What associate's degree pays the most?

Asked by: Freddie Koch  |  Last update: February 16, 2026
Score: 4.6/5 (74 votes)

The highest-paying associate's degrees often lead to roles in Air Traffic Control, Nuclear Technology, Radiation Therapy, and Dental Hygiene, with Air Traffic Controllers topping the list (median pay over $140k), followed by Nuclear Technicians and Radiation Therapists in the six-figure range, and Dental Hygienists also earning high six-figure incomes. Engineering and healthcare technologist roles also offer strong earning potential, like Aerospace Engineering Technicians and Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, leading to significant salaries after just two years of study.

What jobs make 100K a year with an associate's degree?

Yes, many associate degree jobs can pay $100k+, especially in healthcare, tech, and skilled trades, with roles like Nuclear Technicians, Radiation Therapists, Air Traffic Controllers, Dental Hygienists, Instrumentation Technologists, and high-level sales positions often reaching or exceeding that income with experience, certifications, or in high-demand areas. Roles in engineering technology (like Aerospace or Electrical), health information technology, and skilled trades (like linemen or elevator technicians) also offer strong earning potential.
 

What is a quick degree that pays well?

For quick, high-paying degrees, focus on tech (IT, Software Dev), healthcare (Nursing, Techs), and business (Accounting, Management), often through accelerated Associate's Degrees or focused Bachelor's Programs, leading to roles like Nurse, IT Specialist, Air Traffic Controller, or Software Developer with strong earning potential, especially with experience or specialization.
 

How to make $100,000 a year with no degree?

You can earn $100k without a degree through high-demand skilled trades (electrician, plumber, elevator technician), tech roles (software developer, IT), sales (tech, insurance, management), specialized fields (air traffic controller, commercial pilot, nuclear technician, construction manager), or entrepreneurship, focusing on certifications, apprenticeships, experience, and high-value skills over formal education. Success relies on practical expertise and building a portfolio, often bypassing college debt for faster, lucrative entry. 

How to make $80,000 a year without a degree?

You can make $80k/year without a degree by pursuing skilled trades (electrician, plumber), high-demand tech roles (IT, cybersecurity, data analysis via bootcamps/certs), or specialized fields like commercial piloting, nuclear operations, sales, or management, focusing on certifications, apprenticeships, building portfolios, and gaining experience in growing industries. 

9 Best Associate Degrees (2 Years Or Less)

17 related questions found

Am I poor if I make 50K a year?

An annual salary of $50,000 is considered a middle-class income, and can be a comfortable wage for a recent graduate or a person starting a new career. A single person may not be able to live large in some areas of the country, but that doesn't mean they can't live comfortably elsewhere.

What jobs pay $2000 a day?

Earning $2000 daily often involves high-skill freelancing (consulting, specialized writing), high-ticket sales, advanced digital marketing (SEO, funnel building), or specialized gig economy work (luxury pet care, event services), with some paths like content creation or e-commerce taking significant time to scale; quick cash might come from selling valuable items or intense gig work (Uber, TaskRabbit, Rover), while long-term potential lies in building assets like courses or membership sites. 

What job pays $400,000 a year without a degree?

Yes, jobs paying over $400,000 without a college degree exist, with Walmart Store Managers being a prominent example due to increased bonuses and stock, while other high earners include roles in enterprise tech sales, commercial real estate, high-level trades (like nuclear operators, air traffic controllers), and self-made entrepreneurs/influencers, all relying on high skill, performance, and market demand, not just degrees, according to sources from Tallo and The Wall Street Journal. 

What are new collar jobs?

What does “new collar” mean? The term “new collar” is associated with professions where employees develop their technical and soft skills through nontraditional education paths. Employers trying to fill these roles focus on candidates' skill sets rather than formal education degrees.

What jobs pay $400 an hour?

400 per hour jobs

  • Journeyman Electrician $36.28 - $43.19 per hour ** NO TRAVEL REQUIRED. ...
  • LPN - Licensed Practical Nurse - FT FLEX. ...
  • LPN - Licensed Practical Nurse - FT Nights/Weekends. ...
  • LPN - Licensed Practical Nurse - FT Nights. ...
  • LPN Long Term Care (LTC) (Straight Nights) ...
  • LPN/RN LTC (PT Night)

What trade can I learn in 6 months?

Best 6 Month Certificate Programs That Pay Well for 2026

  • Dental Assistant. ...
  • Phlebotomy Technician. ...
  • Bookkeeper. ...
  • Medical Assistant. ...
  • Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) ...
  • Pharmacy Technician. ...
  • Real Estate Broker. ...
  • Truck Driver.

What is the most useful associates degree?

10 Highest Paying 2-Year Degrees

  1. Air Traffic Control/Management. ...
  2. Nuclear Science or Nuclear Technology. ...
  3. Radiation Therapy. ...
  4. Dental Hygiene. ...
  5. Sonography and Cardiovascular Technology. ...
  6. Radiologic and MRI Technology. ...
  7. Respiratory Therapy. ...
  8. Aerospace Engineering or Engineering Technology.

What 2 year programs make the most money?

The highest-paying associate degrees often lead to careers in specialized healthcare and technical fields, with top earners including Air Traffic Controllers, Nuclear Technicians, Radiation Therapists, Dental Hygienists, and Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, frequently earning over \$80,000-$90,000+ annually, sometimes even surpassing lower-level bachelor's degree holders in early career. Engineering technology (like electrical, aerospace) and IT roles (network admin, web dev) also offer strong earning potential. 

What is an easy degree that pays well?

8 easy degrees that pay well

  1. Business Administration. Business administration is a top example of an "easy major." Most programs take four years to complete, but some only take three years! ...
  2. English. ...
  3. Human Resources. ...
  4. Criminal Justice. ...
  5. Marketing. ...
  6. Supply Chain Management. ...
  7. Psychology. ...
  8. Communications.

What entry level jobs pay over 100k?

Entry level $100,000 jobs

  • Entry Level Sales Representative. ...
  • Entry Level Sales Representative. ...
  • Door-to-Door Sales Rep/Project Manager. ...
  • Sales Design Consultant. ...
  • Entry Level Sales Representative. ...
  • Project Sales Representative – No Experience Needed | Hands-On Training. ...
  • Sales Consultant/Management Trainee.

Who makes $30 an hour without a degree?

Many skilled trades (electricians, plumbers, HVAC techs, welders), tech roles (IT support, data analysts), healthcare support (PT assistants, sonographers), and logistics/transportation (truck drivers, distribution managers, air traffic controllers) offer $30/hour or more without a traditional degree, often requiring certifications, apprenticeships, or on-the-job training. Roles in sales (real estate), finance (loan officers, underwriters), and specialized services (elevator mechanics, home inspectors) also provide pathways to this wage. 

How much is $60,000 a year hourly?

$60,000 a year is approximately $28.85 per hour, calculated by dividing the annual salary by 2,080 work hours in a year (40 hours/week x 52 weeks/year). This is your gross pay before taxes and deductions, and it can change if you work more or fewer hours than the standard 40 per week. 

What is the #1 best paying job?

The #1 highest-paying job consistently ranks as Surgeons, particularly Pediatric Surgeons, followed closely by Cardiologists, Anesthesiologists, and Orthodontists, all within the medical field, requiring extensive education and specialized skills for high-stakes procedures and patient care. Other top earners include Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), Psychiatrists, and specialized IT roles like Enterprise Architects, but healthcare physicians generally dominate the very top of salary lists. 

What jobs pay $3,000 a day?

Jobs making $3,000 a day involve high-level expertise, sales, specialized trades, or business ownership, including roles like surgeons, Urologists, high-commission sales professionals, successful traders, specialized truck drivers (owner-operators), certain tech consultants, or skilled trades business owners (electricians, HVAC), often requiring significant experience, investment, or a specialized degree, with entrepreneurial ventures in e-commerce or content creation also possible paths. 

How to realistically make $1000 a day?

Realistically making $1,000 a day involves high-income skills (consulting, programming, specialized freelancing) or scalable online businesses (digital products, content creation with affiliate marketing/ads, e-commerce), requiring significant expertise, audience building, or initial investment, with faster but less sustainable methods like high-value flipping or intensive gig work possible for quick cash. Consistency comes from building assets, like courses or communities, or leveraging high-paying traditional careers, not luck. 

How much hourly to make $2000 a week?

If you're earning $2,000 per week, your hourly wage amounts to approximately $50. To calculate this, divide your weekly earnings by 40 hours. So, $2,000 divided by 40 hours gives you an hourly rate of $50.

Is $28 an hour good?

Yes, $28 an hour ($58,240/year) is generally considered a good wage, providing a comfortable living in many areas, but its actual value depends heavily on your location's cost of living (housing, taxes), household size, and benefits (insurance, retirement). While it's well above minimum wage and the poverty line, some high-cost cities or larger families might find it tight, though it's a solid income for most individuals outside major metro areas, allowing for savings and a decent lifestyle. 

Can I afford a 250k house on 50k salary?

It's unlikely you can comfortably afford a $250k house on a $50k salary; you generally need $62k-$80k income due to lender guidelines (28/36 rule) suggesting max housing costs around $1,167/month on a $50k income, which doesn't cover PITI (Principal, Interest, Taxes, Insurance) for a $250k loan, especially with higher interest rates, though government loans (FHA, USDA) and minimal debt might stretch your budget in very low-cost areas, notes The Mortgage Reports, Redfin, LendingTree, and Bankrate, SoFi. 

What could be the best side hustle for extra money?

18 Side Hustles for College Students

  1. Tutoring students online. ...
  2. Selling stuff online. ...
  3. Dog walking. ...
  4. Flipping furniture. ...
  5. Detailing cars. ...
  6. Selling digital products. ...
  7. Delivering food. ...
  8. Blogging.