Want to consider building multiple unrelated skill sets? It makes more sense to earn multiple associate degrees than multiple four-year degrees. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Similarly, the risk of financial waste is much less with an associate\u2019s degree. Earning an associate degree is several times less expensive than earning a traditional bachelor\u2019s. The payoff of pursuing this two-year degree is excellent \u2013 especially if you choose an associate degree that pays well<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n RELATED: Highest Paying Degrees in Associates – Majors & Careers<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n How much can you earn with an associate’s degree? For the highest-paying associate degree jobs<\/strong>, you will find median annual salary data of more than $45,000. Our list of the highest paid associates degree jobs<\/strong> includes roles with median annual salaries in the $60,000, $70,000, $80,000 and $90,000 ranges. In fact, the best jobs with associates degree<\/strong> level of education may have median salaries approaching or exceeding the six-figure range. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For more on the best and most lucrative careers available to a professional with an associate\u2019s degree, read on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The evolution of higher education over the past seventy years proves one thing. The best education path \u2013 in terms of value and efficiency \u2013 is in a state of constant flux. <\/span><\/p>\n From the fifties to the early nineties, the four-year degree reigned as the undisputed king of jumpstarting careers. Earning a bachelor’s degree affordably and effectively unlocked top-tier salaries.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n RELATED: Associate Degrees: Bang for Your Education Buck<\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n Today, the <\/span><\/span>abundance<\/span><\/span> of possible education paths shifts the value away from the four-year bachelor\u2019s degree<\/span><\/span>.<\/span> It\u2019s not that students aren\u2019t pursuing bachelor\u2019s degrees anymore. Rather, more students want to consider alternative paths.<\/span><\/p>\n Millennial and Generation Z workers are more likely to have side hustles and entrepreneurial pursuits. These pursuits may even replace the traditional, linear career paths that were the norm of their predecessors<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Gen X\u2019ers are now jumping on board, too. <\/span>Stay-at-home moms are starting Shopify and Etsy businesses. Dads are adopting side hustles to boost the income of their day jobs. Time is money, after all. <\/span><\/p>\n With all this in mind, the key to building a lucrative career seems to be adaptability. The most successful entry-level professionals are able to jump on specific skill development to capitalize on the emerging needs of the market.<\/span><\/p>\n In the 2020s, everything moves fast. As such, it is becoming more common for the younger generations to decide against a four-year commitment in favor of programs of study and training that prepare students for multiple tangential career paths at once. <\/span><\/p>\n College still provides a strong base for any aspiring professionals. Associate degrees might get you the same results more <\/span>efficiently<\/span><\/span> and <\/span>affordably<\/span><\/span>. <\/span>An associates degree represents one of the best options available to build skills <\/span><\/span>quickly<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n RELATED: Which College Degree Is Easiest?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n How do you identify the\u00a0best-paying associate degrees<\/strong>? You start by looking at the median annual salaries of jobs you can get with only an associate degree. As it turns out, there are plenty of\u00a0good paying jobs with associates degree<\/strong> education. You just have to look at the data and be willing to keep an open mind to find them.\u00a0<\/p>\n We organized this ranking according to the following methodology:<\/p>\n Before we dive into the ranking, there are some clear takeaways to note:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Firstly, many of the most lucrative careers listed in this resource require a high level of specialization. These jobs may not <\/span>require<\/span><\/span> a college education. <\/span>However<\/span><\/span>, they usually <\/span>require<\/span><\/span> considerable skill development or education.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The process of acquiring this specialized knowledge can take the form of:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Secondly, many of these high-end careers offer top-notch salaries because the skill requirement for these roles is so high. Although this list encompasses the <\/span>highest-paying associate degree jobs<\/strong>, achieving top earning potential in these jobs may require more than an associate’s degree. To unlock the upper-percentile salaries in any one of these fields, you may need additional work experience or schooling.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Ultimately, your ability to earn the highest salary with an associate degree depends on the extent of your skills and experience.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Required Degree – <\/strong>Associate Degree in Air Traffic Control<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Median Annual Salary – <\/strong>$124,000<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Career Description<\/strong><\/p>\n Air traffic controllers take home some of the most impressive salaries you will see for a career that does not require a bachelor\u2019s degree. Air traffic controllers earn a six-figure median salary. The high-end air traffic controller salary, however, is indicative of the high level of responsibility required of air traffic controllers. <\/span><\/p>\n Air traffic controllers are the quarterbacks of the skies. An air traffic controller directs landing and taking-off procedures for all manner of aircraft. Another responsibility of an air traffic controller is to monitor all in-progress flights. Have ever wondered how thousands of planes could all take off, fly thousands of miles and land without crashing into one another? Air traffic controllers are the ones to thank. Given the importance of this role, it’s no wonder that air traffic controller is one of the <\/span>best associate degree jobs<\/strong>.<\/p>\n < Career Requirements\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Most air traffic controllers work for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). If you want to become an air traffic controller, you need to earn a degree accredited by the Federal Aviation Administration.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n An array of institutions offer associate degree programs that are fully accredited by the Federal Aviation Administration for aspiring air traffic controllers. At some schools, an aspiring air traffic controller can complete a degree program accredited by the Federal Aviation Administration for a tuition cost of less than $20,000.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Highest](\"https:\/\/www.degreequery.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/shutterstock_1768843151.jpg\")
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50 Highest-Paying Associate Degree Careers<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Air Traffic Controller\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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