Some Associate Degrees Offer a High Return
An associate degree can put a student on a path to earning above the median household income level after completing two years of course work. Annual tuition and fees at a public two-year institution also cost substantially less than at a four-year school. Many of the opportunities that pay the most for an associate degree are in the health care sector, experts say. The following careers, listed in alphabetical order, are examples of where an associate degree can lead to a job that earns more than $50,000 annually.
ASN Nurses
A health care worker with an associate of science in nursing degree, known as an ASN, earns nearly $59,000 on average, according to the online salary database PayScale.com. But experts say nurses with an ASN may find barriers to entry at competitive, high-caliber hospitals, since the nursing profession is moving toward requiring more years of education. In fact, a well-cited report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health, recommends nearly all entry-level nurses hold a bachelor’s degree by 2020.
Avionics Equipment Mechanics and Technicians
Aircraft and avionics mechanics and technicians work in hangars and repair stations or on airfields, fixing aircraft and performing scheduled maintenance. According to most recent data available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, avionic technicians earn a median salary of $61,260 per year. The BLS predicts the number of jobs for this field, which requires an associate degree, will grow by 5 percent from 2016 to 2026 — faster than the average rate of growth for all occupations.
Dental Hygienist
Dental hygienists clean a patient’s teeth, check for signs of oral diseases and provide preventive dental care. The job market for dental hygienists is booming. According to the BLS, this occupation will grow by 20 percent from 2016 to 2026. This profession also commands more compensation compared with an ASN nurse. “We’re looking at almost $70K for their overall national median pay. Unlike the nurses, there’s not the push to transition it into this four-year degree,” says Katie Bardaro, lead economist and vice president of data analytics at PayScale. “It’s a good job in terms of growth and pay.”
Electrical or Electronic Engineering Technician
Electrical and electronic engineering technicians work closely with electrical engineers, and the job typically requires an associate degree. Workers in this profession earn a median salary of $63,660, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The BLS predicts employment growth of 2 percent from 2016 to 2026 for this occupation.
Paralegal or Legal Assistant
Legal support workers, such as paralegals, support lawyers and handle various tasks, including filing documents and performing legal research. According to the BLS, the projected job growth for legal assistants is above the average and expected to grow by 15 percent between 2016 and 2026. “We have an [American Bar Association]-approved program, and they definitely command more than $50,000 upon entry into the workforce,” says Lisa G. Angelo, provost at Bucks County Community College in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
Mechanical Engineering Technician
As associate degree in engineering technology prepares students to seek employment as technicians in the fields of mechanical systems, such as in manufacturing. Angelo says: “This is a very hands-on engineering tech program where they would go into technician positions or manufacturing positions as engineering techs. And they command a salary around $50,000 upon entry.”
Medical Lab Technologist or Technician
Medical laboratory technologists and technicians collect samples and perform tests on blood and other body fluids and tissues. Technologists usually need a bachelor’s degree, but technicians typically only need an associate degree or a postsecondary certificate. “We know that those students are not only highly placed, but are earning salaries that are $50,000 or more to start,” says Angelo, who adds that her college recently added a medical laboratory technician program. Some states, such as Nevada, California and Tennessee, require technologists and technicians to be licensed.
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Occupational therapy assistants help patients develop, recover, improve and maintain skills needed to function with work or daily life. OTAs bring home a median annual salary of $56,690, according to BLS data. The BLS predicts that the number of jobs for OTAs will increase by 28 percent from 2016 to 2026.
Physical Therapist Assistant
Those with an associate degree as a physical therapy assistant, often called PTAs, work under the supervision of physical therapists and assist patients with regaining movement after an injury or illness. “Physical therapy assistants are a good associate’s degree level job. They usually have a starting pay around $50K, but within midcareer they’re approaching $60 to $65K. So there’s not only demand for them, but it’s good take-home pay when you factor in the cost of getting their degree,” says Bardaro.
Radiation Therapist
Radiation therapists treat cancer and other diseases by administering radiation treatments to patients. According to the BLS, the median salary for this occupation is $80,570. Bardaro says radiation technologists top the pay among occupations that only require an associate degree. “It’s a very specialized skill, and there’s not as many people who are doing it, but there’s a need for it. So that just bolsters the pay up for them.” Other radiologic-related careers that require an associate degree include medical sonographers and ultrasound technicians.
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10 Community College Degree Jobs That Pay $50K+ originally appeared on usnews.com
