High-Paying Jobs You Can Get With An Associate Degree
Simply Hired Staff
Many people think that you need a bachelor’s degree from a four-year college to break into a high-paying field of work. But that’s simply not true. Here are five jobs that you can get with an associate degree that pay more than $50,000 per year.
Registered nurses with two-year degrees make an average salary of $66,000 per year. This educational background ensures that candidates have familiarity with courses in adult and family health, psychiatric nursing, pharmacology, human development and anatomy and physiology.
Position Requirements:
- Graduate of a registered nursing program
- Current RN License
- Specialties may apply to different positions
Mechanical Engineering Technician
Mechanical engineering technicians earn an average salary of $51,000 in a wide variety of manufacturing and development industries. This growing field requires an associate’s degree in an engineering discipline with a heavy focus on mathematics, physics and lab work.
Position Requirements:
- Associate’s degree in a related technical specialty
- May require familiarity with specific engineering programs and methods
- Specialties may apply to different positions
Apply to mechanical engineering technician jobs
If you enjoy working at the intersection of airplanes and communication technology, you may be interested in the $122,500 annual salary that comes with an associate’s degree in air traffic control. This degree must be supplemented with a 12-week training program from the Federal Aviation Administration, and you’ll need to live near an airport to grow your career.
Position Requirements:
- Associate’s degree in air traffic control
- 12-Week Federal Aviation Administration training program graduate
- Military experience a plus
Apply to air traffic controller jobs
Dental Hygienists provide a variety of patients services inside dentist offices, including teeth cleaning, patient examinations and instructing patients in preventative dental care. With an associate’s degree in dental hygiene, dental hygienists can earn an average salary of $70,000 per year seeing 10-15 patients each day.
Position Requirements:
- Associate’s degree in dental hygiene
- Passing score on the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination
- Passing scores on state-authorized licensure examinations
Apply to dental hygienist jobs
If you’re planning your educational investment, consider training in one of these four specialities to maximize your income when you’re out of school.
