18 High-Paying Jobs You Can Get With a 2-Year Degree
A four-year degree used to sound like the only path to a good job. But you know what they don’t tell you? The student debt, the wasted time, and the jobs that barely cover rent.
Turns out, you can get a 2-year degree that pays $100k or close to it, and you’ll skip years of school and avoid six-figure loans.
According to the latest Indeed data, these are the highest paying 2-year degrees and programs that pay well, often leading to careers earning far above the $48,000 median salary.
Some even climb past six figures once you’ve got some experience under your belt, without the cost or delay of a bachelor’s.
Here are the 2-year degrees that make $100k (or get you close), what you’ll actually learn in each program, and the kind of work you can expect after graduation.
If you care about ROI, these are the degrees that actually deliver.
Not all of these hit $100K right away, but many do with experience and that’s the kind of payoff that matters.
(It’s important to point out that I define high paying as higher than the median income. Salary estimates also vary widely across the country.)
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Mortuary Science
It might not be glamorous, but mortuary science is one of those 2-year programs that pay well and never go out of demand. This degree trains you for a career in the funeral industry, covering anatomy, embalming, funeral service law, ethics, and restorative art.
After graduating and meeting state licensing requirements, most people work as funeral directors, earning around $61,000 a year. It’s a job that requires both technical skill and emotional maturity, you’re helping families during their toughest days.
For those who can handle the weight of it, the income is stable, and the field isn’t going anywhere. People always need this service, which means recession resistance built right in.
If you’re okay working behind the scenes and don’t mind the topic, this degree quietly delivers.
Related: 24 Jobs That Pay Decently, But Most People Think They Are Too Good For
Interior Design
An associate degree in interior design blends creativity with function, prepping students to create spaces that look good and work well. The coursework covers material selection, lighting design, sustainability, space planning, and building codes.
After graduation, you can land entry-level design roles that bring in an average salary of $63,832. Some interior designers go on to specialize in commercial spaces or high-end residential projects, where the income potential jumps.
You’ll need a solid portfolio and possibly a certification depending on your state, but you don’t need to blow $100K on a design school to make this work.
It’s a good path for artistic thinkers who also have an eye for detail and structure. In a world where aesthetics matter more than ever, this skillset has real market value.
Drafting
Drafting is one of the most high-paying 2-year degrees for detail-oriented thinkers. You’ll train on CAD software to create blueprints, schematics, and design plans used by architects, engineers, and manufacturers.
Most drafters earn around $64,138 a year, with opportunities to specialize in civil, mechanical, or even aerospace design. Some expand into 3D modeling, which can boost both your earning potential and career options.
This career path rewards skill and precision over pedigree, making it a smart choice if you want a 2-year degree that pays $100k with experience.
With virtual design tools growing fast, demand for skilled drafters is only increasing.
Electrical Engineering Technology
If you want a career you can start in two years or less that mixes hands-on work with brainpower, electrical engineering technology is one of the highest paying 2-year degrees.
In this program, you’ll learn circuits, appliance repair, power systems, and troubleshooting, giving you the skills to keep complex electrical systems running.
Graduates often step into roles as electronics technicians, earning around $70,000 per year, and many work alongside licensed engineers in industries like telecom, construction, or manufacturing.
This 2-year degree can pay $100k with experience, especially if you add certifications. Employers will pay more for specialists who can solve real-world electrical problems.
Related: 24 (Easy To Get) Certifications If You Want A Higher Paying Job
Network Engineering
In a world that runs on internet connections, someone has to keep the networks alive, that’s where network engineers come in. With an associate degree in network engineering, you’ll learn to set up, secure, and maintain computer networks.
Topics include routers, cloud systems, LAN configurations, cybersecurity, and mobile connectivity. The average salary for a network administrator with this background is $71,577, and that number climbs with certifications like Cisco or CompTIA.
This is a tech career where experience and skill matter more than degrees.
If you’re looking for a 2-year degree that pays $100k eventually, network engineering is one of the smartest bets. As long as you can keep systems online and secure, your skills will stay in demand.
Related: 15 Jobs That Made People Millionaires Without a College Degree
Occupational Therapy Assistant
This is one of the most popular 2-year medical degrees that pay well, and it’s meaningful work. In just two years, you’ll study physiology, ethics, and assistive technology to help patients regain independence after illness or injury.
Once you graduate and pass the certification exam, you can earn around $74,180 per year working in hospitals, rehab centers, or long-term care facilities.
Jobs are widely available, and the demand keeps growing thanks to an aging population.
If you want a career you can start in two years or less that pays well and makes a difference, this is one of the highest-paying associate degrees you can choose.
Physical Therapy Assistant
Helping someone walk again after surgery or recover from an injury is a powerful job, and physical therapy assistant is one of the top 2-year medical degrees that make good money.
You’ll learn anatomy, biomechanics, and kinesiology while getting hands-on clinical experience that prepares you for real-world patient care.
The average salary is $75,137 per year, and once licensed, you’ll work under a physical therapist in hospitals, outpatient centers, or sports clinics. With an aging population, demand for PTAs continues to rise nationwide.
This is a 2-year program that pays well and lets you see real results from your work, every single day.
Related: 18 High-Paying Jobs Where Experience Matters More Than a Degree
Web Development
If you want a career you can start in two years or less and work from anywhere, web development is one of the best 2-year degrees that make $100k with experience.
You’ll learn coding languages, design principles, and problem-solving skills that let you build websites, apps, and digital tools.
The average salary is around $76,125 per year, but talented developers who build strong portfolios can earn much more, especially if you take on freelance or contract projects.
This field rewards skill, speed, and results, not just degrees.
If you want a flexible 2-year program that pays well, web development opens the door to remote work, higher pay, and a career that scales as you grow your skills.
Related: 17 Underrated Side Hustles That Actually Make Good Money
Aviation Maintenance
Aircraft don’t stay in the sky without skilled mechanics, which makes aviation maintenance one of the highest paying 2-year degrees you can get.
This program teaches you powerplant systems, materials, and hands-on diagnostics, preparing you to pass FAA certification and get hired fast.
The average salary is $77,773 per year, and you could be working on commercial jets, private planes, or even military aircraft. It’s technical work with real responsibility, but it pays for those who can keep planes safe and reliable.
If you want a 2-year degree that pays $100k with experience and lets you avoid an office job, this career is one of the most dependable options.
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Nursing (ASN)
If you’re looking for 2-year medical degrees that pay well, nursing is one of the best. An Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) trains you in patient care, diagnostics, and clinical judgment, often rotating you through hospital settings so you’re job-ready right after graduation.
Registered nurses with an ASN earn an average of $92,607 per year, and you can boost that number even higher with overtime or by becoming a travel nurse.
After passing the NCLEX-RN exam, you’ll have nearly endless opportunities in hospitals, private practices, and clinics.
This is a 2-year degree that pays $100k with the right experience and offers rock-solid job security in every city. If you want a respected career without taking on med school debt, nursing is one of the smartest choices you can make.
Dental Hygiene
Dental hygiene is consistently listed among the highest paying 2-year degrees, and for good reason. You’ll study oral anatomy, lab work, X-rays, and patient care so you can start working as soon as you graduate.
Dental hygienists earn around $96,298 per year, and once licensed, you can work in dental offices, clinics, or even start a mobile hygiene business for more flexibility.
This career combines healthcare stability with a balanced schedule, no night shifts or weekend calls.
If you want a 2-year program that pays well and keeps you in control of your hours, dental hygiene is hard to beat.
Related: Get Hired Fast: 25 Moves You Need to Stand Out and Land the Job
Respiratory Therapy
Breathing isn’t optional, and that’s why respiratory therapy is one of the most valuable 2-year medical degrees that pay well.
In just two years, you’ll learn diagnostic testing, treatment planning, and how to operate respiratory equipment that keeps patients breathing during critical moments.
The average salary for respiratory therapists is $98,681 per year, and most states require certification but once licensed, you’ll find jobs in hospitals, ICUs, and respiratory clinics almost everywhere.
If you want a career you can start in two years or less that makes a direct impact and pays well, respiratory therapy should be on your list.
Robotics Technology
Robotics is one of those fields that sounds futuristic but pays now. With a two-year degree in robotics tech, you can land jobs in manufacturing, aerospace, or automation and earn about $101,599 a year.
You’ll learn how to program machines, troubleshoot systems, and work with tools that most people can’t even name. The training usually includes languages like C++, electronics, and systems integration, basically, the stuff that keeps machines moving and businesses scaling.
Employers want people who can think mechanically and code logically, and this degree builds both.
If you want a 2-year degree that pays $100k and positions you in a growth industry, robotics technology is a smart choice.
Related Video: 20 Jobs That Pay $100K Without a Degree (And They’re Hiring Now)
Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Sonographers don’t just snap baby pictures, they use ultrasound tech to help diagnose everything from heart issues to organ damage. The associate degree takes about two years, includes clinical practice, and sets you up for jobs paying around $105,465 a year.
You’ll be trained in patient care, equipment use, and how to collect imaging data that helps doctors make real decisions. This is a role that’s in high demand and not just in big cities.
Hospitals, imaging centers, and private clinics are always on the lookout for qualified sonographers with sharp skills and clean certs. If you want a healthcare job that combines tech, hands-on work, and strong pay, this one’s a solid pick.
Software Engineering
You don’t need a four-year degree from a big-name school to break into tech. Software engineering is one of the 2-year degrees that make $100k or more once you gain experience.
You’ll learn programming languages, databases, and real-world debugging skills so you can start building apps and systems right away.
The average salary for software engineers with an associate degree is $109,117 per year, and many earn much more depending on what they build.
Once you’ve got a few projects under your belt, your work starts speaking for you. No dress code, no office politics, just results. For people who want flexibility and earning power baked into their skill set, this one delivers hard.
Related: Is College Still Worth It? Degrees And Student Loans Are Expensive
Nuclear Science
Nuclear science is a niche field but one of the highest paying 2-year degrees you can get. You can train to become a nuclear technician or nuclear medicine technologist, earning between $83,954 and $112,616 per year.
Either way, the training focuses on safety, radiation use, and how nuclear systems interact with energy or healthcare. This career puts you in specialized settings, power plants, hospitals, or research labs, and expects precision every step of the way.
If you’re detail-oriented and don’t mind handling complex equipment, this can be a rare but rewarding path. It’s niche, but that’s exactly why the pay is strong.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy tops the list of 2-year medical degrees that pay well, in fact, it’s one of the most lucrative. You’ll learn to operate treatment machines, plan cancer treatments, and work with oncology teams, all while supporting patients through their care.
You’ll study radiation physics, oncology, and clinical procedures, then complete hands-on training in actual treatment centers.
The average salary for radiation therapists is $121,591 per year, which makes this one of the best-paying healthcare roles that doesn’t require a bachelor’s degree. Once you’re licensed, you’ll work in treatment centers and hospitals making a real impact.
It’s focused, technical work with a clear purpose. If you’re good under pressure and want a healthcare job that pays well and means something, this one checks both boxes.
Related: Common Jobs of Millionaires According to The Millionaire Next Door
Vascular Technology
Vascular technology is one of the highest paying 2-year medical degrees that pay well and offers serious earning power.
This applied science degree trains you in anatomy, physics, and diagnostic imaging technology to detect blood flow issues before they become dangerous.
The average salary for vascular technologists is $124,028 per year, making it the top-paying career on this list. Most graduates work in hospitals, cardiology clinics, or surgical support units, and certification can make you even more competitive.
You’re not just clicking buttons on a machine, you’re helping doctors make time-sensitive decisions with real consequences. For the payoff and the precision, this degree punches way above its weight.
Two-Year Degrees That Pay Off
You don’t need four years, a mountain of debt, or a degree with fluff to make serious money. The right two-year program can lead to a job that actually pays what you’re worth.
Some of them hit six figures right out the gate, others get there with time, but all of them put you on solid ground fast. Skills matter more than status, and the job market is finally catching on.
Pick the right path, get in, and start cashing real checks.
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