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transfer to a four-year college</a>. It can prepare you for a rewarding career. There are even many associate degree careers that pay well.</p>
<p>If you like the idea of being career-ready after graduating from community college, you need to be smart about choosing your major. Not all community college programs prepare you for the workforce. Some just prepare you for more schooling. That’s why it’s helpful to work backwards. Find a job that requires a two-year degree and then choose your major accordingly.</p>
<h3>How to Find Jobs that Require a Two-Year Degree</h3>
<p>So, what careers only require an associate degree? A lot of them. Best of all, finding these jobs that require a two-year degree won’t take too long at all. The <a href=https://plexuss.com/n/"https://www.bls.gov/bls/employment.htm">Bureau of Labor and Statistics Employment</a> website contains everything you could want to know about employment in the United States. Most useful to you is their <a href=https://plexuss.com/n/"https://www.bls.gov/ooh/occupation-finder.htm">Occupation Finder</a> tool. You can filter by entry-level education type to see only a list of associate degree jobs. The chart also reveals data on median annual wage, projected number of new jobs, and on-the-job training requirements.</p>
<p>Speaking with an admissions counselor or career counselor at your local community college about associate degree careers is a good step to take too. They can answer questions about the degree programs at the school and what job opportunities graduates have pursued.</p>
<h2>8 Highest Paying Two-Year Degree Jobs</h2>
<p>The following associate degree careers list contains eight of the best two-year degree jobs. It was determined using information found on the Bureau of Labor and Statistics website.</p>
<h3><a href=https://plexuss.com/n/"https://www.bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/air-traffic-controllers.htm">Air Traffic Controllers</a></h3>
<p><img src=https://plexuss.com/n/"https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/asset.plexuss.com/news/images/associate-degree-careers-that-pay-well.jpg" alt="Associate Degree Careers that Pay Well" width="400" height="250" /></p>
<p>On-the-Job-Training?: Long-term</p>
<p>Median Annual Wage: $124,540</p>
<p>Air traffic controllers coordinate how airplanes and other aircraft move throughout the sky and on land. They’re responsible for informing pilots of poor weather conditions, controlling departures and arrivals, and alerting the right people in case of an emergency. It’s a high stress job, which is why air traffic controller is the highest paying two-year degree job. To pursue this career, you need to attend an <a href=https://plexuss.com/n/"https://www.faa.gov/jobs/students/schools/media/air-traffic-cti-schools.pdf">approved Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) school</a>.</p>
<h3><a href=https://plexuss.com/n/"https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/radiation-therapists.htm">Radiation Therapist</a></h3>
<p>On-the-Job-Training?: None</p>
<p>Median Annual Wage: $80,570</p>
<p>Radiation therapists work directly with patients, treating cancer and other illnesses with radiation treatments. These medical workers keep patients safe during treatment, explain treatment plans, operate the machinery, and monitor the patient’s health during treatment. Most radiation therapists work in hospitals or private physicians’ offices. While working toward your two-year degree in radiation therapy, expect to take a lot of science and math courses.</p>
<h3><a href=https://plexuss.com/n/"https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/nuclear-technicians.htm">Nuclear Technicians</a></h3>
<p>On-the-Job-Training?: Moderate-term</p>
<p>Median Annual Wage: $80,370</p>
<p>Nuclear Technicians use specialty equipment to monitor radiation levels produced by experiments and power generation. Other duties include collecting samples and testing for radioactive contamination and providing instruction on radiation safety procedures. You might work alongside physicists in a lab or oversee nuclear waste disposal at a waste management facility.</p>
<p>To start this associate degree career, you need to study nuclear science or another nuclear-related technology program. The degree program will set you up for success, but it won’t fully prepare you. A lot of your education will happen during on-the-job training.</p>
<h3><a href=https://plexuss.com/n/"https://www.bls.gov/ooh/personal-care-and-service/funeral-service-occupations.htm#tab-1">Funeral Services Manager</a></h3>
<p>On-the-Job-Training?: None</p>
<p>Median Annual Wage: $78,040</p>
<p>Funeral services managers run funeral home businesses. They do everything from managing staff to handling the finances to taking the lead on public relations and marketing efforts. The majority of funeral services managers (66%) are self-employed and own their own funeral homes.</p>
<p>More than 60 community colleges offer 2-year degree programs accredited by the <a href=https://plexuss.com/n/"http://abfse.org/">American Board of Funeral Service Education</a> (ABFSE). You must attend one of these programs if you’re interested in this career path. During college, you’ll need to complete an internship or apprenticeship with a licensed funeral director or manager. Before beginning work, you need to pass a state and/or national board exam.</p>
<h3><a href=https://plexuss.com/n/"https://www.bls.gov/ooh/Healthcare/Nuclear-medicine-technologists.htm#tab-4">Nuclear Medicine Technologist</a></h3>
<p>On-the-Job-Training?: None</p>
<p>Median Annual Wage: $75,660</p>
<p>Nuclear medicine technologists are responsible for preparing radioactive drugs and giving them to patients who need treatment or imaging done. They work directly with patients, answering questions, ensuring their safety, and monitoring their condition during treatment. In this job, you also operate imaging equipment.</p>
<p>Interested in this two-year degree job? You need to complete an accredited nuclear medicine technology program at a community college, which includes clinical work with a certified healthcare professional. The degree program will earn you a certification in your field, but you’ll still need a license to work. License requirements vary by state. </p>
<h3><a href=https://plexuss.com/n/"https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dental-hygienists.htm">Dental Hygienists</a></h3>
<p>On-the-Job-Training?: None</p>
<p>Median Annual Wage: $74,070</p>
<p>Dental hygienists assist dentists by cleaning patient’s teeth, filling cavities, taking x-rays, and assisting in oral surgery. In this job, you’d spend your days on your feet working directly with patients in a clinical setting. People will always need their teeth cleaned, so job availability for this occupation is expected to grow by 20% in the next five years. Unlike most community college degree programs, dental hygienist programs can take three years to complete. Part of your schooling will involve gaining hands-on experience in a dentist’s office.</p>
<h3><a href=https://plexuss.com/n/"https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/diagnostic-medical-sonographers.htm">Diagnostic Medical Sonographers</a></h3>
<p>On-the-Job-Training?: None</p>
<p>Median Annual Wage: $71,410</p>
<p>Diagnostic medical sonographers, also called diagnostic imaging workers, perform ultrasounds on patients and look for abnormalities. These professionals usually work in a hospital setting and often work one-on-one with patients when they come in for testing. Along with conducting the ultrasound, diagnostic medical sonographers check the images for quality, analyze the images, write up a summary for the doctor, and keep records of all findings.</p>
<p>Most hospitals prefer that their sonographers complete a degree program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). <a href=https://plexuss.com/n/"https://www.caahep.org/Students/Find-a-Program.aspx">Find an accredited CAAHEP program near you</a> for more specific details. Most colleges on the list are community colleges, but some are four-year schools or technical institutes.</p>
<h3><a href=https://plexuss.com/n/"https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/radiologic-technologists.htm#tab-1">Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists</a></h3>
<p>On-the-Job-Training?: None</p>
<p>Median Annual Wage: $69,930</p>
<p>MRI technologists take MRIs of patients in a hospital, physicians office, diagnostic laboratory, or an outpatient care center. They’re responsible for maintaining the MRI machine, preparing patients for test, using the computer to take images, and working with physicians to read the images. Along with completing an associate degree, you might also need to obtain a certification from the <a href=https://plexuss.com/n/"https://www.armrit.org/">American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists</a> (ARMRIT) and a license to practice. It all depends on the state you live in.</p></div>"/>
