TX$177,798Level IIICertified
Dec 29, 2025Latentview Analytics CorporationNew York, NY$146,856Level IIICertified - Withdrawn
Dec 29, 2025White & Case LlpNew York, NY$250,000Level IICertified - Withdrawn
Dec 29, 2025Clifford Chance Us LlpNew York, NY$225,000Level IIICertified
Dec 29, 2025Morgan Stanley Services Group Inc.New York, NY$146,000Level IICertified
Dec 29, 2025Morgan Stanley Services Group Inc.New York, NY$135,000Level IICertified
Dec 29, 2025Black River Design Architects, PlcMontpelier, VT$57,720Level IICertified - Withdrawn
Dec 26, 2025Paul Hastings LlpNew York, NY$260,000Level IICertified
Dec 26, 2025Bnp Paribas Securities Corp.New York, NY$200,000Level IICertified
Dec 26, 2025Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LlpHouston, TX$310,000Level IIICertified
Dec 26, 2025Jones Architecture Inc.Salem, MA$84,640N/ACertified
Dec 24, 2025Cooley LlpNew York, NY$260,000Level IIICertified
Dec 24, 2025Workforce.Com IncChicago, IL$90,000Level ICertified
Dec 24, 2025Citadel Americas Services LlcNew York, NY$150,000Level IICertified
Dec 24, 2025K1 Investment Management, LlcManhattan Beach, CA$135,000Level IIICertified
Dec 24, 2025Morgan Stanley Services Group Inc.Alpharetta, GA$160,000Level IICertified
Dec 24, 2025Sullivan & Cromwell LlpNew York, NY$225,000Level IICertified
Dec 23, 2025Rider Levett Bucknall Ltd.Washington, D.C., DC$148,034Level IVCertified - Withdrawn
Dec 23, 2025Nomura Securities International, Inc.New York, NY$165,000Level IIICertified - Withdrawn
Dec 23, 2025Aurora Energy Research LlcAustin, TX$111,050Level IICertified
Dec 23, 2025Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LlpSan Francisco, CA$310,000Level IICertified
Dec 23, 2025White & Case LlpNew York, NY$260,000Level IIICertified
Dec 23, 2025Edwards Capital Special Assets LpNew York, NY$150,000Level IICertified
Dec 23, 2025Blackrock Financial Management, Inc.Atlanta, GA$145,000Level IIICertified
Dec 23, 2025Stubbs Alderton & Markiles, LlpSherman Oaks, CA$116,000Level ICertified
Dec 22, 2025Cerity Partners Management LlcCatonsville, MD$98,259Level ICertified
Dec 22, 2025Pricewaterhousecoopers Advisory Services LlcNew York, NY$105,000Level ICertified
Dec 22, 2025Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale And Dorr LlpPalo Alto, CA$260,000Level IICertified
Dec 22, 2025Blackrock Investment Management, LlcSausalito, CA$132,000Level IICertified
Dec 22, 2025Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.New York, NY$225,000Level IICertified
Dec 22, 2025Blackrock Financial Management, Inc.New York, NY$145,000Level IICertified
Dec 22, 2025Knobbe, Martens, Olson & Bear, LlpIrvine, CA$200,000Level ICertified - Withdrawn
Dec 19, 2025Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & DickerLos Angeles, CA$175,000Level ICertified
Dec 19, 2025Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LlpMountain View, CA$310,000Level IICertified
Dec 19, 2025Evercore Partners Services East LlcNew York, NY$185,000Level IVCertified - Withdrawn
Dec 19, 2025Kpmg LlpLos Angeles, CA$88,000Level IICertified - Withdrawn
Dec 19, 2025Kpmg LlpChicago, IL$75,296Level ICertified - Withdrawn
Dec 18, 2025Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, LlpNew York, NY$225,000Level IICertified - Withdrawn
Dec 18, 2025Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, LlpNew York, NY$225,000Level IICertified - Withdrawn
Dec 18, 2025Rocky Mountain Institute, Inc.Boulder, CO$71,000Level ICertified - Withdrawn
Dec 18, 2025Evercore Partners Services East LlcNew York, NY$185,000Level IVCertified - Withdrawn
Dec 18, 2025Blackrock Financial Management, Inc.New York, NY$130,000Level IICertified
Dec 18, 2025Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LlpNew York, NY$365,000Level IIICertified
Dec 18, 2025Proskauer Rose LlpNew York, NY$365,000Level IVCertified
Dec 17, 2025Hico Management LlcPalo Alto, CA$100,000Level ICertified
Dec 17, 2025Nomura Securities International, Inc.New York, NY$160,000Level IIICertified
Dec 17, 2025Morgan Stanley Services Group Inc.New York, NY$150,000Level IICertified
Dec 17, 2025Db Global Technology, Inc.Cary, NC$120,000Level IICertified - Withdrawn
Dec 16, 2025D. E. Shaw & Co., L.P.New York, NY$190,000Level IICertified
Dec 16, 2025Apollo Management Holdings, L.P.New York, NY$135,500Level IICertified
Dec 16, 2025Mcdermott Will & Schulte LlpNew York, NY$365,000Level IVCertified
Dec 16, 2025Hudson Americas L.P.Dallas, TX$135,000Level IVCertified
Dec 16, 2025Moelis & Company Group LpLos Angeles, CA$175,000Level IICertified - Withdrawn

Role Specific Intelligence (FAQ)

Common questions and insights about the Associate role.

Are remote Associate jobs common?
There are strong remote capabilities, as 45.0% of these professionals log a worksite in a completely different state from their company.

What is the highest paying city for Associate professionals?
Professionals in this role see the highest compensation in Palo Alto, CA, where the median salary reaches $285,000.

Is it easy to get a Green Card as a Associate professional?
Yes, organizations generated 66 recent Green Card sponsorships for this field, processing these workers as long-term staff.

Where do most Associate candidates work on an H-1B?
With 18 recent sponsorships, Morgan Stanley Services Group Inc serves as the primary employer acquiring foreign talent for this specific field.

What is the average salary for Associate roles?
The median wage calculates to $170,000 for this profession, with junior candidates usually beginning near $115,000.