- Specific Job Requirements
- Jobs That Pay Over 200K
- Jobs That Pay Over 300K
- Jobs That Provide Housing
- Jobs That Change The World
- Jobs Working With Animals
- Jobs Working With Babies
- Jobs With Dead Bodies
- Jobs In Nature
- Jobs With Tips
- Jobs That Require Travel
- Jobs That Don't Require Standing
- Jobs That Make People Happy
- Jobs For Student Loan Forgiveness
- Jobs That Use Math
- Food Sustainability Jobs
- Social Work Jobs
- Cash Jobs
- Under The Table Jobs
- Associate Degree Jobs
- Liberal Arts Degree Jobs
Jobs you can get with an associate degree are more prevalent than ever. While some jobs might require a four-year bachelor’s degree, there are plenty of high-paying associate degree jobs that only require two years of college to get.
If you’re a student considering what step to take next in your educational journey, we’ve put together a list of the best jobs you can get with an associate degree. This list of associate degree jobs should show you that your career options and salary potential aren’t limited by an associate degree.
Key Takeaways:
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The most common associate degrees that you can get are associate in arts (AA), associate in science (AS), and associate in applied science (AAS).
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There are thousands of jobs that open up to you with just an associate degree, and plenty of high-paying associate degree jobs.
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Associate degrees normally require two years to complete, but there are some programs that might allow you to complete it sooner.
Highest-paying associate degree jobs
What jobs can you get with an associate degree? Check out the highest-paying associate degree jobs below to find out:
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Average Salary: $81,149 per year
Jobs Available: 41,804
Job Growth Rate: 9%You can become a radiation therapist fairly easily with an associate degree (associate in applied science, more specifically). In fact, at least 40% of those currently working in the field got in with just an associate degree.
Generally working as a part of an oncology team in the hospital, radiation therapists provide radiation treatment and therapy to patients on behalf of their oncologist’s recommendations. On average, this job is one of the highest-paid associate degree jobs on this list.
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Average Salary: $78,399 per year
Jobs Available: 10,104
Job Growth Rate: 11%Being a Dental Hygienist is well worth a two-year degree…if seeing the inside of someone’s mouth doesn’t gross you out. These health professionals can start earning high salaries right after finishing their associate degree in dental hygiene.
And the data backs this up — a considerable 70.8% of dental hygienists only have an associate degree. That’s why you’ll often hear that dental hygiene is one of the best associate degrees to jump-start your career and salary potential.
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Average Salary: $72,703 per year
Jobs Available: 34,350
Job Growth Rate: 7%It’s more than possible to get into a high-paying career as a nuclear medicine technologist with an associate degree; around 38.8% of those currently working in the field have an associate degree as their highest level of education.
Nuclear medicine technologists specialize in the use of radiopharmaceuticals to diagnose and heal diseases. Interpersonal skills are a must for this career, as these professionals work directly with patients to analyze their medical history and administer treatments.
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Average Salary: $72,539 per year
Jobs Available: 134,772
Job Growth Rate: 13%Web developers do this by code, design, and manage the technical aspects of a website. These professionals are well-paid, and with the immense growth of technology and online shopping, it’s no wonder there are over 130,000 jobs currently available in this field.
An associate degree in web design will help develop the knowledge and skills needed, while also getting you relevant experience in the field. There’s also huge earning potential here, making it one of the best-paid jobs you can get with an associate degree.
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Average Salary: $66,143 per year
Jobs Available: 82,829
Job Growth Rate: -7%Computer programming is one of the easier computer-related fields to get into, with 22.2% of those currently working in the field listing an associate degree as their highest level of education. Like any other technology field, talent and experience can easily overcome the need for a higher degree.
Experts in the design and creation of software programs, computer programmers spend a lot of their time writing code, maintaining operating systems, troubleshooting system errors, and more. It’s one of the most high-demand and high-paying jobs for an associate degree in computer science.
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Electronics Engineering Technician
Average Salary: $66,001 per year
Jobs Available: 51,953
Job Growth Rate: 2%If you like building things and learning all about unique electronic gadgets, becoming an electronic engineering technician might just be the perfect job for you. In this associate degree job, you’ll design and develop computers, communications equipment, medical monitoring devices, navigational equipment, and more.
56.8% of electronic engineering technicians have an associate degree as their highest level of education. And there’s room for growth from this role to more senior positions, leading to higher pay with just an associate degree.
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Average Salary: $65,636 per year
Jobs Available: 21,598
Job Growth Rate: -4%Don’t worry, this role won’t turn you into Spiderman, but working as a nuclear reactor technician is one of the best-paid associate of science degree jobs. In fact, 45.2% of those currently working in the field have an Associate degree as their highest level of education, making this job achievable for anyone with a two-year education.
Overall, nuclear reactor technicians aid in nuclear energy production, as well as assist other nuclear operation and research professionals. If you’re a skilled mathematician and know your way around a computer, this job could be a great fit for you.
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Medical Sonographer
Average Salary: $64,986 per year
Jobs Available: 23,628
Job Growth Rate: 14%Sonography is one of the fastest-growing fields on this list, and it’s easy for job seekers to fill in for that demand, since the job only requires an associate degree.
Medical sonographers create images of body organs and tissues to help diagnose medical conditions. With this job, in particular, you can make an average of $31.24 per hour without getting up close and personal with blood and guts.
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Average Salary: $64,336 per year
Jobs Available: 8,346
Job Growth Rate: 1%While this job requires a few tests and certifications, such as the Air Traffic Standardized Aptitude Test (AT-SAT) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), 27.6% of air traffic controllers only needed an associate degree to get into the field.
Air traffic controllers are just as responsible as pilots for every safe flight that goes in and out of an airport. On a regular day, someone with this job will coordinate aircraft flights, create routes, and communicate with pilots throughout the journey.
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Average Salary: $63,827 per year
Jobs Available: 361,349
Job Growth Rate: 12%Nurses commonly undertake nursing education programs, many of which fall under the umbrella of an associate degree. In fact, 45.6% of those currently working in the field have an associate as their highest level of education.
With over 361,000 jobs available in the U.S., registered nurses are one of the most high-demand associate degree jobs out there. These professionals educate patients and provide them with care, a job that easily allows them to work almost anywhere across the country.
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Mechanical Engineering Technologist
Average Salary: $59,090 per year
Jobs Available: 70,278
Job Growth Rate: -1%While some workers need a bachelor’s degree to get into this field, a significant 35.2% of mechanical engineering technologists only needed an associate degree. Generally, a degree in mechanical or electrical engineering can easily get you into the field.
Mechanical engineering technologists design, build, and test machines in manufacturing or production plants. It’s a job that has a balanced mix of working with others and working independently.
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Average Salary: $54,453 per year
Jobs Available: 23,127
Job Growth Rate: 3%41.4% of avionics technicians currently employed list an associate degree as their highest level of education. Overall, the most important qualifications to have for this line of work are FAA exams and trade school experience.
Avionics technicians repair, maintain and inspect the electrical systems in aircraft. These professionals conduct testing and inspections for aircraft on a regular basis, so travelers are safe in the sky.
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Average Salary: $54,067 per year
Jobs Available: 27,572
Job Growth Rate: 21%With a projected job growth rate of 21% over the next decade, becoming a respiratory therapist over the next few years is a great choice. Those who work in this field generally work together with others in the healthcare industry, analyzing, diagnosing, and assessing lung capability and capacity.
Plus, nearly 70% of those currently employed in this field only needed an associate degree to start working. That’s the vast majority, meaning that you can land a high-paying career as a respiratory therapist fairly fast and without much hassle.
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Environmental Engineering Technician
Average Salary: $53,336 per year
Jobs Available: 51,456
Job Growth Rate: 9%Environmental engineering is an excellent field to get into with just an associate degree. Especially if you’re passionate about protecting the environment.
Those working in this role generally aid environmental engineers in developing indoor and outdoor solutions. This includes ways to control, prevent and remedy the damage caused by pollution.
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Average Salary: $51,912 per year
Jobs Available: 54,573
Job Growth Rate: 5%Overall, 36.0% of those currently working as a computer network specialist got in with an associate degree, meaning that with the right experience, a two-year program can get you started on this career path.
Computer network specialists play a crucial role in any IT department, using their expertise to test, evaluate and maintain existing networks, as well as troubleshoot network and internet problems. If you’re exploring jobs for an associate degree in computer science you can do a lot worse than becoming a computer network specialist.
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Police Officer
Average Salary: $55,090 per year
Jobs Available: 665,380
Job Growth Rate: 7%To become a police officer you typically need an associate degree in criminal justice.
The primary duty of a police officer is to protect and serve the community. They are employed by each state and are there to provide assistance when needed. The job can be physically and emotionally demanding, as well as very dangerous. But if you’re looking for criminal justice associate degree jobs, police officers fit the bill.
Understanding different associate degrees
If you haven’t gone for your Associate degree yet, it’s important to know the advantages and disadvantages of different degrees. These are the most common Associate’s degrees offered to applicants:
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Associate in Arts (AA). A basic, all-encompassing degree. Students undertaking an AA program can expect to take a variety of courses, including history, art, literature, music, business, writing, and communication classes.
The main benefit of an AA degree is its broad nature, making it easy for a graduate to pursue a variety of career options. The main downside of an AA degree is the same feature, as some higher-paying jobs might prefer a more honed degree.
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Associate in Science (AS). A slightly more specific degree, an AS program allows students to take more science-related courses.
These degrees are excellent for anyone who wants to pursue a career in healthcare, technology, or several other popular fields. The main downside of this degree is that it’s still fairly broad while also limiting your career options.
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Associate in Applied Science (AAS). A great choice for higher-paying jobs, an AAS program is a specific education path that centers around a single career field. Common examples include Accounting, Web development & design, Nursing, and Paralegal degrees.
The main benefit of this degree is that it can launch you directly into a career after you graduate, while the main downside is that it also locks you into that career.
Associate degree jobs FAQ
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Are associate’s degrees worthless?
No, associate’s degrees are not worthless. The fact is, you can find a career that pays over $80,000 per year with an associate degree, which makes it well worth the cost. There are also thousands of other jobs that will open up to you once you have the degree.
Another great factor of an associate degree is that it allows you to specialize in your skillset. You can go for anything from an Associate in Arts to an Associate in Science. Whatever field you choose to go into, there’s probably a degree that correlates with it.
And finally, associate degrees can also bring you closer to a future goal. If you don’t have the money or time to get a bachelor’s degree, an associate degree can be a great option. Even if you can’t get the job you want right away, you’ll be making progress toward your goal and saving money.
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What is the easiest associate degree to get?
There is no easiest associate degree job. However, any career that only requires an Associate in Arts degree could be considered easier than some others.
Here are some examples of jobs you can get with an AA degree: Production assistant, Pastry chef, Marketing assistant, Painter, Human resources assistant, Esthetician, Carpenter, Web designer, or Social media manager.
While none of these jobs is inherently the easiest, they may be easier to get into than other Associate degree careers.
As far as availability, the Registered Nurse job has the most job openings. There are over 300,000 positions open across the country, which means this job can be incredibly easy to get into. The only catch is that the training you’ll need to become a Nurse can be quite rigorous.
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Can I get a degree in one year?
Yes, you can get a degree in one year. The normal length of time required to complete an Associate degree is two years, but there are some programs that might allow you to complete it sooner.
This is because you typically need 60 credits spread across four quarters to earn your degree, but if you can earn those 60 credits in less than four quarters, you’re good to graduate. Therefore, programs that allow you to take six quarters’ worth of classes in just four quarters’ time will have you graduating sooner.
When in doubt, research information about the program or college before you get started and discuss with your adviser if this is something you’re interested in.
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Is an Open University degree respected?
Yes, an Open University (OU) degree is respected, especially by employers. While it might not be the same as earning a Harvard Law degree, there is nothing wrong with Open Universities.
In fact, many employers appreciate seeing an OU degree on a resume for a few reasons. First and foremost, it shows that you have an education and the skillset that corresponds with that education.
Another reason why employers like to see OU degrees is because of how the courses are taught. Due to the fact that you have to complete an OU degree in your own time, on your own schedule, employers associate that with grit, determination, and motivation to do work on your own.
Final thoughts
Of course, it’s important to note that there are several other fulfilling jobs you can have with an Associate degree. From teaching to sales, getting a two-year education is usually well worth the cost.
Additionally, remember that even if you don’t start with as high of a salary as you want, many of these jobs will continue to offer higher and higher pay as you become more experienced. Plus, you can always get a Bachelor’s degree later on using the credits you’ve already earned.
With that in mind, get out there and start working toward your new career.
- Specific Job Requirements
- Jobs That Pay Over 200K
- Jobs That Pay Over 300K
- Jobs That Provide Housing
- Jobs That Change The World
- Jobs Working With Animals
- Jobs Working With Babies
- Jobs With Dead Bodies
- Jobs In Nature
- Jobs With Tips
- Jobs That Require Travel
- Jobs That Don't Require Standing
- Jobs That Make People Happy
- Jobs For Student Loan Forgiveness
- Jobs That Use Math
- Food Sustainability Jobs
- Social Work Jobs
- Cash Jobs
- Under The Table Jobs
- Associate Degree Jobs
- Liberal Arts Degree Jobs
Author
Jack Flynn is a writer for Zippia. In his professional career he’s written over 100 research papers, articles and blog posts. Some of his most popular published works include his writing about economic terms and research into job classifications. Jack received his BS from Hampshire College.
