Highest-paying jobs with an associate’s degree
The best-paid is air traffic controllers, with a median of $148,080 a year. 4 of the 48 occupations here have a median of $100,000 or more. The median for all U.S. occupations is $50,980.
How this list is built. Occupations where the Bureau of Labor Statistics lists “Associate's degree” as the typical education needed to enter the occupation (Employment Projections 2025–35). Some workers in these jobs have more or less education than the typical entrant.
Source BLS-OEWS · Period May 2025 · # = national rank shown on each page48 records · annual wages, USD
| No. | Occupation | Median | Top 10% earn over | Typical entry | Jobs 2025–35 | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Air Traffic Controllers | $148,080 | $215,610 | Associate | +1.7% | 22,510 |
| 2 | Nuclear Technicians | $110,240 | $133,600 | Associate | +1.1% | 6,470 |
| 3 | Radiation Therapists | $105,310 | $156,710 | Associate | +2.8% | 17,070 |
| 4 | Nuclear Medicine Technologists | $101,370 | $134,500 | Associate | +4.4% | 17,080 |
| 5 | Dental Hygienists | $98,100 | $126,050 | Associate | +8.0% | 222,740 |
| 6 | Diagnostic Medical Sonographers | $96,590 | $129,370 | Associate | +13.9% | 90,160 |
| 7 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists | $95,480 | $127,670 | Associate | +7.7% | 43,390 |
| 8 | Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | $82,890 | $125,160 | Associate | +11.9% | 11,280 |
| 9 | Respiratory Therapists | $82,280 | $118,050 | Associate | +8.5% | 139,790 |
| 10 | Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $80,110 | $118,660 | Associate | +5.0% | 230,490 |
| 11 | Funeral Home Managers | $78,790 | $156,400 | Associate | +4.1% | 13,910 |
| 12 | Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $78,350 | $118,330 | Associate | +2.8% | 59,930 |
| 13 | Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $78,190 | $115,700 | Associate | +2.4% | 95,130 |
| 14 | Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $76,870 | $120,290 | Associate | -3.4% | 17,920 |
| 15 | Computer Network Support Specialists | $76,220 | $127,780 | Associate | +1.2% | 146,190 |
| 16 | Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $74,510 | $106,050 | Associate | +1.3% | 36,190 |
| 17 | Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $74,310 | $121,350 | Associate | +3.7% | 62,960 |
| 18 | Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $73,900 | $109,890 | Associate | +2.6% | 15,520 |
| 19 | Occupational Therapy Assistants | $72,300 | $89,780 | Associate | +21.5% | 51,290 |
| 20 | Legal Support Workers, All Other | $72,110 | $179,960 | Associate | -0.3% | 46,760 |
| 21 | Mechanical Drafters | $71,550 | $106,580 | Associate | -6.0% | 39,960 |
| 22 | Physical Therapist Assistants | $68,380 | $89,510 | Associate | +23.0% | 112,430 |
| 23 | Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars | $68,020 | $117,420 | Associate | +15.9% | 38,100 |
| 24 | Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $67,820 | $106,550 | Associate | +4.8% | 16,540 |
| 25 | Architectural and Civil Drafters | $66,150 | $99,710 | Associate | +5.2% | 103,700 |
| 26 | Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $66,120 | $99,150 | Associate | +3.1% | 75,570 |
| 27 | Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $64,950 | $98,980 | Associate | +3.2% | 68,520 |
| 28 | Hydrologic Technicians | $64,790 | $100,480 | Associate | -1.3% | 2,840 |
| 29 | Drafters, All Other | $63,520 | $99,380 | Associate | -7.3% | 14,470 |
| 30 | Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers | $63,520 | $103,990 | Associate | +1.2% | 11,140 |
| 31 | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $62,890 | $101,500 | Associate | -0.3% | 392,880 |
| 32 | Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $62,280 | $102,690 | Associate | +4.4% | 73,910 |
| 33 | Medical Equipment Repairers | $61,660 | $98,280 | Associate | +12.6% | 65,990 |
| 34 | Chemical Technicians | $60,390 | $92,040 | Associate | +4.9% | 57,540 |
| 35 | Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $59,920 | $96,660 | Associate | +3.1% | 12,190 |
| 36 | Broadcast Technicians | $59,570 | $123,670 | Associate | -3.1% | 21,110 |
| 37 | Embalmers | $58,780 | $77,570 | Associate | +0.7% | 3,890 |
| 38 | Desktop Publishers | $55,290 | $96,170 | Associate | -14.5% | 3,350 |
| 39 | Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $55,090 | $94,160 | Associate | +6.9% | 34,670 |
| 40 | Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers | $55,010 | $88,620 | Associate | +3.0% | 25,100 |
| 41 | Forest and Conservation Technicians | $54,560 | $83,630 | Associate | -2.1% | 30,410 |
| 42 | Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $53,350 | $99,560 | Associate | +3.6% | 6,980 |
| 43 | Food Science Technicians | $52,130 | $78,820 | Associate | +4.8% | 14,600 |
| 44 | Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping | $50,610 | $68,280 | Associate | -6.2% | 90,220 |
| 45 | Agricultural Technicians | $49,630 | $76,480 | Associate | +5.4% | 15,130 |
| 46 | Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $47,380 | $63,180 | Associate | +9.4% | 129,140 |
| 47 | Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $38,140 | $61,390 | Associate | +4.5% | 478,780 |
| 48 | Dietetic Technicians | $37,640 | $54,020 | Associate | +2.7% | 31,560 |
“No.” is the position in this list. Each occupation page shows its rank among all occupations. Wages exclude the self-employed, overtime and non-production bonuses.