10 Highest-Paying Jobs With an Associate Degree

You can earn an associate degree in two years, saving on tuition and starting your career sooner than with a four-year undergraduate degree. Many use an associate as a stepping stone to a bachelor’s degree, but there are plenty of high-paying careers you can get with just an associate degree.

If you’re looking for outstanding value, the careers below offer median annual salaries 36%-186% above the national median salary of $48,060, putting you on a lucrative career path in as little as two years.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the highest-paying associate degrees are primarily healthcare-related. However, you can also find high-paying careers in transportation and the physical sciences.

The following occupations all saw a median annual salary of over $60,000 in 2023.

Air traffic controllers coordinate aircraft movement near airports and between altitude sectors and control centers. In this aviation role, you will ensure that planes, helicopters, and other aircraft maintain safe distances. You will also inform pilots about weather, runway closures, and other critical information.

The BLS reports that the top 10% of air traffic controllers earned an estimated annual salary of $200,990 as of May 2023. The states with the highest average salaries for air traffic controllers are New Hampshire, Virginia, Minnesota, Illinois, and Colorado, where average salaries range from $152,580-$163,480.

As a nuclear technician, you may work with other scientists such as engineers, physicists, and engineers in nuclear power generation activities that provide essential energy to your community and state. Responsibilities include quality control for nuclear testing, researching equipment, and monitoring radiation levels.

The BLS reports that the top 10% of earners had an estimated annual salary of $128,700 in May 2023. The states with the highest average salaries for nuclear technicians include Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, North Carolina, and New Mexico.

As a radiation therapist, you’ll administer doses of radiation to patients with serious diseases such as cancer. Your responsibilities may include explaining treatment plans, protecting patients from radiation exposure, and determining the correct positioning to administer treatment.

The BLS reports that the top 10% of radiation therapists earned an estimated annual salary of $136,910 in May 2023. The states reporting the highest average salaries for radiation therapists include Washington, California, Nebraska, New York, and Massachusetts.

As a nuclear medicine technologist, you will be responsible for preparing radioactive drugs and administering them to patients. You may provide technical support to physicians or researchers treating patients or participate in research investigating applications of radioactive drugs.

In May 2023, there were 17,800 nuclear medicine technologists working in the U.S. The BLS reports that the top 10% of earners had an estimated annual salary of $123,910.

Dental hygienists perform cleanings, apply sealants to protect patients’ teeth, carry out dental X-rays, and examine patients for a variety of oral diseases. As a dental hygienist, you may also be responsible for educating your patients on maintaining proper oral care.

All states require dental hygienists to be licensed and hold an associate degree. The BLS reports that the estimated annual salary for the top 10% of dental hygienists was $118,400 in May 2023. Dental hygienists who earn near this salary level likely have years of experience and live in states with a higher cost of living.

As a diagnostic medical sonographer, you will operate special equipment to create images or conduct medical sonography tests. You will work closely with physicians and surgeons, who view the images and assess and diagnose medical conditions.

The BLS reports that the estimated annual salary for the top 10% of diagnostic medical sonographers was $116,300 in May 2023. Diagnostic medical sonographers who earn upwards of six figures likely have years of experience and additional sonography certifications.

As an MRI technologist, you will learn to operate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners to create diagnostic images. You can expect to work with patients to perform imaging and with physicians to evaluate those images. You may also be responsible for maintaining detailed patient records.

The BLS reports that the top 10% of MRI technologists earned an estimated $112,420 annually as of May 2023. States with the highest median salaries for MRI technologists include California, Washington, and Oregon.

Respiratory therapists help patients who are struggling to breathe. They treat conditions including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and bronchitis, among other issues. With the exception of Alaska, all states require respiratory therapists to hold a license. Additionally, some employers prefer you to hold a bachelor’s degree in respiratory therapy.

The BLS reports that the estimated annual salary for the top 10% of respiratory therapists was $104,480 as of May 2023. The top-paying states for respiratory therapists include California, New York, and Washington.

As an aerospace engineering and operations technologist or technician, you will work with aerospace engineers to construct and manage equipment related to aircraft and spacecraft. You’ll test, maintain, and install parts, ensuring the safety of these vehicles and systems.

The top 10% of these professionals earned an estimated annual salary of $113,970 as of May 2023, according to the BLS. Some schools, such as Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, offer programs with direct pathways to this role.

If you have an interest in helping counsel families and the ability to handle sensitive situations, a career as a funeral home manager could be a good fit. This role involves consulting with families to discuss funeral details, keeping track of sensitive records, and delivering death certificates to legally authorized people.

Depending on your location, years of experience, and specific role, you could earn six figures in this role. The top 10% of funeral home managers earned an estimated annual salary of $131,360 as of May 2023, according to the BLS.