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
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