Organizations are struggling to find skilled workers to fill roles, and more business leaders are saying, “Ditch the four-year degree” and still earn a six-figure salary. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that jobs for associate degree holders are expected to grow by 6.3% from 2023 to 2033. With a median annual wage of $62,180—well above the U.S. median of $48,060—these job seekers have the skills employers are looking for. The 2025 High-Pay Associate Degree Jobs Report highlights this year’s top 10 highest-paying associate degree jobs.

10 Highest-Paying Associate Degree Jobs in 2025

Heading into the New Year, associate degree-holding Americans have good job prospects, according to Resume Genius researchers. What’s more, every job on the 2025 list shows an increase in pay from 2022 to 2023 (BLS hasn’t released data on 2024 yet).

The Resume Genius analysis utilized the most recent BLS wage data and its Occupational Employment Statistics for 2023 to 2033. They also referenced insights from their 2024 report to analyze ongoing trends and verify that the chosen highest-paying associate degree roles remain consistent this year. The three criteria for inclusion on the list were:

• Jobs that specifically require an associate degree
• Jobs projected to either grow or remain steady over the next 10 years
• Jobs that have a median annual salary surpassing $48,060

The analysis identified the following careers as the highest-paying roles for associate degree holders in 2025, along with the median annual salary in parenthesis, followed by number of available jobs in 2023 and job growth between 2023 and 2033:

1. Air traffic controller ($137,380), 24,000 available jobs, three percent job growth. Associate degree or equivalent experience required. Must pass FAA assessments and training.
2. Nuclear technician ($101,740), 5,400 available jobs, six percent job growth. Associate degree in nuclear science or related field. On-the-job training provided.
3. Radiation therapist ($98,300), 17,200 available jobs, three percent job growth. Associate or bachelor’s degree in radiation therapy or related field. Licensing or certification may be required depending on state regulations.
4. Nuclear medicine technologist ($92,500), 17,800 available jobs, minus one percent job growth. Associate degree required. Licensing required in all states
5. Dental hygienist ($87,530), 214,100 available job, nine percent job growth. Associate degree in dental hygiene required. Licensing required in various states.
6. Diagnostic medical sonographer, Cardiovascular technologist/technician ($80,850), 143,400 available jobs, 11% job growth. Associate degree or post-secondary certificate. Certification may be required by employers or governing bodies.
7. Respiratory therapist ($77,960), 133,900 available jobs, 13% job growth. Associate degree in respiratory therapy required. Licensing required in most states.
8. Aerospace engineering and operations technologist/technician ($77,830), 11,000 available jobs, eight percent job growth. Associate degree in engineering technology or related field. Work experience varies by position; some employers may accept a high school diploma or certificate.
9. Radiologic and MRI technologist ($76,020), 271,200 available jobs, six percent job growth. Associate degree required. Certification often required for radiologic technologists; experience may be required for MRI technologists.
10. Aircraft and avionics equipment mechanic/technician ($75,400), 163,300 available jobs, five percent growth. Associate degree required. FAA certification required, typically gained through approved training programs.

“In 2025, wages are up across the board for every occupation on our list,” Eva Chan, career expert at Resume Genius, states. “This is great news for associate degree holders, as it highlights not only growing employer demand but also the potential to earn more in fields like healthcare, aviation, and technology. For job seekers, it’s an exciting time to leverage their skills and education to build a stable, financially rewarding future.”

4 Tips To Seek Highest-Paying Associate Degree Jobs

1. Highlight practical experience on resumes from internships or coursework, advise the Resume Genius experts. “When crafting a resume, candidates should include detailed examples of their projects or relevant coursework that align with job requirements,” they suggest. “For instance, a business management student who developed a comprehensive business plan should mention this achievement to demonstrate their strategic and analytical skills.”
2. Pursue further education, advise the experts. “Many professionals who invest in continuing education, including certifications or online bachelor’s degree programs, report enhanced career opportunities and higher earnings,” they note. “Certifications, such as CompTIA A+ for IT roles, are a time-efficient way to showcase expertise and increase job prospects.”
3. Conduct research of job roles specific to your associate degree, say the experts. “Careers in industries such as nursing, technology, engineering, healthcare administration, or business management often value the practical training provided by a two-year degree,” they share. “Exploring job boards like LinkedIn, Indeed or Glassdoor and using keywords related to their field can help candidates identify the best opportunities for their skills.”
4. Showcase strengths during employer interactions, the experts instruct. “Candidates should confidently communicate their strengths and practical abilities during interviews, cover letter writing and networking opportunities,” they underscore. “Employers appreciate adaptability and commitment to continuous learning. Including examples of on-the-job accomplishments or earned certifications can help candidates stand out. Highlighting experiences where they successfully navigated challenges or learned new skills demonstrates their readiness to contribute to any organization.”

A Final Word On Highest-Paying Associate Degree Jobs

More business leaders insist that a four-year degree is no longer necessary for jobs that can earn top dollar. This goes against a long-held tradition that everybody needs a four-year degree to be socially accepted and financially successful.

One report last year found more than 60% of employers rejected otherwise qualified candidates in terms of skills or experience simply because they did not have a college diploma. Top leaders are now stressing that companies are losing talent when they over-emphasize the importance of four year degrees and years of experience.

Marlene Dunne, expert advisor at SHL, believes companies might be missing out when they overly rely on experience. “Shifting to assess for skills—regardless of where these were acquired—and potential, could help open up talent pools for organizations that are currently being passed over,” she points out.

Stephanie Rivard, CEO of HiringBranch, agrees that there’s a skills mismatch when hiring managers put too much importance on the wrong criteria like years of experience. She adds that, “Skills-based hiring can simultaneously help companies hire the best candidate and support fair hiring practices. Research shows evaluating candidates based on skills can widen the talent pool by up to 24% and skills-based hires have a 9% longer tenure than traditional hires on average.”

Chan is also in agreement. “Skills-based hiring is continuing to change the way employers evaluate candidates,” she explains. “Things like certifications, standout projects and hands-on experience are opening up more opportunities for these high-paying jobs in fast-growing fields. Associate degrees are a great fit for this shift—they’re faster to attain, more affordable and give you the practical skills employers want. It’s a smart way to build a rewarding career without the time or cost of a four-year degree.”

A framed four-year degree on the wall is no longer necessary for highly-qualified job seekers to find the job of their dreams—one of the highest-paying associate degree jobs that is gratifying and leads to career success.