26 High-Paying Jobs That You Can Get With An Associate's Degree
26. Mechanical drafters
25. Industrial engineering technicians
Median annual wage (2012): $50,980
Projected job openings (through 2022): 14,100
Work experience: None
Description: Help industrial engineers implement designs to use personnel, materials, and machines in factories, stores, healthcare organizations, repair shops, and offices.
On-the-job training: None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
24. Electro-mechanical technicians
Median annual wage (2012): $51,820
Projected job openings (through 2022): 4,300
Work experience: None
Description: Install, troubleshoot, repair, and upgrade electronic and computer-controlled mechanical systems, such as robotic assembly machines.
On-the-job training: None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
23. Mechanical engineering technicians
Median annual wage (2012): $51,980
Projected job openings (through 2022): 12,100
Work experience: None
Description: Design, develop, test, and manufacture industrial machinery, consumer products, and other equipment.
On-the-job training: None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
22. Cardiovascular technologists and technicians
Median annual wage (2012): $52,070
Projected job openings (through 2022): 23,000
Work experience: None
Description: Use imaging technology to help physicians diagnose cardiac (heart) and peripheral vascular (blood vessel) ailments in patients.
On-the-job training: None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
21. Physical therapist assistants
Median annual wage (2012): $52,160
Projected job openings (through 2022): 45,100
Work experience: None
Description: Help patients who are recovering from injuries, illnesses, and surgeries regain movement and manage pain.
On-the-job training: None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
20. Geological and petroleum technicians
Median annual wage (2012): $52,700
Projected job openings (through 2022): 8,100
Work experience: None
Description: Provide support to scientists and engineers in exploring and extracting natural resources, such as minerals, oil, and natural gas.
On-the-job training: None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
19. Occupational therapy assistants
Median annual wage (2012): $53,240
Projected job openings (through 2022): 20,500
Work experience: None
Description: Aides work under the direction of occupational therapists in treating patients with injuries, illnesses, or disabilities through the therapeutic use of everyday activities.
On-the-job training: None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
18. Radiologic technologists
Median annual wage (2012): $54,620
Projected job openings (through 2022): 69,600
Work experience: None
Description: Radiologic technologists perform diagnostic imaging examinations, such as X-rays, on patients.
On-the-job training: None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
17. Avionics technicians
Median annual wage (2012): $55,350
Projected job openings (through 2022): 4,000
Work experience: None
Description: Install, inspect, test, adjust, or repair avionics equipment, such as radar, radio, navigation, and missile control systems in aircraft or space vehicles.
On-the-job training: None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
16. Electrical and electronics drafters
Median annual wage (2012): $55,700
Projected job openings (through 2022): 6,800
Work experience: None
Description: Prepare wiring diagrams, circuit board assembly diagrams, and layout drawings used for the manufacture, installation, or repair of electrical equipment.
On-the-job training: None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
15. Respiratory therapists
Median annual wage (2012): $55,870
Projected job openings (through 2022): 40,100
Work experience: None
Description: Care for patients who have trouble breathing (i.e. premature infants with undeveloped lungs; elderly patients who have diseased lungs). They also provide emergency care to patients suffering from heart attacks, drowning, or shock.
On-the-job training: None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
14. Electrical and electronics engineering technicians
Median annual wage (2012): $57,850
Projected job openings (through 2022): 30,400
Work experience: None
Description: Help engineers design and develop computers, communications equipment, medical monitoring devices, navigational equipment, and other electrical and electronic equipment.
On-the-job training: None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
13. Computer network support specialists
Median annual wage (2012): $59,090
Projected job openings (through 2022): 39,600
Work experience: None
Description: Analyze, test, troubleshoot, and evaluate existing network systems, such as local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), and Internet systems or a segment of a network system.
On-the-job training: None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
12. Engineering technicians
Median annual wage (2012): $59,440
Projected job openings (through 2022): 14,600
Work experience: None
Description: Solve technical problems. Some help engineers and scientists do research and development.
On-the-job training: None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
11. Aerospace engineering and operations technicians
Median annual wage (2012): $61,530
Projected job openings (through 2022): 2,100
Work experience: None
Description: Aerospace engineering and operations technicians operate and maintain equipment used in developing, testing, and producing new aircraft and spacecraft
On-the-job training: None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
10. Web developer
Median annual wage (2012): $62,500
Projected job openings (through 2022): 50,700
Work experience: None
Description: Design, create, and modify websites.
On-the-job training: None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
9. Magnetic resonance imaging technologists
Median annual wage (2012): $65,360
Projected job openings (through 2022): 11,300
Work experience: Less than five years
Description: Monitor patient safety and comfort, and view images of area being scanned to ensure quality of pictures.
On-the-job training: None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
8. Registered nurse
Median annual wage (2012): $65,470
Projected job openings (through 2022): 1,052,600
Work experience: None
Description: Provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions.
On-the-job training: None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
7. Diagnostic medical sonographers
Median annual wage (2012): $65,860
Projected job openings (through 2022): 35,300
Work experience: None
Description: Use special imaging equipment that directs sound waves into a patient’s body to assess and diagnose various medical conditions.
On-the-job training: None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
6. Funeral service directors
Median annual wage (2012): $66,720
Projected job openings (through 2022): 3,200
Work experience: Less than five years
Description: Plan, direct, or coordinate the services or resources of funeral homes.
On-the-job training: None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
5. Nuclear technicians
Median annual wage (2012): $69,069
Projected job openings (through 2022): 4,100
Work experience: None
Description: Nuclear technicians assist physicists, engineers, and other professionals in nuclear research and nuclear production.
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
4. Nuclear medicine technologists
Median annual wage (2012): $70,180
Projected job openings (through 2022): 7,200
Work experience: None
Description: Use a scanner to create images of various areas of a patient’s body. They prepare radioactive drugs and administer them to patients undergoing the scans.
On-the-job training: None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
3. Dental hygienists
Median annual wage (2012): $70,210
Projected job openings (through 2022): 113,500
Work experience: None
Description: Clean teeth, examine patients for oral diseases such as gingivitis, and provide other preventative dental care.
On-the-job training: None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
2. Radiation therapists
Median annual wage (2012): $77,560
Projected job openings (through 2022): 8,400
Work experience: None
Description: Check equipment, observe patients’ reactions to treatment, and document the session.
On-the-job training: None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
1. Air traffic controller
Median annual wage (2012): $122,530
Projected job openings (through 2022): 11,400
Work experience: None
Description: Monitor and direct the movement of aircraft. Median annual wages of air traffic controllers are the highest of any occupation in which workers typically do not need a bachelor’s degree.
On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
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