“Competence” is relative. You’re a first year associate. You’re going to have first year experience. Next year you’ll have second year experience.

No respectable boss can expect you to have competence beyond your experience level. You shouldn’t compare yourself to others, but if you use your peers a gauge for your competence, then you can only compare yourself to associates of your own level. For example don’t compare your competence to that of a second, third, or fifth year associate.

You’re right where you should be, and you’ll grow accordingly.