23 High-Paying Jobs That You Can Get With An Associate's Degree

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23. Mechanical engineering technicians

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

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22. Cardiovascular technologists and technicians

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

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21. Physical therapist assistants

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

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

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19. Occupational therapy assistants

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

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

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17. Avionics technicians

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

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

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15. Electrical and electronics engineering technicians

15. 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

14. Computer network support specialists

14. 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

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13. Engineering technicians

13. 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

12. Aerospace engineering and operations technicians

12. 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

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11. Web developer

11. 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

10. Magnetic resonance imaging technologists

10. 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

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9. Registered nurse

9. 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

8. Diagnostic medical sonographers

8. 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

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7. Funeral service directors

7. Funeral service directors

Median annual wage (2012): $66,720

Degree required: Associate's degree

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

6. Nuclear technicians

6. 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

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5. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers

5. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers

Median annual wage (2012): $70,060

Projected job openings (through 2022): 50,300

Work experience: Less than five years

Description: Coordinate activities of sales workers other than retail sales workers.

On-the-job training: None

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

4. Nuclear medicine technologists

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

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3. Dental hygienists

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

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

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1. Air traffic controller

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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