Careers with a associate degree

Occupations where BLS lists an associate degree as the typical education needed for entry.

Jobs, 2025
3,554,100
Verified data
Share of all jobs
2.1%
Projected change
+4.9%
2025 to 2035 Official projection
Median wage
$64,990
2025 Verified data

48 occupations, ranked by median wage

OccupationMedian wageChange 2025 to 2035Openings per yearOn-the-job training
Air traffic controllers$148,080+1.7%2,100Long-term on-the-job training
Nuclear technicians$110,240+1.1%900Moderate-term on-the-job training
Radiation therapists$105,310+2.8%700None
Nuclear medicine technologists$101,370+4.4%800None
Dental hygienists$98,100+8.0%15,000None
Diagnostic medical sonographers$96,590+13.9%6,000None
Magnetic resonance imaging technologists$95,480+7.7%2,300None
Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians$82,890+11.9%1,100None
Respiratory therapists$82,280+8.5%8,600None
Radiologic technologists and technicians$80,110+5.0%13,000None
Funeral home managers$78,790+4.1%2,600None
Engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all other$78,350+2.8%5,400None
Electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians$78,190+2.4%8,100None
Electrical and electronics drafters$76,870-3.4%1,400None
Computer network support specialists$76,220+1.2%9,000Moderate-term on-the-job training
Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians$74,510+1.3%3,100None
Cardiovascular technologists and technicians$74,310+3.7%3,400None
Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians$73,900+2.6%1,400None
Occupational therapy assistants$72,300+21.5%8,100None
Legal support workers, all other$72,110-0.3%4,700None
Mechanical drafters$71,550-6.0%2,900None
Physical therapist assistants$68,380+23.0%18,500None
Health information technologists and medical registrars$68,020+15.9%3,000None
Calibration technologists and technicians$67,820+4.8%1,500None
Architectural and civil drafters$66,150+5.2%9,100None
Industrial engineering technologists and technicians$66,120+3.1%6,600None
Civil engineering technologists and technicians$64,950+3.2%6,100None
Hydrologic technicians$64,790-1.3%400Moderate-term on-the-job training
Drafters, all other$63,520-7.3%1,000None
Radio, cellular, and tower equipment installers and repairers$63,520+1.2%1,000Moderate-term on-the-job training
Paralegals and legal assistants$62,890-0.3%40,800None
Life, physical, and social science technicians, all other$62,280+4.4%11,200None
Medical equipment repairers$61,660+12.6%8,200Moderate-term on-the-job training
Chemical technicians$60,390+4.9%7,600Moderate-term on-the-job training
Environmental engineering technologists and technicians$59,920+3.1%1,100None
Broadcast technicians$59,570-3.1%1,600Short-term on-the-job training
Embalmers$58,780+0.7%700Long-term on-the-job training
Desktop publishers$55,290-14.5%300Short-term on-the-job training
Environmental science and protection technicians, including health$55,090+6.9%5,300None
Morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers$55,010+3.0%3,000Long-term on-the-job training
Forest and conservation technicians$54,560-2.1%3,800None
Geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians$53,350+3.6%1,000Moderate-term on-the-job training
Food science technicians$52,130+4.8%3,000Moderate-term on-the-job training
Human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping$50,610-6.2%7,900None
Agricultural technicians$49,630+5.4%2,800Moderate-term on-the-job training
Veterinary technologists and technicians$47,380+9.4%13,400None
Preschool teachers, except special education$38,140+4.5%66,700None
Dietetic technicians$37,640+2.7%4,200None
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, Table 1.2: Occupational projections, 2025-35, and worker characteristics, 2025. Base year 2025, projected year 2035. Published August 27, 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, National. May 2025 reference period. Published April 30, 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.