This article will list out the highest paying careers with an Associates Degree. The data was compiled by Salary.com in the year 2014 and is based on a variety of factors such as job position, job growth among others.
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The best careers for an associate’s degree are often in the STEM fields, including engineering, computer science, and other science-related jobs.
According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average salary for a person with an associate’s degree is $79,000 per year. The highest-paying jobs are likely to be in engineering or computer science.
The following is a list of the top 25 highest-paying careers in the United States that require only an associate’s degree:
1 – Pharmacy Technician: $52,400 per year
2 – Nuclear Medicine Technologist: $68,490 per year
3 – Chiropractor: $70,500 per year
4 – Computer Systems Analyst: $74,900 per year
5 – Physical Therapist Assistant: $75,800 per year
Highest paying careers with an associates degree
Nuclear Medicine Technologists
Nuclear Medicine Technologists
Nuclear medicine technologists operate imaging machines to create images of the body for use in diagnosing and treating disease. They prepare radioactive drugs, plan treatment activities, and monitor patient conditions throughout the procedure. The training required to become a nuclear medicine technologist takes about two years if you have an associate degree, or four years if you get a bachelor’s degree in radiologic technology before beginning your career. As far as jobs go, it’s one of the highest paying jobs that don’t require higher education credentials (nurses are another example). In addition to having good pay potential and job security because there aren’t many people who can do this job well enough to replace them yet – nuclear medicine is also very interesting work!
Nuclear medicine technologists operate imaging machines to create images of the body for use in diagnosing and treating disease.
Nuclear medicine technologists operate imaging machines to create images of the body for use in diagnosing and treating disease. Nuclear medicine technologists are directly involved in patient care, and they must have a strong understanding of anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology in order to understand how their work affects patients. They may also assist with research efforts on innovative techniques for diagnosis or treatment.
As the population ages and healthcare costs rise, demand for nuclear medicine technologists will continue to grow. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts employment opportunities will increase by 13% through 2026.*
Radiation Therapists
Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy rays, such as x-rays and gamma rays, to treat cancer. Radiation therapists use radiation machines to deliver these rays to tumors inside the body. Then they work with radiation oncologists to plan and deliver treatments.
While a bachelor’s degree usually is required for this career, an associate’s degree can also be sufficient depending on your experience and certification level.
Radiation therapy is a treatment for cancer, using powerful x-rays or other high-energy rays.
Radiation therapy is a common cancer treatment that uses powerful x-rays or other high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. The different types of radiation therapy include:
- Photon therapy (also called external beam) sends high energy photons directly to a tumor from outside the body.
- Brachytherapy delivers radiation directly into the body by placing small round pellets (seeds) or thin rods inside the tumor.
- Internal radiation uses radioactive material attached to wires and left in place during surgery, or inserted through hollow tubes threaded into cancerous tissue areas within the body before being removed again. This can be done while you are awake so you can talk with your doctor while they are doing this procedure!
Dental Hygienists
As a dental hygienist, you will be responsible for preventing and treating oral diseases and maintaining the oral health of patients. Dental hygienists are also responsible for educating patients about proper oral hygiene techniques at home. In addition to working in private dental offices, some dental hygienists work in schools or other public settings.
Dental hygienists earn a median annual salary of $70,910 as of May 2018 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS predicts that jobs for dental hygienists will increase by about 19 percent by 2026, which is faster than average compared to other professions.
Dental hygienists work with patients to help them achieve good oral health. They remove plaque, evaluate the mouth for signs of gum disease or cavities, take x-rays and educate their patients.
Dental hygienists work with patients to help them achieve good oral health. They remove plaque, evaluate the mouth for signs of gum disease or cavities, take x-rays and educate their patients.
A dental hygienist’s job is not only to improve a patient’s oral health by removing plaque, but also to prevent disease in order to keep the mouth healthy and prevent tooth decay and gum disease. For instance, if a patient has a history of heart disease or high blood pressure, then they should be advised on which foods could worsen their condition (i.e., citrus fruits).
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers and Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians, Including Vascular Technologists
In this section, we’ll discuss the highest paying careers with an associate’s degree.
- Diagnostic medical sonographers, who specialize in imaging and measuring body functions through sound waves, earn on average $74,000 per year and are expected to experience 28% growth from 2014-2024. This means that even though the field was previously male-dominated (91% of workers), it is becoming more diverse as women get more involved. Prospective applicants can take the Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer credentialing exam offered by American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).
- Cardiovascular technologists and technicians perform diagnostic procedures, such as EKGs and electrocardiograms (ECGs) on patients suffering from heart diseases or disorders. They also assist in surgery or other invasive procedures related to cardiovascular health care; these include inserting catheters into blood vessels so physicians can visualize internal organs without performing surgery – for example attaching wires onto veins so doctors can see them clearly when injecting contrast dye during CT scans or MRIs. Cardiovascular technologists earn $40,000 per year on average but are expected to grow 29% between 2014-2024 which means they may soon be making more than their average counterparts at hospitals across America! The vast majority of workers hold at least an associate’s degree; however some employers prefer candidates who have taken courses specific towards cardiac technology such as Principles & Methods Of Cardiac Imaging Technology offered through Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi online program which costs around $1,700 annually if taken part time over two years including textbooks costs.”
Sonographers use imaging technology to perform ultrasound scans while cardiovascular techs are trained to use ultrasound and other imaging technology to diagnose cardiovascular diseases.
- Sonographers use imaging technology to perform ultrasound scans. These professionals are also called diagnostic medical sonographers or diagnostic imaging sonographers, and they generally work in a hospital or clinic. They can be certified by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) after completing an accredited training program and passing a certification exam.
- Cardiovascular technologists use ultrasound and other imaging technology to diagnose cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease, atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), valvular heart disease, congenital defects and pulmonary vascular disorders. They may also assist physicians during surgery by taking x-rays of patients’ hearts before surgery. Cardiovascular technologists typically need only an Associate’s degree in order to enter this field; however many employers require completion of a Certified Cardiovascular Technician program through the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care Technology Certification (SCCPCTC).
Registered Nurses
Registered Nurses, or RNs, are health care professionals who help patients with a variety of medical needs. They may be responsible for administering medication and treatment plans to patients, while also providing education on disease prevention. RNs work in hospitals and other facilities across the country, providing services at clinics and schools as well.
Registered nurses must have a minimum of an associate’s degree from an accredited college or university before being able to practice as one. This level of education teaches students about medical terminology, human anatomy and physiology (the way the body works), pathophysiology (how diseases develop), pharmacology (drug effects), public health issues such as epidemiology (how diseases spread) and statistics; psychology courses such as abnormal behavior; social sciences courses like sociology or anthropology; communication skills including listening techniques
Registered nurses constitute the largest sector of healthcare workers in the United States by far. They treat patients, perform diagnostic tests, set up treatment plans, teach patients about their conditions and provide education on disease prevention.
Registered nurses constitute the largest sector of healthcare workers in the United States by far. They treat patients, perform diagnostic tests, set up treatment plans, teach patients about their conditions and provide education on disease prevention. Some RNs specialize in a particular area of care such as surgery or pediatrics.
There are many benefits to becoming a registered nurse (RN):
- You’ll get immediate job security and financial rewards: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), RNs have one of the lowest unemployment rates among all occupations at 2%. The BLS also reports that 90% of all RNs working full time earn more than $52,000 annually.
- You’ll have opportunities for career advancement: RNs can advance into supervisory roles or become certified in areas such as pediatric nursing or oncology nursing through continuing education classes taken during evenings or weekends at local community colleges post-graduation from an accredited four-year university program where students earn bachelor’s degrees majoring in nursing with hopes of eventually entering advanced practice fields like critical care medicine; mental health providers; home health aide positions; public health departments; public policy research organizations etc.
Physical Therapist Assistants
Physical therapist assistants help physical therapists design and carry out treatment plans to restore movement in patients who have suffered injuries, illnesses or disability due to age. They help perform treatments and observe a patient’s condition under the direction of a physical therapist but cannot make an official diagnosis on their own.
The median annual wage for physical therapist assistants was $52,920 in May 2015, according to the BLS.
Physical therapist assistants help physical therapists design and carry out treatment plans to restore movement in patients who have suffered injuries, illnesses or disability due to age. They help perform treatments and observe a patient’s condition under the direction of a physical therapist but cannot make an official diagnosis on their own.
With an associates degree in nursing, you can work as a nurse assistant. The average salary for a registered nurse is $72,180. They help patients with medication and treatment plans under the supervision of physicians and other professionals. They are able to give advice on disease prevention through healthy living to their patients as well.
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Occupational therapy assistants help patients improve their everyday living skills. They perform treatments and observe a patient’s condition under the direction of an occupational therapist but cannot make an official diagnosis on their own. Occupational therapists are tasked with helping patients regain or develop the everyday skills they need to live independently, such as using the bathroom or cooking meals.
The median salary for an OT assistant is $36,900 per year (or $18 hourly), according to Indeed data from 2017-2018. The top ten highest-paying states for this role are:
- California: $75,000/year (or $37 hourly)
- New York: $73,000/year (or $35.5 hourly)
- Alaska: $71,000/year (or $34.5 hourly)
- Colorado: $69,500/year (or 35 hourly)
