These 10 High-Paying Jobs Only Need an Associate’s Degree
Written by
Jake Safane
Edited by
Zuri Anderson
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Earning a college diploma increases the average worker’s earnings, but you don’t necessarily need a four-year degree to get a good job. In many cases, you can find high-paying work with a two-year associate’s degree.
Research from Resume Genius finds that the following high-paying jobs often have strong growth prospects and often only require an associate’s degree rather than a bachelor’s degree.Â
High-Paying Jobs That Only Need an Associate’s Degree
Technically, the two nuclear roles have slightly negative job growth prospects through 2033, but these can still be good jobs, and it’s possible that with advancements like AI requiring more energy, nuclear will end up growing.
Also note that there may be specific training or licensing requirements for these different roles listed below, even if the main educational background requirement is an associate’s degree:
| Role | Median Annual Salary |
| Air traffic controller | $144,580 |
| Nuclear technician | $104,240 |
| Radiation therapist | $101,990 |
| Nuclear medicine technologist | $97,020 |
| Dental hygienist | $94,260 |
| Diagnostic medical sonographer/ Cardiovascular technologist | $82,570 |
| Respiratory therapist | $80,450 |
| Aerospace engineering and operations technician | $79,830 |
| Aircraft and avionics equipment mechanic/technician | $79,140 |
| Radiologic and MRI technologist | $78,980 |
Figuring Out the Right Path
As these examples show, there are many different types of high-quality jobs you can find with an associate’s degree. But how can you choose which path to pursue?
“There are two key factors to consider when contemplating a career path,” said Julia Stegman, a certified career coach and author of Discover Meaningful Work.
One is “steering yourself toward positions and industries with strong growth” to give yourself a tailwind, she said. “Begin by exploring positions which are in high demand, and which can’t be easily replaced by automation or artificial intelligence.”Â
The other factor to consider is how “devoting time to a career you enjoy and that plays to your strengths will have an immeasurable impact on the quality of your life,” said Stegman.
In addition to the aforementioned jobs, there are many other roles that can be obtained with an associate’s degree or some other schooling besides a bachelor’s degree.Â
“For example, I encourage job seekers to explore the trades — electricians, plumbers, construction managers, HVAC technicians — to name a few. There are over a million trade jobs that are unfilled, and these jobs are critical for the U.S. economy,” said Stegman.
But even if you find a great job with an associate’s degree or other certifications, don’t necessarily assume your education is permanently complete.
“To ensure optimal marketability and earning potential, embrace a mindset of continuous learning. For example, the trades are the least likely professions to be replaced by artificial intelligence. However, AI could be an incredible tool to help troubleshoot situations more quickly, and thereby, help you increase your earning power,” said Stegman.Â
“So learning how to optimize AI could be a good investment of your time. Once you decide on a profession that you enjoy and that plays to your strengths, receiving ongoing training or certifications could be much more enjoyable than other education you may have experienced,” she added.
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