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The 30 highest-paying jobs you can get with an associate degree
Don’t have the time or money to get a bachelor’s degree?
It turns out that plenty of two-year associate degrees have a high return on investment.
According to the latest data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, these are the 30 highest-paying jobs that require only an associate degree.
Each has a median annual salary of at least $48,000.
This is an update of a story originally written by Vivian Giang.
30. Respiratory therapy technicians
They provide respiratory care under the direction of respiratory therapists and physicians.
Median annual wage (2015): $48,490
Projected job openings (through 2024): 1,100
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: None
29. Environmental engineering technicians
They modify, test, and operate equipment and devices used in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental problems like waste treatment and site remediation under the direction of engineering staff or scientist.
Median annual wage (2015): $48,650
Projected job openings (through 2024): 6,400
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: None
28. Paralegals and legal assistants
They do a variety of tasks to support lawyers like maintaining and organizing files, conducting legal research, and drafting documents.
Median annual wage (2015): $48,810
Projected job openings (through 2024): 82,700
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: None
27. Civil engineering technicians
They plan, design, and oversee construction and maintenance of structures and facilities under the direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.
Median annual wage (2015): $49,260
Projected job openings (through 2024): 21,600
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: None
26. Architectural and civil drafters
They prepare detailed drawings of architectural and structural features of buildings or drawings and topographical relief maps used in civil engineering projects like highways, bridges, and public works.
Median annual wage (2015): $50,710
Projected job openings (through 2024): 11,100
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: None
25. Radio, cellular, and tower equipment installers and repairers
They repair, install, or maintain mobile or stationary radio transmitting, broadcasting, and receiving equipment and two-way radio communications systems used in cellular telecommunications, mobile broadband, ship-to-shore, aircraft-to-ground communications, and radio equipment in service and emergency vehicles.
Median annual wage (2015): $51,660
Projected job openings (through 2024): 2,100
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
24. Electro-mechanical technicians
They install, troubleshoot, repair, and upgrade electronic and computer-controlled mechanical systems, like robotic assembly machines.
Median annual wage (2015): $53,340
Projected job openings (through 2024): 3,700
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: None
23. Mechanical drafters
They prepare detailed working diagrams of machinery and mechanical devices, including dimensions, fastening methods, and other engineering information.
Median annual wage (2015): $53,520
Projected job openings (through 2024): 7,800
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: None
22. Industrial-engineering technicians
They help industrial engineers implement designs to use personnel, materials, and machines in factories, stores, healthcare organizations, repair shops, and offices.
Median annual wage (2015): $53,780
Projected job openings (through 2024): 16,300
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: None
21. Mechanical-engineering technicians
They design, develop, test, and manufacture industrial machinery, consumer products, and other equipment.
Median annual wage (2015): $53,910
Projected job openings (through 2024): 12,800
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: None
20. Cardiovascular technologists and technicians
They use imaging technology to help physicians diagnose cardiac and blood vessel ailments in patients.
Median annual wage (2015): $55,170
Projected job openings (through 2024): 54,700
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: None
19. Physical-therapist assistants
They help patients who are recovering from injuries, illnesses, and surgeries regain movement and manage pain.
Median annual wage (2015): $55,170
Projected job openings (through 2024): 54,700
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: None
18. Geological and petroleum technicians
They provide support to scientists and engineers in exploring and extracting natural resources, like minerals, oil, and natural gas.
Median annual wage (2015): $55,610
Projected job openings (through 2024): 8,000
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
17. Radiologic technologists
They perform diagnostic imaging examinations, like X-rays, on patients.
Median annual wage (2015): $56,670
Projected job openings (through 2024): 54,400
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: None
16. Respiratory therapists
They care for patients who have trouble breathing like premature infants with undeveloped lungs or elderly patients who have diseased lungs. They also provide emergency care to patients suffering from heart attacks, drowning, or shock.
Median annual wage (2015): $57,790
Projected job openings (through 2024): 43,300
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: None
15. Occupational-therapy assistants
They aid work under the direction of occupational therapists in treating patients with injuries, illnesses, or disabilities through the therapeutic use of everyday activities.
Median annual wage (2015): $57,870
Projected job openings (through 2024): 23,600
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: None
14. Avionics technicians
They install, inspect, test, adjust, or repair avionics equipment, like radar, radio, navigation, and missile-control systems in aircraft or space vehicles.
Median annual wage (2015): $58,540
Projected job openings (through 2024): 3,100
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: None
13. Electrical and electronics drafters
They prepare wiring diagrams, circuit-board-assembly diagrams, and layout drawings used for the manufacture, installation, or repair of electrical equipment.
Median annual wage (2015): $59,520
Projected job openings (through 2024): 5,200
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: None
12. Electrical and electronics-engineering technicians
They help engineers design and develop computers, communications equipment, medical monitoring devices, navigational equipment, and other electrical and electronic equipment.
Median annual wage (2015): $61,130
Projected job openings (through 2024): 34,100
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: None
11. Computer-network-support specialists
They analyze, test, troubleshoot, and evaluate existing network systems, like local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), and internet systems, or a segment of a network system.
Median annual wage (2015): $62,250
Projected job openings (through 2024): 36,900
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: None
10. Web developer
They design, create, and modify websites.
Median annual wage (2015): $64,970
Projected job openings (through 2024): 58,600
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: None
9. Aerospace engineering and operations technicians
They operate and maintain equipment used in developing, testing, and producing new aircraft and spacecraft.
Median annual wage (2015): $66,180
Projected job openings (through 2024): 3,200
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: None
8. Magnetic-resonance-imaging technologists
They monitor patient safety and comfort and view images of areas being scanned to ensure quality of pictures.
Median annual wage (2015): $67,720
Projected job openings (through 2024): 9,800
Work experience: Less than five years
On-the-job training: None
7. Diagnostic medical sonographers
They use special imaging equipment that directs sound waves into a patient’s body to assess and diagnose various medical conditions.
Median annual wage (2015): $68,970
Projected job openings (through 2024): 27,500
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: None
6. Funeral-service managers
They plan, direct, or coordinate the services or resources of funeral homes.
Median annual wage (2015): $70,890
Projected job openings (through 2024): 7,400
Work experience: Less than five years
On-the-job training: None
5. Dental hygienists
They clean teeth, examine patients for oral diseases like gingivitis, and provide other preventative dental care.
Median annual wage (2015): $72,330
Projected job openings (through 2024): 70,300
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: None
4. Nuclear-medicine technologists
They use a scanner to create images of various areas of a patient’s body. They prepare radioactive drugs and administer them to patients undergoing the scans.
Median annual wage (2015): $73,360
Projected job openings (through 2024): 4,200
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: None
3. Radiation therapists
They check equipment, observe patients’ reactions to treatment, and document sessions.
Median annual wage (2015): $80,220
Projected job openings (through 2024): 6,200
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: None
2. Nuclear technicians
They assist physicists, engineers, and other professionals in nuclear research and nuclear production.
Median annual wage (2015): $80,260
Projected job openings (through 2024): 2,800
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
1. Air-traffic controller
They monitor and direct the movement of aircraft.
Median annual wage (2015): $122,950
Projected job openings (through 2024): 7,500
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training
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