Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on FlexJobs.com.
If you want to advance your career without committing to a four-year degree, you’re not alone. An associate degree could be the ideal solution, providing a quicker path to high-paying jobs in fields like health care, marketing, tech, and more.
Whether you’re seeking entry-level, part-time, or full-time work, this two-year degree offers a fast track into growing industries with competitive pay.
In this guide to associate degree jobs, you’ll discover some of the top jobs you can get with an associate degree and companies that hire for associate degree jobs.
We’ve compiled salary data from Payscale and job growth projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to give you a clear view of your choices. These top jobs you can get with an associate degree might be just what you need to launch your next career move.
1. Accounting
Median salary: $48,387
Accounting professionals with an associate degree can work as bookkeepers or accounting clerks. These roles involve managing financial records, preparing reports, and ensuring the accuracy of transactions.
With the BLS projecting about 174,900 openings each year over the next decade, this field has plenty of opportunities.
2. Administrative
Median salary: $54,205
Administrative roles, such as executive assistants or office managers, may not necessarily require a degree. However, an associate degree can increase your earning potential.
These positions involve handling office operations, scheduling, and administrative tasks. The BLS projects 367,500 open positions annually throughout the administrative sector over the next decade.
3. Automotive
Median salary: $57,001
With an associate degree in automotive technology, you can work as an automotive service technician or mechanic, maintaining and repairing cars and trucks.
Automotive service technician and mechanic jobs are expected to grow by 3% over the next 10 years.
4. Biology
Median salary: $53,238
Jobs in biology for associate degree holders include research and development (R&D) laboratory technicians or environmental technicians, assisting in research or environmental monitoring.
Over the next decade, job growth for biological technicians is projected to be 7%.
5. Business
Median salary: $71,166
With a business-focused associate degree, you can enter roles like business analyst or sales manager. Business degrees open the door to a variety of fields, including finance, marketing, and operations.
There is plenty of opportunity in the business field, with projected growth for roles like sales managers, one of the highest-paying jobs with an associate degree in business, at 6% for the next 10 years.
6. Computer Science
Median salary: $65,922
There are lucrative opportunities for those exploring computer science associate degree jobs, such as computer support specialists or network administrators. These positions involve maintaining computer systems and ensuring smooth IT operations.
The BLS reports about 356,700 openings annually in the computer science sector.
7. Counselor
Median salary: $46,695
Associate degree holders can work as substance abuse counselors or mental health assistants, providing support and guidance to individuals in need.
The mental health field is growing rapidly, with projected job growth of 19% over the next 10 years.
8. Culinary
Median salary: $49,057
Culinary professionals with an associate degree can become chefs or kitchen managers, overseeing food preparation and menu planning. The BLS projects 8% growth in jobs for chefs and cooks in the next decade.
9. Dental Hygienist
Median salary: $66,687
A popular path for associate degree holders is to become dental hygienists, who perform oral cleanings and educate patients on dental care. The projected growth for dental hygienists over the next 10 years is 9%.
10. Education
Median salary: $37,699
With an associate degree, you can pursue roles such as a preschool teacher or teaching assistant, working with young children and supporting educational programs.
There is always a need for educators, and the projected growth for preschool teaching jobs over the next decade is 4%.
11. Engineering
Median salary: $61,180
Engineering technicians, including civil engineering technicians or mechanical engineering technicians, assist engineers in designing and building projects.
Job growth over the next 10 years for engineering technicians is projected to be from 2% to 4%, depending on the specialty.
12. Graphic Design
Median salary: $51,397
Graphic designers with an associate degree can work in areas like web design or advertising, creating visual content for brands and companies.
The BLS projects a 2% job growth for graphic designers over the next decade.
13. Health Science
Median salary: $50,465
There are many health science associate degree jobs. For example, medical laboratory technicians or radiologic technologists perform diagnostic tests and assist health care professionals.
Clinical laboratory technicians can expect a 5% increase in job growth over the next 10 years.
14. Human Resources
Median salary: $45,547
An associate degree in human resources (HR) can lead to roles such as HR assistants or payroll coordinators who manage employee records and payroll processing.
This sector has a projected job growth of 8% in the next decade.
15. Information Technology
Median salary: $55,307
In information technology (IT), associate degree holders can work as IT support specialists or systems administrators, ensuring that computer systems and networks function efficiently.
In the next 10 years, IT support job opportunities are expected to grow by 6%.
16. Law Enforcement
Median salary: $60,719
With an associate degree, you can become a police officer or correctional officer, maintaining public safety and law enforcement.
The law enforcement sector has a projected job growth rate of 4% over the next decade.
17. Marketing
Median salary: $50,366
Marketing roles, such as marketing coordinators or social media specialists, are available to those with an associate degree.
They help promote products and manage brand presence online. Marketing roles are projected to grow by 8% over the next decade.
18. Medical
Median salary: $54,461
Medical professionals with an associate degree can become medical assistants or licensed practical nurses (LPN), providing direct patient care and administrative support.
The BLS reports an estimated 1.9 million health care job openings each year.
19. Paralegal
Median salary: $54,298
An associate degree in paralegal studies can prepare you for a career as a paralegal or legal assistant, helping lawyers prepare for trials and draft documents.
Employment of paralegals and legal assistants is projected to grow by 1% over the next decade.
20. Physical Therapy Assistant
Median salary: $52,782
Physical therapy assistants (PTAs) work under the direction of physical therapists to help patients recover from injuries and improve mobility.
The projected job growth for PTAs over the next 10 years is 19% — much faster than the national average.
21. Psychiatric Support
Median salary: $49,714
In psychology, associate degree holders can work as psychiatric technicians or counseling aides, supporting mental health professionals.
Like counseling, psychiatric support jobs have a high growth rate over the next decade, at 13%.
22. Real Estate
Median salary: $58,123
With an associate degree, you can become a real estate agent or property manager, helping clients buy, sell, and manage properties.
Real estate jobs are anticipated to grow at a rate of 2% in the next 10 years.
23. Technician
Median salary: $54,960
Technician roles span various industries, including health care and manufacturing. For example, with an associate degree, you can become an HVAC technician, ensuring the proper installation and functioning of heating and cooling systems.
Technician jobs across the board are expected to grow significantly in the next decade, with projected growth for HVAC technicians at a rate of 9%.
24. Veterinary Technician
Median salary: $41,027
Veterinary professionals with an associate degree can work as veterinary technicians, assisting veterinarians with animal care and medical procedures.
There are plenty of opportunities for aspiring veterinary technicians, with a job growth outlook of 19% in the next 10 years.
25. Web Developer
Median salary: $65,498
Web developers with associate degrees design and build websites, often working on both the technical and design aspects of website creation.
Demand for web developers is expected to grow by 8% over the next decade.
10 Companies Hiring for Associate Degree Jobs
Many companies recognize the value of hiring candidates with an associate degree, offering fully remote jobs and hybrid roles across various sectors, like health care, technology, and finance.
Kickstart your company research with these companies that hire associate degree holders.
1. CVS Health
CVS Health is the largest provider of health care services and prescriptions in the United States, fulfilling over 1 billion annual prescriptions. The company also retails cosmetics, seasonal merchandise, convenience foods, greeting cards, and photo and film services.
2. Dane Street
Dane Street is an independent medical examination (IME) and peer-review organization that provides credible, objective exams and reviews for the health care and insurance markets. The company’s lines of business include auto and liability, workers’ compensation, group health, and disability, including pharmacy services.
3. Duke Energy
Duke Energy is one of the largest electric power holding companies in the U.S., serving customers in the Midwest and Southeast. The company specializes in solar power, commercial power, renewable energy, wind power, smart grid power, and energy from coal, oil, and nuclear sources.
4. LHH – Lee Hecht Harrison
Lee Hecht Harrison (LHH) is a management consulting company with local expertise, global infrastructure, industry-leading technology, and insight to identify and deliver opportunities. The company specializes in helping clients with coaching, leadership development, and assessment and analytics services.
5. Olsson Associates
Olsson Associates is an employee-owned consulting, design, and engineering company. It specializes in public and private infrastructure projects related to water resources and treatment, landscape architecture and land development, environmental resources and compliance, transportation, and urban planning.
6. Orora Group
Orora Group is a global leader in packaging solutions, visual communication, and distribution services. The company works closely with its clients across a wide range of industries, providing everything from innovative packaging to eye-catching displays.
7. Philips
Operating subsidiaries in lighting, lifestyle, and health care, Philips is a leading provider of home health care, acute care, oral health care, contemporary art, lighting applications, jewelry and watches, energy-efficient lighting solutions, and photographs for global markets.
8. Sargent & Lundy
Sargent & Lundy is an engineering firm focused on power and energy projects. The company provides comprehensive engineering, project management, and consulting services for various energy sectors, including nuclear, fossil, renewable, and electric grid infrastructure.
9. Trinity Health
Trinity Health is a multi-institutional health care network that provides over 30 million people with compassionate healing services. The network is one of the largest Catholic health care systems in the U.S., with 93 hospitals and over 120 care locations across 22 states.
10. Zurich Insurance Group
Zurich Insurance Group is a leading provider of multi-line insurance products for customers around the world. The company has worked with individuals and private businesses of all sizes to help them understand their potential risks and take protective action.
