Editor’s note: This story originally appeared in penny hoarder.
Let’s face it—four years of college isn’t for everyone. Some people would rather learn specific skills than spend two years taking general core courses. Most students fear at least four years of student loan debt.
If that’s you, and you’re on the fence about a four-year degree, you do have another option—an associate’s degree.
Earning an associate’s degree can get you into the workforce faster and provide ample opportunities for a well-paying and fulfilling career. So The Penny Hoarder found work available after completing a two-year associate’s degree program.
It’s no surprise that health care jobs make up half of this list, since as the population ages, We need a lot of this work in the coming years.
High-paying jobs with associate’s degrees also have grown significantly, according to the data. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. We also included the states with the highest concentration of each job.
1. Radiation Therapist
Median salary: $98,300 (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Radiation therapists are the operators behind the machines that shoot X-rays at cancer cells in patients’ bodies. With an associate’s degree and professional certifications, this career can thrive in a variety of health care settings, including hospitals, medical offices, and outpatient centers.
American Registry of Radiologic Technologistsis the organization that certifies radiation therapists, and if you’re interested in this career, there are plenty of resources to help you know where to start.
It’s worth noting that some radiation therapists earn higher salaries by pursuing a bachelor’s degree, thereby increasing the median salary for the entire profession.
Where the job is: Texas, California, Ohio, Florida, New York
2. Medical Diagnostic Sonographer
Median salary: $84,470 (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
It sounds like a mouthful, but basically, diagnostic medical sonographers are responsible for expecting mothers’ first look at their babies.
They also operate imaging equipment to check for muscle and tendon tears, the presence of breast cancer, or almost any other internal problem in the body.
If you want to get into this field, there are nearly 700 viable programs for you to choose from. Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
Where the job is: California, Texas, Florida, New York, North Carolina
3. Occupational therapy assistant
Median salary: $67,010 (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Occupational therapy assistants have one main job—helping you return to work and a normal life.
These careers are based in hospitals, nursing homes, and home health care facilities. Their services may also be provided by local governments. There is a lot of flexibility when you are looking for a job.
As for where to start, check out Centralized Application Service for Occupational Therapy and Occupational Therapy Assistants Find leads on schools near you.
Where the job is: Texas, Ohio, California, Illinois, Florida
4. Dental Hygienist
Median salary: $87,530 (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
The dental hygienist is the workhorse of any dental office. They’ll clean your teeth, take X-rays, and chat with you while you’re drooling.
Like the associate degree jobs mentioned earlier, this job requires certification after graduation, and some students also choose to pursue a bachelor’s or master’s degree. American Association of Dental Hygienists If you’re interested, you can find resources on where to start.
Where the job is: California, Texas, Florida, New York, Ohio
5. Web Developer
Median salary: $84,960 (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
The first non-healthcare job on the list is also the one with the lowest barrier to entry and the most flexibility: web developer.
Web developers design and build websites just like the one you’re browsing right now. although you can Learn to code cheaplychoosing a community college for an associate degree can provide you with internship opportunities and help you build your portfolio.
because there is There are so many resources out there To teach yourself the basics of web development, you may want to take a few classes to get your feet wet before pursuing a two-year degree.
Where the job is: California, New York, Texas, Florida, Washington
6. Physical Therapist Assistant
Median salary: $64,080 (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Physical therapist assistants are support staff who help people get back to their best form.
This job involves ensuring patient safety while administering physical therapy and collecting patient progress data.
Approved by the Accreditation Council for Physical Therapy Education 661 schools in the united states
Where the job is: Texas, Ohio, Florida, California, Pennsylvania
7. Cardiovascular technologist or technician
Median salary: $66,170 (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
These combined fields all represent health care workers who specialize in diagnosing and treating heart and blood vessel problems.
Cardiovascular technologists are literal lifesavers. They are part of the team that treats heart disease and help install stents and pacemakers. Technicians perform stress tests and electrocardiograms.
Like most health care jobs, they require Earn certification upon graduation.
Where the job is: Texas, Florida, California, New York, Georgia
8. Respiratory Therapist
Median salary: $77,960 (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Respiratory therapists help patients achieve a basic life function: breathing.
They care for everyone from babies to the elderly and assist doctors in emergencies such as drowning or heart disease.
According to the agency, demand for these jobs is always high and the careers are stable. American Respiratory Care Association.
Look at this beautiful map Compare the respiratory therapy programs at each school.
Where the job is: California, Texas, Florida, Ohio, New York
9. Geology and petroleum technician
Median salary: $53,440 (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
When it comes to researching and extracting natural resources, these workers do almost all the work. They collect samples for scientists to test, record data, install laboratory and field equipment, monitor wells, and even conduct scientific testing themselves.
Once you find a school, you will choose most Science and Mathematics Courses Complete your degree.
Where the job is: Texas, California, Oklahoma, Colorado, Tennessee
10. Radiographer
Median salary: $73,410 (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Radiology technicians maintain X-ray equipment, take X-rays on patients, and record the results.
But don’t think they’re just some robot jockeys—they have to know everything there is to know about human anatomy, radiation safety, and patient care.
this Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) can help you find an accredited program in your area. As with other health care jobs, certification is required after graduation.
Where the job is: California, Texas, New York, Florida, Pennsylvania
11. Paralegal
median salary: $60,970 (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Paralegals and legal assistants do a lot of the legwork and legal research to help attorneys complete their work and build cases. This may include gathering facts and evidence, organizing documents, and drafting letters.
To become a paralegal, you will need an associate’s degree and a certificate in paralegal studies from an American Bar Association-approved paralegal education program.
Some companies may require a bachelor’s degree, so make sure you understand the requirements before applying.
where is the job: California, New York, Florida, Texas, Illinois
12. Funeral service personnel
median salary: $60,580 (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
If you don’t mind the nature of the job, you could make a good career funeral service personnel. This is a special person job because your clients will be strangers who are dealing with the death of a loved one.
You may need an associate’s degree in funeral service or a mortuary science education program to enter this career. Courses may cover topics such as ethics, grief counseling, funeral services and business law.
this American Funeral Service Education Council Provide accreditation for these programs.
where is the job: California, Florida, New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania
13. Aircraft technician/mechanic
median salary: $75,020 (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
These specialized mechanics perform maintenance, inspections and repairs on aircraft.
Most aircraft mechanics earn an associate’s degree before receiving professional certification for the job.
Some mechanics are certified through Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Approved Maintenance Technician School. Others study on the job or in the military.
where is the job: Texas, Florida, California, Oklahoma, Georgia
14. Air traffic controller
median salary: $137,380 (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Stay in the aviation industry, which is the highest paying associate degree job on the list.
Air traffic controllers monitor and direct air traffic and ground traffic at airports. They also communicate with pilots and organize arrivals and departures. This is just the tip of the iceberg of what these professionals do every day.
Candidates must possess at least an associate’s degree before becoming certified through the Air Traffic Institute Training Initiative (AT-CTI) program.
These programs offer two- and four-year degrees and teach air traffic control and aviation management. For in-state residents, the annual cost is approximately $6,000.
Where the job is: Florida, California, Texas, Virginia, Georgia
15. Medical Equipment Technician
Median salary: $60,670 (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
These equipment technicians repair, adjust, install and test patient care equipment.
Employers prefer candidates with an associate’s degree in biomedical technology or engineering.
Technicians working with less complex equipment may only require on-the-job training, while those looking to upgrade to more complex equipment may require a bachelor’s degree.
Where the job is: California, Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Ohio
