2-Year Degrees That Pay Well, Ranked by BLS Median Pay (2026)
Radiation therapy is the associate-level career with the highest BLS median annual wage on this list, $105,310 in May 2025, followed by dental hygiene at $98,100, diagnostic medical sonography at $96,590, and MRI technology at $95,480. This page ranks 15 careers that BLS lists as typically entered with an associate degree, sorted by median annual wage from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025), limited to occupations College-Reporter covers with program or career guides. Growth and openings are from BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34. Associate programs commonly take about two years of full-time study, varying by program, and most of the healthcare roles here also require a license or certification after graduation.
At a Glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Ranking criterion | BLS median annual wage, May 2025 |
| Pool definition | Occupations BLS lists as typically entered with an associate degree |
| Occupations ranked | 15 |
| Highest median on the list | Radiation therapists, $105,310 |
| Most openings per year | Computer user support specialists, about 40,800 |
| Strongest projected growth | Occupational therapy assistants, 19.2 percent |
The Ranking
| Rank | Occupation | BLS median (May 2025) | Growth 2024-34 | Openings/yr | Typical entry route |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Radiation therapists | $105,310 | 1.9 percent | about 900 | Associate degree |
| 2 | Dental hygienists | $98,100 | 7.0 percent | about 15,300 | Associate degree |
| 3 | Diagnostic medical sonographers | $96,590 | 13.0 percent | about 5,800 | Associate degree |
| 4 | MRI technologists | $95,480 | 7.1 percent | about 2,600 | Associate degree |
| 5 | Respiratory therapists | $82,280 | 12.1 percent | about 8,800 | Associate degree |
| 6 | Radiologic technologists and technicians | $80,110 | 4.3 percent | about 12,900 | Associate degree |
| 7 | Electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians | $78,190 | 0.6 percent | about 8,400 | Associate degree |
| 8 | Occupational therapy assistants | $72,300 | 19.2 percent | about 7,200 | Associate degree |
| 9 | Physical therapist assistants | $68,380 | 22.0 percent | about 19,800 | Associate degree |
| 10 | Architectural and civil drafters | $66,150 | 4.1 percent | about 10,000 | Associate degree |
| 11 | Surgical technologists | $64,650 | 4.5 percent | about 7,000 | Associate degree or certificate |
| 12 | Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians | $62,930 | 1.7 percent | about 22,600 | Associate degree (technician level) |
| 13 | Paralegals and legal assistants | $62,890 | 0.2 percent | about 39,300 | Associate degree |
| 14 | Computer user support specialists | $61,860 | -3.7 percent | about 40,800 | Associate degree or certificate |
| 15 | Veterinary technologists and technicians | $47,380 | 9.1 percent | about 14,300 | Associate degree |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (wages); BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34 (growth and openings). Some employers prefer a bachelor’s degree for roles listed here; licensing requirements vary by state.
Each Career in Brief
1. Radiation therapists
Radiation therapists operate linear accelerators to deliver cancer treatments and track patients through a course of therapy. Associate programs are the common route, bachelor’s programs also exist, and most states license the role; check your state board. The occupation is small, with about 900 openings per year. See radiation therapy programs and the radiation therapist career guide.
2. Dental hygienists
Hygienists perform cleanings, take x-rays, screen for gum disease, and coach patients on oral health. The associate degree in dental hygiene is the standard credential, followed by national and regional board exams and state licensure. See dental hygiene programs.
3. Diagnostic medical sonographers
Sonographers use ultrasound to image organs, vessels, and pregnancies, and often specialize in areas such as cardiac or vascular imaging. Associate programs are typical, and employers commonly look for ARDMS or similar certification. See sonography programs and the ultrasound technician career guide.
4. MRI technologists
MRI technologists operate magnetic resonance scanners and screen patients for safety around the magnet. Many enter through a radiologic technology associate degree and then add MRI certification; direct-entry programs also exist. See MRI technologist programs.
5. Respiratory therapists
Respiratory therapists manage ventilators, deliver breathing treatments, and work in ICUs, emergency departments, and sleep labs. An associate degree is the common minimum, though the field is moving toward bachelor’s preparation for some roles. See respiratory therapy programs.
6. Radiologic technologists and technicians
Rad techs produce x-ray and CT images. The associate degree plus ARRT certification is the standard combination. See radiology technician programs and the radiologic technologist career guide.
7. Electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians
These technicians build, test, and troubleshoot electrical and electronic equipment under engineers’ direction, in manufacturing, utilities, and product development. An associate degree in electronics or engineering technology is the usual credential. College-Reporter does not currently have a dedicated guide for this role.
8. Occupational therapy assistants
OTAs help patients regain daily-living skills after injury or illness, following an occupational therapist’s plan. An associate degree from an OTA program and a national exam are the usual path; licensing varies by state. Growth of 19.2 percent is among the strongest here. See occupational therapy assistant programs.
9. Physical therapist assistants
PTAs guide patients through exercise and treatment plans set by a physical therapist. The associate degree is the entry credential, with a national exam and state licensure. Growth of 22.0 percent is the highest on this list. See the physical therapist assistant career guide.
10. Architectural and civil drafters
Drafters turn engineers’ and architects’ designs into technical drawings using CAD and BIM software. An associate degree in drafting or design technology is the usual route. College-Reporter does not currently have a dedicated guide for this role.
11. Surgical technologists
Surgical techs prepare operating rooms, pass instruments, and maintain the sterile field. Both associate and certificate programs exist; the CST credential is widely sought by employers. See surgical technologist programs.
12. Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians
Lab technicians run tests on blood, tissue, and other samples. The technician level is typically entered with an associate degree; technologist roles usually require a bachelor’s. See medical laboratory technician programs.
13. Paralegals and legal assistants
Paralegals draft documents, organize case files, and research for attorneys. An associate degree in paralegal studies is common, and about 39,300 openings per year make this one of the larger pools on the list. See paralegal programs and the paralegal career guide.
14. Computer user support specialists
Help-desk and desktop support staff troubleshoot hardware, software, and network problems for users. Entry ranges from certificates to associate degrees; projected employment is down 3.7 percent, but about 40,800 openings per year are still expected from turnover. See IT support programs.
15. Veterinary technologists and technicians
Vet techs run lab tests, assist in surgery, and handle nursing care for animals. An associate degree from a recognized program and a credentialing exam are the standard path. See vet tech programs and the veterinary technician career guide.
Pay and Job Outlook
The ranked table above carries the full figures. Six of the seven highest-paying entries are healthcare imaging or therapy roles, and each of those pairs an associate degree with a license or national certification. The non-healthcare entries (engineering technicians, drafters, paralegals, IT support) sit in the middle and lower half but generally have larger annual openings. Vet tech pay is well below the rest of the list despite solid growth.
| Occupation | BLS median (May 2025) | Projected growth 2024-34 | Openings per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical therapist assistants | $68,380 | 22.0 percent | about 19,800 |
| Occupational therapy assistants | $72,300 | 19.2 percent | about 7,200 |
| Diagnostic medical sonographers | $96,590 | 13.0 percent | about 5,800 |
| Respiratory therapists | $82,280 | 12.1 percent | about 8,800 |
Pay varies by employer, location, experience, and credentials; individual outcomes may vary.
How We Ranked This
We selected occupations that BLS classifies as typically entered with an associate degree and that College-Reporter covers with a program hub or career guide, plus two technical roles (engineering technicians and drafters) that commonly appear in associate-degree searches. Each was matched to its Standard Occupational Classification code and sorted by the May 2025 median annual wage from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. Growth and openings are from BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34 and are shown for context, not weighted into the order.
Related Guides
- Highest-paying jobs without a bachelor’s degree
- Highest-paying healthcare jobs without a bachelor’s degree
- Radiation therapy vs radiology technician
- Phlebotomy vs medical lab technician
- All program rankings
FAQs
Which 2-year degree pays the most?
On this list, radiation therapy had the highest BLS median annual wage in May 2025 at $105,310, followed by dental hygiene at $98,100 and diagnostic medical sonography at $96,590.
Do all of these jobs require exactly two years of school?
No. Associate programs commonly take about two years full time, but prerequisites, part-time study, and clinical scheduling can stretch that, and program length varies by program and state. Some roles, such as surgical technologist and IT support, also have certificate routes that are shorter.
Which of these careers is growing the most?
Physical therapist assistants (22.0 percent) and occupational therapy assistants (19.2 percent) have the highest projected growth for 2024-34. Computer user support specialists are projected to decline 3.7 percent, though openings from turnover remain large.
Is an associate degree enough for the healthcare roles?
For the roles listed, an associate degree is the typical entry education, but each also requires certification, licensure, or both, and rules vary by state. Some employers prefer a bachelor’s for respiratory therapy and lab roles.
Are the medians shown what graduates start at?
No. The median is the midpoint for all workers in the occupation, including those with many years of experience. New graduates commonly start below it, and individual outcomes may vary.
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