So what careers with an associate’s degree areactually available?We analyzed employment and Bureau of Labor Statistics(BLS) data to find the 24best associate degree careers taking salary, growth, and number of jobs into account. Many of these require the specific training of an associate of applied science degree, but some allow the broad education of an associate of arts degree. These jobsmake an associates degree a wise decision.
Air Traffic Controller
Salary: $124,540
Job Outlook: 3%
Number of Jobs: 24,900By directing the flow of traffic through our nation’s airports, air traffic controllers help maintain the safety efficiency, and effectiveness of air travel. They issue landing and takeoff instructions and monitor the movement of planes on the ground and in the air. While many of the positions suggest a four-year degree, air traffic controller schools offer two-year associate degrees that focus specifically on the career.
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Computer Programmer
Salary: $82,240
Job Outlook: -8%
Number of Jobs: 294,900Computer applications and software need proper code in order to function. It’s the job of a computer programmer to create this code. While many programmers will have a bachelor’s degree, you will certainly find employers who are willing to hire someone with an associate degree. The position, however, is expected to decline by 8%, losing as many as 22,600 jobs between 2016 and 2026. (But there are nearly 300,000 jobs, so opportunities are there.)
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RadiationTherapist
Salary: $80,570
Job Outlook: 13%
Number of Jobs: 19,100Working as a radiation therapist, you will treat cancer and other diseases using radiation treatments. These professionals generally work in hospitals, but they can also be found in physician offices and outpatient centers. Not only does this job command a salary of $80,570, it also has excellent expected job growth.
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Nuclear Technician
Salary: $80,370
Job Outlook: 1%
Number of Jobs: 6,900These highly-trained professionals assist in nuclear research and energy production by operating special equipment. They may monitor radiation levels, assist engineers, or work with physicists to create safe, reliable nuclear energy. In most cases, nuclear technicians will need an associate’s degree in nuclear science or a related technology, but expect a minimal growth of only 1% in demand.
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Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Salary: $75,660
Job Outlook: 10%
Number of Jobs: 20,100This profession works in medical imaging, using safe dose of radiation to generate information on a patient’s body, which then can be used by doctors to diagnose or administer treatments. This career usually requires an associate’s degree from an accredited nuclear technology program.At 10% expected growth, it should be a steady and well-paying career.
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Dental Hygienist
Salary: $74,070
Job Outlook: 20%
Number of Jobs: 207,900As a dental hygienist, you’ll be responsible for cleaning teeth, talking to patients about proper dental hygiene, and assisting the dentist in whatever form is required. According the the BLS, all states require proper licensing and the career will grow by a potential 20% between 2016 and 2026.
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Registered Nurse
Salary: $70,000
Job Outlook: 15%
Number of Jobs: 2,955,200A bachelor’s level education is a common choice, but an Associate Degree in Nursing, or ADN, is a faster and more affordable option. Although many nurses will eventually move on to the four-year degree, a two-year program will help land a job and gain valuable experience.
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Web Developer
Salary: $67,990
Job Outlook: 15%
Number of Jobs: 162,900If you have a knack for computers and complex coding, you could make a substantial income with only a two-year degree. Web developers generally need an associate degree, and the career field is expected to grow by13%, so your services will likely be in high demand.
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Aerospace Engineering Technician
Salary: $67,240
Job Outlook: 7%
Number of Jobs: 12,100Using computer-based modeling, robotics, and automation, aerospace technicians maintain the equipment that is used in air and spacecraft. They work with engineers and operators to implement test procedures, and they can also be involved in the design and construction of test facilities.
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Medical Sonographer
Salary: $65,620
Job Outlook: 17%
Number of Jobs: 122,300Using special imaging equipment, medical sonographers create images of the body that can be used by physicians to assess and diagnose patients. A sonographer will be specially trained in the use of an ultrasonic imaging device, which uses sound waves and vibrations to create an image of a specified organ.
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Electronic Engineering Technician
Salary: $63,660
Job Outlook: 2%
Number of Jobs: 137,000Working directly with the physical technology of electronics, these professionals help design a wide range of equipment, including navigational devices, electrical components, medical technology, and communications tools. With the right associate degree, someone can work in this field for both the government and private companies.
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Police Officer
Salary: $62,690
Job Outlook: 7%
Number of Jobs: 807,000By protecting lives and property, police officers allow our society to function properly. The work can be physically and emotionally demanding, as well as dangerous, but it can also be incredibly rewarding and fulfilling. The job prospects are also expected to be good in the near future, with a 7% growth between 2016 and 2026.
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Avionics Technician
Salary: $61,270
Job Outlook: 5%
Number of Jobs: 149,500These are the repair and maintenance technicians of the air-travel industry. They work in hangars, repair stations, and airfields, helping to ensure that the airplanes are properly maintained and ready for takeoff and (even more important!) a safe landing. Although the pay is excellent, there is only an expectedjob growth of 5%, which is slightly under the national average.
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Radiologic &MRI Technologist
Salary: $60,070
Job Outlook: 13%
Number of Jobs: 241,700Working in hospitals and clinics, radiation therapists treat cancer and other diseases through the use of radiation treatments. In most states, they must be properly licensed or certified, but educational training often requires only an associate degree program. The career is expected to grow by 13% in the near future, making it stable and profitable.
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Respiratory Therapist
Salary: $59,710
Job Outlook: 23%
Number of Jobs: 130,200When you hear the term “respiratory therapist,” think “helping people breathe.” This, quite literally, the the job description, as people in this field help anyone with a lung problem, including disease or injury, get the oxygen they need. With good pay and an expected job growth of 23%, this is a fantastic career opportunity.
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Electro-Mechanical Technician
Salary: $56,740
Job Outlook: 4%
Number of Jobs: 13,800Combining a deep knowledge of electrical systems and mechanical processes, these professionals are involved with the maintenance and operation of a wide variety of equipment. They are employed in many different industries, including manufacturing, engineering services, and transportation, giving graduates the chance to work in various settings.
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Occupational Assistant
Salary: $56,690
Job Outlook: 28%
Number of Jobs: 46,800When people need help developing or recovering the skills required for daily living, occupational therapists are put to work. Their assistants and aides help achieve these goals by performing support duties such as assisting with stretches and encouraging patients to complete activities.
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Mechanical Engineering Technicians
Salary: $55,360
Job Outlook: 5%
Number of Jobs: 46,100These professionals assist in the design and creation of manufacturing devices, such as tool, machines, and motors. Duties can range from sketches to recording and analyzing data, as well as reporting the findings to mechanical engineers and other industry leaders.
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Telecom Installer
Salary: $53,880
Job Outlook: -8%
Number of Jobs: 237,600The responsibilities of this job require you to maintain and repair any equipment that carries communication. This can include internet connections, telephone lines, and communication devices. Some will work with homeowners while others may serve the commercial sector. The demand for this career hasdropped, however, because many people are going wireless, which often requires less service, maintenance, and repair.
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Funeral Service Worker
Salary: $53,550
Job Outlook: 5%
Number of Jobs: 54,400This career combines training in ethics, science, law, and many other areas, but it is possible to enter the position of a funeral service worker with as little as an associate degree. This position requires a flexible schedule, as many people in this career will work evenings and weekends, often well beyond an eight-hour work day.
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Drafter
Salary: $53,480
Job Outlook: 7%
Number of Jobs: 207,700Using software to create technical drawings, drafters are essential for the design and engineering of items as small as microchips and as large as skyscrapers. The position requires highly-specific training, which can usually be acquired through a two-year degree. While most of the work in done in an office, drafters will visit job sites and collaborate with other team members on a regular basis.
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Computer Network Specialist
Salary: $52,160
Job Outlook: 10%
Number of Jobs: 835,300Nearly every organization and business uses a network of computers, and they call on computer support specialists to keep the system running properly. While some of the positions may require a bachelor’s degree, specific training in an associate degree program is often enough to launch this career.
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Paralegal
Salary: $49,500
Job Outlook: 15%
Number of Jobs: 285,600Not only is the career of a paralegal very profitable, it generally requires only an associate degree to enter the field. This is an excellent opportunity to gain experience in the legal profession, which will be beneficial if you hope to pursue a career in the legal system. The job entails many responsibilities, such as organizing files, conducting research, and drafting documents.
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HVAC Installer
Salary: $45,910
Job Outlook: 15%
Number of Jobs: 332,900These professionals work on many different heating and cooling systems, involving home and appliances. Depending on the specific training, they may work on a home’s duct and furnace system, or they may be able to repair refrigeration units. Many of the employers prefer to hire candidates who have completed an apprenticeship as well as a postsecondary education.
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