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Since going to college is so expensive, you may wonder: what are the best-paying jobs I can get with a two-year degree? Well, we’ve got you covered. We compiled a list of lucrative careers you can get into with just an Associate’s degree. That way, you can start earning a solid living faster — and with a much smaller student loan balance.
If you’re looking for a job with a 2 year degree, start your search on ZipRecruiter! ZipRecruiter makes it easy to apply for jobs with just a single click!
12 Of The Best Jobs With A 2-Year Degree
Here are twelve of the best jobs you can get with an Associate’s degree:
1. Air Traffic Controller
Median National Salary: $129,000+
Number of Jobs: 24,000+
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 4% (slower than average)
Job Duties: Air traffic controllers coordinate the flow of aircraft to ensure safety. As an air traffic controller, you’ll use computer systems to monitor aircraft movement and have to make quick decisions to avoid accidents.
2. Radiation Therapist
Median National Salary: $82,000+
Number of Jobs: 17,000+
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 9% (average)
Job Duties: Radiation therapists give patients prescribed doses of radiation to treat diseases like cancer. As a radiation therapist, you might work in a hospital or doctor’s office.
3. Funeral Home Manager
Median National Salary: $74,000
Number of Jobs: 37,000+
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 4% (slower than average)
Job Duties: Funeral service workers plan and oversee funeral and burial ceremonies. As a funeral service worker, you may perform your duties at a crematory or funeral home.
4. Paralegal
Median National Salary: $56,000+
Number of Jobs: 345,000+
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 12% (faster than average)
Job Duties: Paralegals assist lawyers. As a paralegal, you may organize records, conduct research, draft documents, interview witnesses, and more.
5. Dental Hygienist
Median National Salary: $77,000+
Number of Jobs: 206,000+
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 11% (faster than average)
Job Duties: Dental hygienists work under a dentist to help patients improve and maintain their oral health. As a dental hygienist, you’ll screen patients for dental diseases, perform preventative care, like cleanings, and provide education on how to take care of the teeth and mouth.
6. Veterinary Technician
Median National Salary: $36,000+
Number of Jobs: 114,000+
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 15% (faster than average)
Job Duties: Veterinary technicians help veterinarians diagnose animal diseases and injuries by running medical tests. As a veterinary technician, you might work in an animal hospital or clinic.
7. Respiratory Therapist
Median National Salary: $61,000+
Number of Jobs: 135,000+
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 23% (much faster than average)
Job Duties: Respiratory therapists work with doctors to treat conditions that impact breathing, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). As a respiratory therapist, you might work in a hospital, nursing home, or clinic.
8. Drafter
Median National Salary: $60,000+
Number of Jobs: 191,000+
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: -2% (decline)
Job Duties: Drafters collaborate with architects and engineers to turn designs into technical drawings. As a drafter, you may split your time between working on a computer in an office and visiting job sites.
9. Physical Therapist Assistant
Median National Salary: $61,000+
Number of Jobs: 140,000+
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 32% (much faster than average)
Job Duties: Physical therapist assistants support the work of a physical therapist. As a physical therapist assistant, you may help patients with their exercises, document patient progress, perform therapeutic massage, educate patients about their treatment plan, and more.
10. Occupational Therapy Assistant
Median National Salary: $61,000+
Number of Jobs: 49,000
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 34% (much faster than average)
Job Duties: Occupational therapy assistants support the work of an occupational therapist. As an occupational therapy assistant, you’ll help injured or disabled people regain their strength or learn to live as independently as possible.
11. Radiologic Technologist
Median National Salary: $61,000+
Number of Jobs: 254,000
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 9% (average)
Job Duties: Radiologic technologists specialize in diagnostic imaging, such as x-rays or computed tomographic (CT) scans. As a radiologic technologist, you’ll maintain the imaging equipment, prepare patients for testing, capture ordered images, and evaluate those images with the doctor.
12. Cardiovascular Technologist
Median National Salary: $60,000+
Number of Jobs: 134,000+
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 14% (faster than average)
Job Duties: Cardiovascular technologists help doctors diagnose and treat heart and blood vessel-related conditions. As a cardiovascular technologist, you may run tests like an electrocardiogram (EKG).
Where To Find High-Paying Jobs With A 2-Year Degree
Once you’ve earned your Associate’s degree, you can find high-paying jobs in several places. Here are three you should check out first:
ZipRecruiter
ZipRecruiter is a popular job marketplace. The platform makes it easy for you to search and apply for listed roles.
You can also upload your resume to ZipRecruiter’s resume database. When you upload you resume, this allows recruiters and employers to contact you directly!
For more information, check out our ZipRecruiter review.
Indeed
Indeed is a job aggregator, which means it pulls position listings from various websites into one search result. Plus, once you find an interesting opportunity, you can often apply for it without leaving the platform.
For more information, check out our Indeed review.
LinkedIn is more than a job board — it’s a social media platform for professionals. You can apply for jobs, share career updates, and communicate with prospective employers.
For more information, check out our LinkedIn review.
The Bottom Line
There are many high-paying jobs you can get with a two-year degree. That means you can earn a great living without going to school for long or taking on a lot of student debt. Once you’re ready to apply to these positions, consider sprucing up your resume by consulting with one of our choices for the best resume writing service. Then, visit ZipRecruiter to find your dream role.