Ever wonder what the highest-paying jobs are that only require an associate’s degree? You’re not alone! With the cost of four-year degrees continuing to skyrocket, more and more people are looking into shorter and more affordable education paths that still lead to lucrative careers. The good news is there are plenty of options out there that can get you earning a great salary with just a two-year degree.
In this article, we’ll count down the top 10 highest-paying associate degree programs projected for 2024. From nursing to web development to dental hygiene and more, discover the best fields where you can get hired quickly after graduation and start raking in the big bucks with minimal schooling. The jobs on this list are in high demand and offer excellent return on investment for your tuition dollars, so read on to find the perfect profitable career path for you!
Introduction: The Most Lucrative Associate Degrees for 2024
In today’s economy, an associate degree can lead to a well-paying career. ###Some of the highest-paying associate degrees for 2024 may surprise you. Nursing, radiation therapy, and engineering technician degrees are in high demand and pay over $70,000 per year.
Nursing is a stable career with an aging population. Registered nurses with an ADN make a median salary of $75,000. You’ll provide essential care for patients and work with doctors and other healthcare professionals. With an associate’s in nursing, you can land an entry-level job and work your way up.
As a radiation therapist, you’ll treat cancer and other diseases using radiation treatments. Salaries average $83,000 for this fast-growing field. With a two-year radiologic science degree, you’ll be ready to start your career operating high-tech equipment like linear accelerators.
Engineering technicians build and test products using instructions from engineers. Making $73,000 on average, you’ll get hands-on experience with robotics, electronics, and more with an engineering technology associate’s degree. You’ll help design, develop, test, and manufacture equipment in various engineering fields.
An associate’s degree is an affordable path to a career with advancement opportunities and a salary that can support a comfortable lifestyle. In two years or less, you can gain skills and knowledge to land one of the highest-paying jobs an associate’s degree can offer.
#10 – Paralegal Studies
Discover the fast-growing field of paralegal studies. As a paralegal, you’ll assist lawyers in providing legal services.
The job outlook is bright. The paralegal field is growing much faster than average, with over 20,000 new jobs expected by 2024.
With an associate’s degree in paralegal studies, you can land an entry-level position at a law firm, corporate legal department or government agency.
The pay is competitive too. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for paralegals in the U.S. is over $50,000 a year.
Of course, the actual salary depends on factors like your level of education, years of experience, job responsibilities, and location. But in many areas, experienced paralegals earn $70,000 or more.
An associate’s degree will teach you the skills to hit the ground running as an entry-level paralegal, including legal research, document preparation, case management, and more. Coursework typically includes subjects like litigation, contracts, criminal law, civil procedure, legal writing, and ethics.
Many paralegals go on to become certified, which can lead to higher pay and more career opportunities. If you enjoy the work, a paralegal career can be a rewarding long-term choice.
#9 – Dental Hygiene
If you have excellent attention to detail and dexterity, a career as a dental hygienist could be rewarding. Dental hygienists clean teeth, check patients for signs of oral diseases or decay, and provide preventive dental care. They take X-rays, apply fluoride or sealants, and educate patients on oral health.
To become a dental hygienist, you’ll need an associate’s degree in dental hygiene from an accredited program. These programs usually take 3 years to complete and include both classroom and clinical work. After graduating, you’ll need to pass your state’s licensing exam to practice.
The job outlook for dental hygienists is fantastic. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of dental hygienists is projected to grow 11% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. And with a median pay of $76,220 per year, it’s easy to see why a career as a dental hygienist can be so rewarding.
#8 – Diagnostic Medical Sonography
As a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer, you’ll utilize ultrasound equipment to create images of internal body structures. These images help physicians diagnose medical conditions and monitor fetal development. Sonographers typically need an associate’s degree or postsecondary certificate in diagnostic medical sonography.
Sonographers earned a median pay of $75,920 in 2020 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment of sonographers is projected to grow 14% from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. Growth will be driven by an aging population and the increased use of ultrasound procedures.
To become a sonographer, you’ll need to complete an accredited program in diagnostic medical sonography, which usually takes about two years and results in an associate’s degree or postsecondary certificate. Coursework includes anatomy, medical ethics, and the physics of sound waves. You’ll also get hands-on training in an ultrasound lab. Most sonographers become certified by passing an exam from the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
With the aging population, diagnostic medical sonography is a fast-growing, well-paying field. An associate’s degree can launch you into an in-demand healthcare career helping physicians diagnose medical conditions. The rewards of the job go beyond the paycheck, allowing you to provide comfort to patients during what can be an anxious time.
#7 – Occupational Therapy Assistant
As an occupational therapy assistant, you’ll help patients of all ages who struggle with injuries, illnesses, disabilities or developmental delays regain independence and learn skills for daily living.### Tasks and Responsibilities Your day-to-day involves assisting occupational therapists in evaluating patients, developing and implementing treatment plans, and educating patients and their families. You’ll lead therapeutic activities designed to improve motor functions and daily living skills. This could include teaching patients how to adapt environments or use assistive technologies to facilitate greater independence.### Job Outlook
The job market for occupational therapy assistants is booming. Employment is projected to grow much faster than average over the next decade. The aging population and increased demand for rehabilitation and habilitation services is fueling job growth. Occupational therapy assistants can work in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and home health. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for occupational therapy assistants in the U.S. is over $60,000 per year.
An associate’s degree from an accredited occupational therapy assistant program is required for entry-level positions. Coursework typically takes two years and includes both classroom instruction and supervised fieldwork. All states require occupational therapy assistants to be licensed or certified.
Becoming an occupational therapy assistant can be a rewarding career choice if you want to help people overcome physical, developmental or social challenges to live life to the fullest. The job outlook is bright, the pay is competitive, and you can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives every single day.
#6 – Physical Therapist Assistant
As a physical therapist assistant, you’ll work directly under a licensed physical therapist to help patients recover from injuries and illnesses. It’s a fast-growing, rewarding field, and the pay is solid—assistants earn a median salary of over $58,000 per year.### Education To become a physical therapist assistant, you’ll need an associate’s degree from an accredited physical therapist assistant program. Coursework includes areas like anatomy, physiology, psychology, and ethics. You’ll also complete supervised clinical work, gaining hands-on experience assisting physical therapists.### Job Duties Your day-to-day duties may include helping patients perform therapeutic exercises, applying heat/cold treatments, using massage techniques, and helping patients walk or get around. You’ll work directly under a physical therapist, following the treatment plans they develop. It can be demanding work at times, but helping patients recover and regain mobility and independence can be extremely rewarding.
#5 – Radiation Therapy
Are you a caring person interested in the medical field? A career in radiation therapy could be rewarding. Radiation therapists operate the equipment used to deliver radiation treatments to cancer patients. With an associate’s degree and certification, you can start working in this growing career.### Job Duties As a radiation therapist, you’ll work directly with cancer patients to provide treatment. Using high-tech equipment like linear accelerators, you’ll deliver radiation to tumors while minimizing exposure to healthy tissues. You’ll also monitor patients during treatment, keep detailed records, and follow up to check on side effects. The job requires physical stamina, as you’ll be on your feet assisting patients. You’ll need to be detail-oriented and able to put patients at ease during treatment.
Career Outlook
The job outlook for radiation therapists is excellent. Employment is projected to grow faster than average over the next decade. As the population ages, the demand for cancer treatments like radiation therapy will increase. With experience, you can advance to become a senior radiation therapist or dosimetrist, who calculates radiation dosage. The median pay for radiation therapists in the U.S. is over $85,000 per year.
If you want to help cancer patients in a growing healthcare field, consider training to become a radiation therapist. An associate’s degree from an accredited program can prepare you for this rewarding career.
#4 – Nuclear Medicine Technology
As a nuclear medicine technologist, you’ll prepare and administer radioactive drugs for imaging and therapeutic procedures. These technologists operate sophisticated equipment like PET and CT scanners to create images of areas of a patient’s body. The demand for nuclear medicine technologists is high, and the pay is excellent, with an average salary of over $77,000 per year.
To become a nuclear medicine tech, you’ll need an associate’s degree from an accredited nuclear medicine technology program. Coursework typically includes anatomy, pathology, radiation safety and protection, and clinical training. You must also be licensed or certified, which requires passing an exam.
The job outlook for nuclear medicine technologists is very positive. Employment is projected to grow over 9% over the next ten years, much faster than average. An aging population and increasing demand for medical imaging and diagnostics are fueling job growth. There is also a shortage of nuclear medicine technologists, so job opportunities are abundant.
If you’re interested in a healthcare career with competitive pay and want to operate cutting-edge medical equipment, nuclear medicine technology could be an ideal choice. An associate’s degree and certification can open the door to this growing, rewarding field.
#3 – Respiratory Therapy
As a respiratory therapist, you’ll provide treatment and care to patients with heart and lung problems. Respiratory therapists earn a median pay of over $61,000 per year.
To become a respiratory therapist, you’ll need an associate’s degree in respiratory therapy from an accredited program. Respiratory therapy programs usually take about two years to complete and include courses in anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and respiratory care procedures. You’ll get hands-on experience in hospitals and clinics during supervised clinical rotations.
After earning your degree, you must pass an exam to become certified. Most states require respiratory therapists to be licensed or certified. With an aging population and increasing rates of respiratory conditions like COPD and asthma, the job outlook for respiratory therapists is excellent. The field is expected to grow much faster than average over the next several years.
If helping people breathe easier and live better lives appeals to you, a career as a respiratory therapist could be very rewarding. An associate’s degree and certification can open up many opportunities in this growing healthcare field.
#2 – Registered Nursing
Registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their family members. The median pay for RNs in the U.S. is over $73,000 per year.
To become an RN, you’ll need an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or nursing diploma. An ADN typically takes 2-3 years and includes supervised clinical work experience. After graduating, you must also pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to become licensed.
The job outlook for RNs is fantastic. Employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 7% from 2019 to 2029, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The aging population and increased focus on preventive care will drive demand for RNs in the coming decade.
If you enjoy helping others, have a caring personality, and are interested in a fast-growing, well-paying career in healthcare, registered nursing could be an excellent choice for you. An associate degree can open the door to this rewarding profession.
#1 – Cardiovascular Technology
Cardiovascular technologists are in high demand and earn excellent pay. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of cardiovascular technologists is projected to grow 17 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. The median pay for cardiovascular technologists in 2020 was $60,940 per year.
As a cardiovascular tech, you’ll assist physicians in diagnosing and treating cardiac (heart) and peripheral vascular (blood vessel) ailments. Using specialized equipment like electrocardiograms, echocardiograms, and stress testing systems, you’ll conduct tests to monitor the heart and blood vessels. You may work with patients who have heart disease or who need surgical interventions like angioplasties to improve blood flow.
An associate’s degree in cardiovascular technology or a related healthcare field typically takes about two years to complete. Coursework includes both classroom learning and hands-on clinical work. With the aging population, the demand for diagnoses and treatment of heart and vascular diseases will drive job growth in this field. If you want a fast-growing career with a short education and training period, cardiovascular technology could be an excellent choice.
Summary: Top-Paying Associate Degrees to Prepare for Now
Looking ahead to 2024, several associate degrees stand out as providing strong earning potential. According to recent reports, the top degrees in terms of salary and job opportunities are:
Nursing – With an aging population, nurses are in high demand. Registered nurses with an associate’s degree can earn a median pay of over $75,000 per year. Radiologic Technologists – Rad techs who operate MRI and CT scanners are projecting job growth of 9% over the next decade. The median salary for radiologic technologists is over $60,000 annually.
Computer Network Support Specialists – Help desk and network support roles are in demand, with 12% job growth forecast. An associate’s in computer network support can lead to a position earning around $62,000 per year.
Occupational Therapy Assistants – Work with occupational therapists to help patients regain independence. The job outlook is strong, and the median pay is over $60,000 per year with an associate’s degree.
Physical Therapist Assistants – Help physical therapists provide treatment to patients. With many baby boomers needing physical therapy services, job opportunities are abundant. The median pay for PT assistants is over $58,000 annually.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants – Support attorneys by conducting research and organizing files. An associate’s degree in paralegal studies can lead to a position earning a median salary of around $50,000.
In short, healthcare, technology, and legal programs at the associate’s level are poised to be rewarding paths for students over the next several years. With the right degree or certification, you can prepare now for a well-paying career that is also meaningful.
Conclusion
So there you have it – the top 10 highest-paying associate degree programs to consider in 2024 if you want to maximize your earning potential without having to complete a 4-year degree. Of course, your interests and aptitudes should play a role in determining what program is the best fit for you. But if income potential is a major factor in your decision, programs like nursing, radiation therapy, dental hygiene, nuclear medicine technology, and more can provide excellent 2-year paths to lucrative careers.
Just be sure to do your research on program quality, costs, and job prospects before committing. The initial investment of time and money can really pay off down the road. And who knows, you may even decide to continue your education later and turn that associate degree into a bachelor’s or beyond. The path you take is up to you – now you have the info you need to make an informed choice!