15 Jobs That Pay $100K or More With An Associates Degree
Forget about spending four years in college just to end up broke and burned out. The truth is, a solid two-year degree can get you trained, hired, and earning real money faster than most traditional paths.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects jobs for associate degree holders to grow 6.3% between 2023 and 2033. Even better, the median salary is $62,180, which already beats the national median of $48,060.
In this article, we’re breaking down jobs that only require a two-year associate degree and can pay around or well above $100,000 a year. You’ll see what it takes to get there, and how these roles can lead to serious income without drowning in student loans.
If you want the best financial return on your education, this is where it starts.
Table of Contents
Air Traffic Controller
This is one of the few jobs where you can earn six figures without ever touching a bachelor’s degree. Air traffic controllers are the nerve center of aviation tracking flights, managing takeoffs and landings, and keeping the skies safe.
It’s intense, mentally demanding work, but the payoff is real. The median salary is around $144,580, and some controllers clear well over $180,000 once they build experience.
All it takes to get started is an associate degree and completing FAA Academy training, which is highly selective but worth it. The role comes with government benefits, early retirement options, and serious job security.
If you can stay cool under pressure and think fast, this is one of the most financially rewarding two-year paths out there.
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Nuclear Technician
Nuclear techs work behind the scenes at power plants and research facilities, keeping reactors stable and systems safe. You’re monitoring radiation, running diagnostic tests, and supporting engineers without needing to wear the title.
The median salary is about $104,240, and those in high-demand regions or federal roles can pull in even more. An associate degree in nuclear technology or applied science is the typical starting point, and once you’re trained, opportunities are steady and well-compensated.
This isn’t the kind of job you stumble into, it’s for people who want structure, precision, and high-stakes responsibility. If you like the idea of working in a controlled environment with clear systems and high pay, nuclear tech is one of the cleanest plays in the energy space.
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Radiation Therapist
This job puts you right in the middle of the fight against cancer. Radiation therapists operate machines that deliver precise doses of radiation to patients undergoing treatment. It’s serious, impactful work, but it doesn’t require four years of schooling.
With just a two-year degree and the right certification, you can earn a median salary of $101,990, and experienced therapists often exceed $104,800. Most work in hospitals or cancer centers, and the schedule is usually steady, no night shifts, no emergency calls.
The technical side is just as important as the human side here, because you’re guiding people through one of the hardest chapters of their lives. If you want meaning, stability, and income all in one job, this one checks every box.
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Software Developer / Engineer (Associate Path)
You don’t need a computer science degree to code for a living. Many software engineers start with an associate degree, learn fast, and level up through real-world projects and certifications.
Early career salaries hover around $67,200, and mid-career pay hits $112,400 once you build a solid portfolio. The job market rewards skill, not diplomas, and if you can prove you can build, fix, and ship code, companies will pay for it.
You can work in-house, freelance, or remote, and you control how fast you scale. Some developers break six figures in a few years, faster than most people climbing the corporate ladder with four-year degrees.
If you’re self-driven and like solving problems with logic and creativity, this is one of the best-value careers out there.
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Fire Chief (Fire Technology Track)
You don’t get to the top of a fire department without putting in serious work, but the path can start with a two-year degree. Many fire chiefs begin as entry-level firefighters, move through the ranks, and build their leadership skills over time.
With a foundation in fire science and years of experience, the role pays off. The average salary for a fire chief is around $105,000, and it can climb depending on city size and department scope.
This is a hands-on career where decisions matter and leadership isn’t optional. The job blends public service, risk management, and operations oversight. It’s one of the rare roles that pays well and still earns community respect.
Commercial Pilot (Non-Airline)
Not all pilots fly for the airlines. Commercial pilots in charter services, cargo, firefighting, or aerial surveying often follow a different path, one that skips the bachelor’s degree and focuses on flying hours and certification.
Salaries range anywhere from $91,000 to $165,000, depending on experience, flight type, and location. What matters most is the FAA commercial license and logged flight time. Many start as flight instructors, then transition into more lucrative contracts.
Pay scales fast once you build hours and reputation. It’s not a desk job, but for those who want to earn well in the air, this is a legitimate route.
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Instrumentation & Control Engineering Technician
In industries like power generation, aerospace, and manufacturing, precision isn’t optional and that’s where this job comes in. These technicians install and maintain complex control systems that keep machinery running at peak performance.
It’s technical, detail-heavy work with no room for shortcuts. Mid-career salaries average around $101,900, and the right certifications can push that number higher. The training is focused and short, usually through an associate degree in control systems or industrial engineering tech.
This is the kind of role where competence is obvious and rewarded fast. People who understand systems and know how to keep them running rarely sit idle.
Master Plumber
This is the kind of job people underestimate, until they see the invoice. Master plumbers don’t just fix leaks; they design systems, manage crews, and run businesses that bring in serious cash.
After completing an associate degree and an apprenticeship, licensed plumbers can earn over $100,000, especially in urban markets or through self-employment. Many build client lists and expand into contracting or consulting roles.
It’s a trade that rewards reliability and reputation over degrees or titles. The demand isn’t going anywhere, and the pay reflects that. Quietly, it’s one of the most dependable six-figure careers on the list.
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Boilermaker
These workers build and repair large containers for liquids and gases, think tanks, pressure vessels, and boilers used in energy and manufacturing. It’s physically demanding and sometimes requires travel to industrial sites, but the pay makes it worth it.
The average salary sits around $75,000, with many hitting $100,000+ in sectors like shipbuilding, oil, or unionized jobs. Training typically comes through a technical program or associate degree, followed by hands-on apprenticeship work.
This is not a job where you sit back and coast, it rewards those who show up and do it right. For people who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty, the checks are steady and strong.
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Computer Network Support Specialist
In a world where almost everything runs online, someone has to keep the systems alive. That’s where network support specialists come in. They troubleshoot issues, maintain servers, manage connectivity, and stop tech meltdowns before they spiral.
The average salary lands at $122,584, with the top earners making $143,488. You don’t need a computer science degree, an associate in network administration or IT will do. Stack that with certifications like CompTIA or Cisco, and the doors start opening.
Many work in-house for companies, others freelance or contract, and the remote work options are wide open. For people who understand how tech works and like solving problems without layers of meetings, this job pays now and keeps paying later.
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Power Plant Operator / Power Distributor
In the world of utilities, this role carries weight. Power plant operators and distributors keep electricity flowing to entire regions, running the control boards and monitoring systems that can’t afford to fail.
It’s a serious job with serious pay, median salary hovers around $94,790, and with experience, many hit six figures. Training usually starts with a two-year degree in energy systems or industrial technology. There’s also in-house instruction and certifications to level up.
The work is stable, shifts are structured, and once you’re in, it’s tough to find a reason to leave. It’s one of those careers that pays well, lasts long, and flies under most people’s radar.
The hours are often consistent, and the emotional payoff is real, you’re part of something that matters. It’s a job that blends tech, health care, and human impact in a way few others do.
Dental Hygienist
Dental hygienists are often the quiet earners in the healthcare world. They handle cleanings, patient education, and early screenings, work that’s essential but often overlooked.
The median salary is around $94,260, and in high-cost-of-living areas or private practices, pay can top $100,000. An associate degree and state licensure open the door, and after that, your schedule is what you make it.
Many hygienists work part-time in multiple clinics or negotiate high hourly rates. It’s a flexible, high-value role that doesn’t get enough attention. If you want good income, solid hours, and less stress than most clinical jobs, this one delivers.
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MRI Technologist
Magnetic resonance imaging isn’t just high-tech, it’s high-paying when you specialize and stack experience. MRI techs work with radiologists to produce detailed images for diagnosis and treatment planning.
The median salary comes in at $87,630, and those who work in large hospital systems or specialize in advanced techniques can go well past $100,000. Most start with an associate degree in radiologic technology and then add MRI certification.
It’s a role that requires precision, calm under pressure, and a strong understanding of patient care. For a two-year track, this one offers long-term value and upward mobility.
Electrical Line Installer and Repairer
This job isn’t for the faint of heart, you’re working at heights, in all weather, around high voltage. But that risk comes with reward. Lineworkers install and maintain power lines that keep entire cities running, and top earners bring in $105,000 or more thanks to overtime and hazard pay.
The median salary sits near $82,770, and many start with a technical associate degree or union apprenticeship. It’s physical, demanding work that rewards grit and skill.
Utility companies and public agencies are always hiring, and job stability is solid. In a world where the lights have to stay on, lineworkers are the unsung backbone and they’re paid accordingly.
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Construction Manager
This is where blueprints turn into buildings. Construction managers run crews, budgets, timelines, and materials. You’re not swinging the hammer, you’re running the show. It’s part leadership, part logistics, all responsibility.
The average salary clocks in at $133,887, with the top earners hitting $168,900. You can start with an associate degree in construction management or building science, then gain field experience to climb fast.
Many who start in trades move into management after years of hands-on work. The best part? You’re not stuck in one industry, commercial, residential, infrastructure, even renewable energy all need people who can get projects done right.
For someone who can think five steps ahead and doesn’t mind a hard hat, this path builds both money and momentum.
Jobs That Prove 2 Years Is All You Need
Four years in college isn’t the only way to hit six figures. These jobs prove that smart, focused training can pay off faster and without crushing debt.
A two-year degree backed with real skills still beats out a fancy diploma with no direction. If your goal is freedom, not status, this is the smarter route.
The path is shorter, the cost is lower, and the upside is a lot higher than most people think.
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