What associate degree pays best?

Asked by: Frederick Collins MD  |  Last update: March 20, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (36 votes)

18 highest-paying associate degrees
  • Dental hygiene. ...
  • Respiratory therapy. ...
  • Robotics. ...
  • Diagnostic medical sonography. ...
  • Software engineering. ...
  • Nuclear science. ...
  • Radiation therapy. ...
  • Vascular technology. An applied science associate degree in vascular technology teaches students how to diagnose and treat patients with vascular diseases.

What associate's degree makes the most money?

The highest-paying two-year degree is often an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), which prepares graduates to become Registered Nurses (RNs). According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), RNs earned a median annual wage of about $77,600 as of May 2023.

Can I make 6 figures with an associate's degree?

According to the study, associate degrees from several schools can lead to six-figure incomes. The top-earning two-year degree came from Helene Fuld College of Nursing, with an average mid-career salary of $108,400.

What is the easiest degree with the highest pay?

12 Easy College Majors That Ultimately Pay Well
  1. Marketing. A marketing degree opens up many career possibilities. ...
  2. Human Resources. ...
  3. Hospitality. ...
  4. Communications. ...
  5. Public Relations. ...
  6. Liberal Studies. ...
  7. Anthropology. ...
  8. History.

What degree can you earn in 2 years?

An associate degree is an undergraduate degree students can earn through an academic institution that focuses on general and vocational courses. Associate degrees at a glance: Usually take 2 years to complete.

7 Best Associate Degrees (Associate Degree Majors RANKED)

43 related questions found

What is the fastest associate's degree to get?

10 Popular Online Accelerated Associate Degrees
  1. Accounting. With an accounting associate degree, you can pursue work as a bookkeeper or as a financial or accounting clerk. ...
  2. Business Administration. ...
  3. Criminal Justice. ...
  4. General Studies. ...
  5. Healthcare Administration. ...
  6. Information Technology. ...
  7. Paralegal Studies. ...
  8. Marketing.

What is the highest-paying non medical job?

Some of the highest-paying non-medical jobs are chief executive officer (CEO), information systems manager, lawyer, and pilot. Jobs that bring a six-figure annual income typically require advanced degrees, such as a PhD and MD, but there are some, such as commercial pilot, for which formal education is optional.

How can I make $100 000 a year without a college degree?

9 jobs that pay $100K per year without a degree
  1. Information systems manager. National average salary: $96,173 per year Primary duties: An information systems manager oversees and implements information technology (IT) within a company. ...
  2. Fire chief. ...
  3. Product manager. ...
  4. Senior engagement manager. ...
  5. Radiation therapist.

What is the shortest career to study that pays well?

Top 15 Quick Degrees That Pay Well
  • Business Administration.
  • Communications.
  • Criminal Justice.
  • English.
  • Finance.
  • Healthcare Administration.
  • History.
  • Human Resources.

What is a fast degree to get?

Many schools offer them in accounting, business, marketing, communications, computer science, health care, and nursing. Degree completion programs are a type of accelerated bachelor's degree for students who already have some college credit.

How to make 100k with an Associates?

The 5 highest-paying associate degrees—all help you earn over $100,000
  1. Instrumentation technology. Early-career median pay: $55,300. Mid-career median pay: $116,300.
  2. Software engineering. Early-career median pay: $67,200. Mid-career median pay: $112,400.
  3. Radiation therapy. Early-career median pay: $75,200. ...
  4. Fire technology.

What pays 6 figures without a degree?

14 six-figure jobs without a college degree requirement
  • Data Scientist. Data Scientists analyze raw data and draw meaningful insights that can improve business performance. ...
  • Data Engineer. ...
  • Business Analyst. ...
  • Software Engineer. ...
  • Engineering Manager. ...
  • Test Engineer. ...
  • Cybersecurity Engineer. ...
  • Technical Program Manager.

What is the highest paid job in 2024?

The 7 Highest Paying Jobs of 2024
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) Specialists.
  • Cybersecurity Experts.
  • Data Scientists.
  • Blockchain Developers.
  • Medical Professionals.
  • Corporate Lawyers.
  • Investment Bankers.

What associate degree is worth getting?

Based on this list, an Associate in Science or Applied Science degree seems to be worth the time, money, and effort, while an Associate in Arts degree might not be if you're looking to end up in a well-paying job after graduation.

What degree makes 100k?

Those looking to enter this field may want to consider earning a bachelor's degree in an analytics subject like actuarial science, mathematics or statistics. Actuaries earned a median yearly salary of $113,990 in 2022, with job prospects expected to grow by 23% over the next decade, according to BLS data.

What is the easiest associate's degree to get?

15 Easiest Associate's Degree Programs for 2025
  1. General Studies. An Associate of Arts (AA) in General Studies provides a flexible educational path encompassing humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. ...
  2. Liberal Arts. ...
  3. English. ...
  4. Communications. ...
  5. History. ...
  6. Psychology. ...
  7. Sociology. ...
  8. Political Science.

What career pays $100 an hour?

The top three jobs that pay $100 an hour are anesthesiologist, life coach, and simultaneous interpreter. The median hourly wage in the United States is $16 an hour. Most jobs that pay $100/hour or more require a college degree, certifications, and training.

What is an easy degree to get that pays well?

In fields like Communications, Marketing, Management, Supply Chain Management, and Business Administration, you can find high-paying degrees. These paths offer diverse opportunities for lucrative careers. Skills in effective communication strategies and leadership are essential in these areas.

What's the quickest trade to learn?

Some trades that are generally considered easy to learn include HVAC, plumbing, phlebotomy, and medical assisting.

What jobs pay $100 an hour without a degree?

There are several side jobs that pay $100 or more an hour, including:
  • Massage therapist. ...
  • Tutor. ...
  • Model. ...
  • Actor/actress. ...
  • Health coach. ...
  • Freelance photographer. ...
  • Freelance designer. ...
  • Interior designer.

How can I make 6 figures a month?

- Common jobs and skills that earn 6 figures include general and operations manager, engineer, software developer, attorney, physicians and surgeons, nurse practitioner and physician assistants, data scientist, financial analyst, and many more.

What is the #1 best paying job?

Get Matched!
  • Obstetrician and Gynecologist. #1 in Best-Paying Jobs. ...
  • Psychiatrist. #2 in Best-Paying Jobs. ...
  • Emergency Medicine Physician. #3 in Best-Paying Jobs. ...
  • Orthodontist. #4 in Best-Paying Jobs. ...
  • Anesthesiologist. #5 in Best-Paying Jobs. ...
  • Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon. #6 in Best-Paying Jobs. ...
  • Radiologist. ...
  • Pilot.

What jobs pay $300,000 a year non-medical?

Non-medical jobs that pay over $300k a year
  • Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
  • Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
  • Principal Software Architect.
  • Sales Director.
  • Investment Banker. Average Salary: $162,715. ...
  • Senior Partner Lawyer.
  • Principal Development Manager.
  • Chief Information Officer (CIO)