The Best Jobs that Only Require an Associate Degree
With the cost of tuition at four-year colleges and universities growing out of control, it is no surprise people are more interested in two-year degrees. Let’s take a look at how popular associate degrees are and how they are paying off.
28.2%: Associate degree holders who out-earn those with bachelor’s degrees
Median lifetime earnings by highest education attainment:
Less than high school $1,061,947
High school diploma $1,423,205
Some college/no degree $1,688,419
Associate degree $1,884,874
Bachelor’s degree $2,475,330
Master’s degree $2,915,170
Doctorate $3,549,283
Professional degree $3,981,483
Best Jobs That Only Require an Associate Degree
The following are the best-paying jobs for which an associate degree will be sufficient to get hired.
Radiation therapist
Median hourly earnings: $38.71
Growth through 2020: 20%
Dental hygienist
Median hourly earnings: $35.23
Growth through 2020: 38%
Nuclear medicine technologist
Median hourly earnings: $35.39
Growth through 2020: 19%
Nuclear technician
Median hourly earnings: $35.15
Growth through 2020: 14%
Diagnostic medical sonographer
Median hourly earnings: $33.23
Growth through 2020: 44%
Aerospace engineering and operations technician
Median hourly earnings: $29.99
Engineering technician
Median hourly earnings: $31.41
Growth through 2020: 4%
Respiratory therapist
Median hourly earnings:$28.03
Growth through 2020: 28%
Commercial pilot
Median hourly earnings: $47.25
Growth through 2020: 11%
Electrical and electronics repairer
Median hourly earnings: $25.38
Growth through 2020: 3%
Fashion designer
Median hourly earnings: $33.31
Aerospace engineering and operations technician
Median hourly earnings: $29.99
Paralegal
Median hourly earnings: $24.10
Growth through 2020: 18%
Registered nurse
Median hourly earnings: $33.40
Growth through 2020: 26%
Air traffic controller
Median hourly earnings: 55.77
Construction manager
Median hourly earnings: $43.30
Growth through 2020: 17%
Police
Median hourly earnings: 28.40
Growth through 2020: 7%
Emergency management director
Median hourly earnings: $32.45
Growth through 2020: 14%
Insurance claims adjuster
Median hourly earnings: $30.18
Growth through 2020: 3%
Chef
Median hourly earnings: $20.97
Related Resources:
Best Online Associates Degrees
Fastest Online Associates Degrees
Easiest Online Associates Degrees
Top 10 Paying Jobs With an Associate’s Degree
50 Highest Paying Associate Degree Jobs
How to Become an Air Traffic Controller: What Degree Do I Need?
Sources:
http://www.bls.gov
http://www9.georgetown.edu
http://www.economicmodeling.com
