Careers that need an associate degree
18 occupations where BLS lists the typical entry education as an associate's degree, sorted by median pay.
Updated
| Occupation | Median pay | Growth | Openings/yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dental hygienists | $98,100 | +8.0% | 15,000 | Associate's degree |
| Diagnostic medical sonographers | $96,590 | +13.9% | 6,000 | Associate's degree |
| Respiratory therapists | $82,280 | +8.5% | 8,600 | Associate's degree |
| Radiologic technologists and technicians | $80,110 | +5.0% | 13,000 | Associate's degree |
| Electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians | $78,190 | +2.4% | 8,100 | Associate's degree |
| Computer network support specialists | $76,220 | +1.2% | 9,000 | Associate's degree |
| Occupational therapy assistants | $72,300 | +21.5% | 8,100 | Associate's degree |
| Physical therapist assistants | $68,380 | +23.0% | 18,500 | Associate's degree |
| Architectural and civil drafters | $66,150 | +5.2% | 9,100 | Associate's degree |
| Industrial engineering technologists and technicians | $66,120 | +3.1% | 6,600 | Associate's degree |
| Civil engineering technologists and technicians | $64,950 | +3.2% | 6,100 | Associate's degree |
| Paralegals and legal assistants | $62,890 | -0.3% | 40,800 | Associate's degree |
| Medical equipment repairers | $61,660 | +12.6% | 8,200 | Associate's degree |
| Chemical technicians | $60,390 | +4.9% | 7,600 | Associate's degree |
| Environmental science and protection technicians, including health | $55,090 | +6.9% | 5,300 | Associate's degree |
| Human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping | $50,610 | -6.2% | 7,900 | Associate's degree |
| Veterinary technologists and technicians | $47,380 | +9.4% | 13,400 | Associate's degree |
| Preschool teachers, except special education | $38,140 | +4.5% | 66,700 | Associate's degree |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, Table 1.2 Occupational projections, 2025–35, and worker characteristics, 2025 ↗. Employment is for 2025, projections to 2035; median annual wage is for 2025; openings are the projected annual average for 2025–35. Figures are national, not local. Data last downloaded Oct 16, 2026.