Did you know people with an associate’s degree on average make $887 a week?
Do you have your associates, or have you been thinking about going back to school to achieve yours?
We’re here to narrow down your search and share the top highest paying associate’s degrees in 2024. Keep reading, and you might be well on your way to a new career.
What is an Associates Degree?
A recent study shows that degree-holding workers fill 9 out of 10 jobs. Wouldn’t you want to better your chances by obtaining an associate’s degree?
An associate’s degree is what you achieve between your high school diploma or GED and a bachelor’s degree. An associate’s degree is typically a two-year program and has a 60-credit requirement.
To achieve your associate’s, you need to pick a field of education and your program.
If you want to learn more about associate degrees, you can check out a guide to associate degrees. Below you’ll find the top-paying associates degrees.
1Air-Traffic Controller
On average, an Air-Traffic Controller makes around $124,000 a year.
This position is in the aviation industry. It may sound familiar if you’re a frequent traveler; they direct traffic in the sky to ensure all flights are safe and run smoothly.
Some job responsibilities include:
- Provide takeoff and landing instructions to pilots
- Direct ground traffic around runways
- Keep pilots aware of weather conditions
A qualifying associate’s degree would require a program that is approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Your curriculum could include courses like National Airspace System, Aerodynamics, and or Aviation Physical Science.
2Radiation Therapist
Radiation Therapists make around $80,000 a year on average.
Radiation therapists treat cancer and other diseases through radiation treatments. This position is typically in hospitals but could be in a physician’s office and outpatient centers.
Potential job tasks for a radiation therapist could include:
- Explain treatment plans to patients
- Ensuring protection from radiation exposure
- Operate specialized machinery
- Monitor patients’ reactions to treatments
3Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Nuclear medicine technologists’ also make around $80,000 a year, with the potential to break into the $100,000s.
This may seem extreme for 2-year degrees, but you only need an associate’s degree to get started. A nuclear medicine technologist would be responsible for preparing and administering radioactive drugs to their patients for either therapy and or imaging.
Job tasks for nuclear medicine technologists include:
- Counseling patients
- Operating specialized medical equipment
- Consulting with doctors
- Keeping records of procedures and dosage
4Dental Hygienist
I bet you didn’t realize the person who cleans your teeth makes between $70,000 to $80,000 a year, did you?
If you choose a career in dental hygiene, you’ll be responsible for:
- Cleaning your patient’s teeth
- Explaining proper dental hygiene
- Assisting the dentist or orthodontist
The potential to grow with is career is enormous and expects to grow by 20% by 2026.
5Web Developer
As a web developer, you will be on average around the mid $60s to start but have the potential to make up to $125,000 a year.
If you take to technology and computers pretty quickly, then this one is probably for you. A web developer creates and codes websites for individuals or businesses. It’s a sought after skill.
Your tasks could include:
- Coding websites
- Graphic design
- Meet with clients and discuss their website goals
- Application testing
What Do You Think of the Highest Paying Associate Degrees?
Have you decided on your career path yet? All of the careers we discussed have the potential for growth if their impressive salaries weren’t enough to convince you.
When you start to pursue your new career, make sure you keep in mind the highest paying associate’s degrees.
