The Best Jobs You Can Get With an Associate Degree

With just two years of higher education, you can pursue a high-paying career. Quicker, less expensive, and more targeted than a bachelor’s degree, an associate degree program can lead to higher-paying jobs than some four-year programs. Associate degrees can lead to skilled technical positions in medicine, engineering, or aerospace.

Science, computers, engineering, math, architecture, and healthcare offer some of the highest-paying opportunities. Discover the best jobs you can land with an associate degree in this guide.

Earning an associate degree can increase your employability and boost your income. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that, in 2024, people with high school diplomas had a 4.2% unemployment rate and earned a median weekly income of $930. By contrast, people with associate degrees had a 2.8% unemployment rate and earned a weekly median income of $1,099.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), in 2022, 76% of 25- to 34-year-olds with an associate degree worked full-time, while 73% of people in the same age group with only a high school diploma held full-time jobs.

Education-related employment and earning differentials become significant over a lifetime. The Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce stated that workers with an associate degree earned $2 million over their lifetime versus those with a high school diploma, who earned $1.6 million.

You can work in almost any industry with an associate degree.

In 2023, the Harvard Business Review identified a national trend called “the new-collar workforce.” New-collar workers possess valuable, market-ready skills but do not have — or need — a college degree. Gaining the skills or professional licensure needed for many of these roles does, however, often require an associate degree.

While some associate programs are stepping stones to a bachelor’s degree, many others can lead to employment immediately after graduation. These programs typically help you become a highly skilled technician or technologist.

For example, you could work as a nuclear technician, cardiovascular technologist, or aerospace engineering technician — roles that require you to work with an industry expert to implement, maintain, and repair valuable technology.

With an associate degree, you can secure a skilled technical job in medicine, engineering, or the aerospace industry. Graduates can serve as air traffic controllers, operate delicate sonography machines, or provide engineers with precise drawings. Many of these positions require precise technical skills and up-to-date knowledge of how the industry works.

There are many associate degree jobs that pay well, with some even paying six figures. Learn about the top five highest-paying careers for associate degree-holders below.

An air traffic controller directs aircraft traffic near airports to help ensure safe takeoffs, landings, and travel. Air traffic controllers also help minimize delays, using technology to manage many aircraft simultaneously.

Some specialized air traffic controllers direct the flow of non-aircraft traffic at the airport, while others manage airplanes’ entry or departure — a few controllers direct aircraft entering U.S. airspace.

Federal law requires all air traffic controllers to hold an Air Traffic Control Tower Operator Certificate. Generally, they also need an associate degree from a program approved by the Federal Aviation Administration’s Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative.

A nuclear technician assists physicists or other nuclear professionals by operating equipment for nuclear power generation and experiments. Most nuclear technicians work in power plants, ensuring safe and effective operations.

Operating technicians monitor system performance and safety and make adjustments and repairs as necessary. Radiation protection technicians monitor the level of radiation in a nuclear facility to help maintain safe facilities.

Nuclear technicians usually need an associate degree in nuclear technology or a related field that covers nuclear energy and radiation. While some employers may value certification, this field does not usually require state licensure.

A radiation therapist administers therapeutic doses of radiation prescribed to patients who have cancer or another disease. These medical professionals explain procedures, protect patients from inappropriate radiation, calibrate machines, provide therapy, and keep records.

Radiation therapists typically work as part of an oncology team that includes radiation oncologists, oncology nurses, medical physicists, and medical dosimetrists.

In most states, radiation therapists need licensure or certification through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ART). Certification requires an associate degree in radiation therapy from an ART-accredited program.

A nuclear medicine technologist treats patients with prescribed radioactive drugs called radiopharmaceuticals. These medications help physicians diagnose a patient’s condition. Some nuclear medicine technologists specialize in nuclear cardiology, while others may focus on computed tomography or positron emission tomography.

Although most technologists work in hospital settings, a few support nuclear medicine research or emergency response efforts after a radioactive disaster.

Licensure requirements vary by state, but in most states, you can earn your license by becoming certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists or the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board. Certification typically requires an associate degree in nuclear medicine technology.

A dental hygienist examines dental patients, conducts their preventative care, and educates them about effective oral hygiene. Under the supervision of a dentist, they can take dental X-rays, polish teeth, and remove stains.

Some states and tribal governments authorize dental hygienists with additional training to become dental therapists. These advanced dental care providers can do basic dental work, such as placing temporary crowns. A dental hygienist program usually takes three years.

In every state, dental hygienists must hold licensure, which involves graduating from an accredited dental hygiene program and passing both written and clinical licensure exams. Maintaining licensure demands extensive continuing education.

Some of the fastest-growing jobs in the country only require a two-year degree to get started. Many of these in-demand careers are in medicine or healthcare and require working under a licensed physician, physical therapist, or other healthcare provider. Consequently, states with older populations may experience exceptionally rapid growth in some of these careers.

Explore the top five fastest-growing jobs for associate degree-holders below.

A physical therapist assistant helps patients recovering from a physical injury or illness. Typically, they are involved in the direct care of patients under the supervision of a physical therapist. Their work can include doing exercises with patients, giving massages, or educating clients as part of a plan of care.

To become a physical therapist assistant, you need an associate degree from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. You should also hold state licensure, which requires passing the National Physical Therapy Exam.

An occupational therapy assistant works under an occupational therapist’s supervision to help clients develop, improve, and maintain everyday skills. For example, an occupational therapy assistant might engage in play activities with children with disabilities to help them meet developmental milestones or teach a client with Parkinson’s disease to use adaptive cooking tools.

Occupational therapy assistants need an associate degree from a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education and a state-issued license to practice, which requires passing the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy.

A veterinary technician conducts diagnostic tests on animals under the direction of a licensed veterinarian. For example, these professionals might perform a urinalysis on a pet, explain the results to the owner, and educate the owner on the veterinarian’s plan of care.

Veterinary technicians usually need an associate degree in veterinary technology from a program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Depending on the state, you may need to pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination.

A medical equipment repairer installs, maintains, and repairs the tools and devices used for patient care. They might work with hydraulic equipment, patient monitors, medical imaging equipment, or life-support devices. Sometimes, a medical equipment repairer may need to work on a machine while it is in use.

An associate degree in biomedical equipment technology or engineering can help you secure a job as a medical equipment repairer. Depending on your career goals, you may also pursue certification as a certified biomedical equipment technician, certified radiology equipment specialist, or certified laboratory equipment specialist.

A health information technologist stores, secures, maintains, and retrieves healthcare records. These documents may include patient data or epidemiological information used for research studies.

A medical registrar maintains a database of information about a particular disease, such as heart failure or cancer. They might assign classification codes and track survival rates among a sample population.

With an associate degree in healthcare or information technology, you could become a health information technologist or medical registrar. Consider programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management.

Associate degrees can serve as a point of entry for other fast-growing, high-paying jobs. Although you may need more education to advance in these fields, you can start with an associate degree, earning money, gaining experience, and pursuing higher education all at the same time.

Registered nurses provide medical care and patient education in hospitals, doctors’ offices, nursing homes, or public health settings. In 2023, more than 3.3 million Americans were working as nurses, with some moving on to serve as nurse midwives, nurse practitioners, or certified registered nurse anesthetists.

You can become a registered nurse by earning a diploma, associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree. Your diploma or degree must qualify you to take the NCLEX, a standardized test required for licensure. You can start as a registered nurse with an associate degree and then grow in your career with a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in nursing.

Forensic science technicians collect and analyze evidence from crime scenes. These professionals most often work in local government law enforcement agencies, but some work in state agencies or laboratories.

You may qualify for this career with an associate of applied science in forensic science, a two-year degree emphasizing data collection, analysis, and communication. You may specialize your education or career in a specific area of forensics, such as ballistics, handwriting, fingerprinting, or biochemistry. Depending on the job, you may need to pursue state licensure or crime scene analyst certification through the International Association for Identification.

Substance use counselors help people recover from addictions and improve their mental health. They can work in outpatient recovery centers, counseling offices, or inpatient mental health facilities.

Although most counseling careers require a master’s degree, you can become a licensed chemical dependency counselor or similar professional with an associate degree in addiction counseling in some states, including Texas, New York, California, and Ohio. However, you may need additional qualifications beyond your degree to meet state licensing requirements. Most states require at least a bachelor’s in addiction counseling to work in this field.