10 Highest-Paying Associate Degrees of 2025
An associate degree can offer a quick path to many high-paying careers, especially in healthcare and technology.
Associate degrees typically take two years to earn, much quicker than the four years it takes to earn a bachelor’s degree. You’ll be able to enter the workforce faster and earn a salary sooner.
“[An associate degree] can also be a good option if you’re unsure about committing to a four-year program but still want a solid foundation to build on,” said Norma Feriz-Gordon, a college planning counselor. “Particularly if you are unsure about your major.”
Graduates with an associate don’t usually earn as much as professionals with higher degrees, but the highest-paying two-year degrees can lead to six-figure salaries. Nuclear technicians, for example, earned an average annual salary of $104,240 as of May 2024.
Highest-Paying Associate Degree Jobs
According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), workers with an associate degree earn higher salaries than those without any college degree.
Still, actual pay varies by job, industry, and experience. With that in mind, here are some of the highest-paying jobs you can aspire for with just an associate degree. Many of these careers are tied to healthcare professions or require technical skills.
“When choosing a lucrative associate degree, it’s best to focus on industries that are growing and have strong demand for skilled workers,” said Feriz-Gordon. “Additionally, consider fields that offer opportunities for certifications or specialized skills that can increase your earning potential.”
| Job | Median Annual Salary (2024) | Job Growth (2023-2033) |
|---|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller | $144,580 | 3% |
| Nuclear Technician | $104,240 | -6% |
| Radiation Therapist | $101,990 | 3% |
| Dental Hygienist | $94,260 | 9% |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer or Cardiovascular Technologist | $82,570 | 11% |
| Radiologic and MRI Technologist | $78,980 | 6% |
| Respiratory Therapist | $80,450 | 13% |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologist | $79,830 | 8% |
| Funeral Home Manager | $59,420 | 5% |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist | $77,180 | 3% |
10 Highest Paying 2-Year Degrees
Professionals with only an associate degree can earn comfortable salaries, but it largely depends on the field they enter. Here are some of the highest-paying two-year degree programs to consider.
1. Air Traffic Control/Management
An associate degree in aviation administration can equip you with the skills needed to become an air traffic controller (ATC). ATCs manage the movement of planes and helicopters at airports.
The Federal Aviation Administration requires three total years of experience to become an ATC, including time in school. Additionally, you must be under 31 when you apply to become an ATC and pass pre-employment tests.
Median Annual Salary (BLS, 2024): $144,580
2. Nuclear Science or Nuclear Technology
Nuclear technicians operate and maintain the necessary equipment for a nuclear power generator. They may also assist physicists in conducting research.
Nuclear power plants employ upwards of 500 employees each, and many technical jobs at these facilities require just an associate degree in nuclear technology.
Median Annual Salary (BLS, 2024): $104,240
3. Radiation Therapy
Roughly 650,000 Americans receive radiation therapy each year. Radiation therapists are the professionals who administer these treatments, following treatment plans prescribed by radiation oncologists.
An associate degree will equip you with the skills to deliver radiation beams to specific areas of the body to help fight cancer.
Median Annual Salary (BLS, 2024): $101,990
4. Dental Hygiene
The American Dental Association recommends that people regularly get their teeth cleaned, and dental hygienists play a significant role in the country’s dental health.
An associate degree equips you with the skills to examine patients for signs of oral diseases and other maladies. Hygienists also clean patients’ teeth and gums.
Median Annual Salary (BLS, 2024): $94,260
5. Sonography and Cardiovascular Technology
Sonography and cardiovascular technology technicians help doctors at all levels, including by administering sonograms and electrocardiograms (ECGs).
These tests help paint a picture of the internal workings of the body or the health of a patient’s heart. Associate degree programs teach technicians how to operate the necessary machinery and relay vital information to doctors.
Median Annual Salary (BLS, 2024): $82,570
6. Radiologic and MRI Technology
Doctors often need images of patients’ internal organs, bones, and tissues to diagnose and treat abnormalities. Radiologic and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technologists create those essential images.
Associate degree programs teach students how to operate these complex machines safely and effectively.
Median Annual Salary (BLS, 2024): $78,980
7. Respiratory Therapy
Nearly 34 million Americans suffer from chronic lung disease, many of whom need specialized therapy to manage their malady.
Respiratory therapists administer care to those with respiratory issues. An associate degree in respiratory therapy will equip you with the skills to administer oxygen, manage ventilators, and inject drugs directly into a patient’s lungs.
Median Annual Salary (BLS, 2024): $80,450
8. Aerospace Engineering or Engineering Technology
In the U.S., approximately 45,000 planes take flight every day, requiring constant aircraft maintenance to safely transport people and goods across the country.
Aerospace engineering and operations technicians help maintain planes, helicopters, and spacecraft. Associate degree programs teach you how these vehicles work so that you can keep them operational and fix issues that arise.
Median Annual Salary (BLS, 2024): $79,830
9. Funeral Service or Mortuary Science
The funeral industry is worth an estimated $20 billion annually in the U.S., so it shouldn’t be a shock that funeral service managers make relatively high salaries.
Funeral workers help organize and manage funeral services. That includes facilitating the burial or cremation of deceased people and the service honoring those people.
Median Annual Salary (BLS, 2024): $59,420
10. Electrical or Electronic Engineering Technology
An associate degree in electronic engineering technology program will teach you the basics of electronic systems, as well as how to manage and repair those systems.
Electrical or electronic technicians routinely test electrical systems to ensure they function properly and safely. They may also be involved in designing and building electronic equipment in conjunction with engineers.
Median Annual Salary (BLS, 2024): $77,180
Frequently Asked Questions About High-Paying Associate Degrees
Yes, you can make upwards of six figures each year with just an associate degree.
Finding an entry-level position paying more than $100,000 a year may prove difficult with just an associate degree. But some career paths, including as an air traffic controller, offer median salaries in the six-figure range despite only requiring an associate degree.
