Jobs that typically need a associate's degree

48 occupations sit at this level, with a typical median wage of $66,150. This is the education the Bureau of Labor Statistics says most workers need to enter the job, not a hard requirement, and pay varies widely inside the level.

48 occupations

Most jobs first
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
25-2011

Preschool Teachers

Typically needs: Associate's degree

Median pay
$38k
Grads / yr
60k
Growth
+4.1%
View career
Legal Occupations
23-2011

Paralegals and Legal Assistants

Typically needs: Associate's degree

Median pay
$63k
Grads / yr
14k
Growth
+0.2%
View career
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
29-2034

Radiologic Technologists and Technicians

Typically needs: Associate's degree

Median pay
$80k
Grads / yr
17k
Growth
+4.3%
View career
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
29-1292

Dental Hygienists

Typically needs: Associate's degree

Median pay
$98k
Grads / yr
8.9k
Growth
+7.0%
View career
Computer and Mathematical Occupations
15-1231

Computer Network Support Specialists

Typically needs: Associate's degree

Median pay
$76k
Grads / yr
182k
Growth
+1.8%
View career
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
29-1126

Respiratory Therapists

Typically needs: Associate's degree

Median pay
$82k
Grads / yr
6.8k
Growth
+12.1%
View career
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
29-2056

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians

Typically needs: Associate's degree

Median pay
$47k
Grads / yr
8.9k
Growth
+9.1%
View career
Healthcare Support Occupations
31-2021

Physical Therapist Assistants

Typically needs: Associate's degree

Median pay
$68k
Grads / yr
5.5k
Growth
+22.0%
View career
Architecture and Engineering Occupations
17-3011

Architectural and Civil Drafters

Typically needs: Associate's degree

Median pay
$66k
Grads / yr
21k
Growth
+4.1%
View career
Architecture and Engineering Occupations
17-3023

Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Typically needs: Associate's degree

Median pay
$78k
Grads / yr
17k
Growth
+0.6%
View career
Office and Administrative Support Occupations
43-4161

Human Resources Assistants

Typically needs: Associate's degree

Median pay
$51k
Grads / yr
28k
Growth
-7.1%
View career
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
29-2032

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

Typically needs: Associate's degree

Median pay
$97k
Grads / yr
8.0k
Growth
+13.0%
View career
Architecture and Engineering Occupations
17-3026

Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Typically needs: Associate's degree

Median pay
$66k
Grads / yr
20k
Growth
+1.7%
View career
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
19-4099

Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other

Typically needs: Associate's degree

Median pay
$62k
Grads / yr
63k
Growth
+3.5%
View career
Architecture and Engineering Occupations
17-3022

Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Typically needs: Associate's degree

Median pay
$65k
Grads / yr
14k
Growth
+2.1%
View career
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations
49-9062

Medical Equipment Repairers

Typically needs: Associate's degree

Median pay
$62k
Grads / yr
1.3k
Growth
+12.9%
View career
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
29-2031

Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians

Typically needs: Associate's degree

Median pay
$74k
Grads / yr
3.0k
Growth
+3.0%
View career
Architecture and Engineering Occupations
17-3029

Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Typically needs: Associate's degree

Median pay
$78k
Grads / yr
21k
Growth
+1.5%
View career
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
19-4031

Chemical Technicians

Typically needs: Associate's degree

Median pay
$60k
Grads / yr
21k
Growth
+3.7%
View career
Healthcare Support Occupations
31-2011

Occupational Therapy Assistants

Typically needs: Associate's degree

Median pay
$72k
Grads / yr
3.2k
Growth
+19.2%
View career
Legal Occupations
23-2099

Legal Support Workers, All Other

Typically needs: Associate's degree

Median pay
$72k
Grads / yr
14k
Growth
-1.2%
View career
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
29-2035

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists

Typically needs: Associate's degree

Median pay
$95k
Grads / yr
1.3k
Growth
+7.1%
View career
Architecture and Engineering Occupations
17-3013

Mechanical Drafters

Typically needs: Associate's degree

Median pay
$72k
Grads / yr
14k
Growth
-6.5%
View career
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
29-9021

Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars

Typically needs: Associate's degree

Median pay
$68k
Grads / yr
29k
Growth
+14.7%
View career
Architecture and Engineering Occupations
17-3027

Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Typically needs: Associate's degree

Median pay
$75k
Grads / yr
5.3k
Growth
0.0%
View career
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
19-4042

Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health

Typically needs: Associate's degree

Median pay
$55k
Grads / yr
21k
Growth
+4.0%
View career
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
29-2051

Dietetic Technicians

Typically needs: Associate's degree

Median pay
$38k
Grads / yr
11k
Growth
+2.5%
View career
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
19-4071

Forest and Conservation Technicians

Typically needs: Associate's degree

Median pay
$55k
Grads / yr
16k
Growth
-3.2%
View career
Personal Care and Service Occupations
39-4031

Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers

Typically needs: Associate's degree

Median pay
$55k
Grads / yr
2.6k
Growth
+3.1%
View career
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
53-2021

Air Traffic Controllers

Typically needs: Associate's degree

Median pay
$148k
Grads / yr
232
Growth
+1.2%
View career
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations
27-4012

Broadcast Technicians

Typically needs: Associate's degree

Median pay
$60k
Grads / yr
3.4k
Growth
-2.8%
View career
Architecture and Engineering Occupations
17-3012

Electrical and Electronics Drafters

Typically needs: Associate's degree

Median pay
$77k
Grads / yr
18k
Growth
-5.6%
View career
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
29-2033

Nuclear Medicine Technologists

Typically needs: Associate's degree

Median pay
$101k
Grads / yr
707
Growth
+3.0%
View career
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
29-1124

Radiation Therapists

Typically needs: Associate's degree

Median pay
$105k
Grads / yr
4.3k
Growth
+1.9%
View career
Architecture and Engineering Occupations
17-3028

Calibration Technologists and Technicians

Typically needs: Associate's degree

Median pay
$68k
Grads / yr
12k
Growth
+4.7%
View career
Architecture and Engineering Occupations
17-3024

Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians

Typically needs: Associate's degree

Median pay
$74k
Grads / yr
27k
Growth
+1.1%
View career
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
19-4012

Agricultural Technicians

Typically needs: Associate's degree

Median pay
$50k
Grads / yr
104k
Growth
+4.3%
View career
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
19-4013

Food Science Technicians

Typically needs: Associate's degree

Median pay
$52k
Grads / yr
123k
Growth
+4.8%
View career
Architecture and Engineering Occupations
17-3019

Drafters, All Other

Typically needs: Associate's degree

Median pay
$64k
Grads / yr
8.7k
Growth
-6.9%
View career
Management Occupations
11-9171

Funeral Home Managers

Typically needs: Associate's degree

Median pay
$79k
Grads / yr
2.6k
Growth
+4.1%
View career
Architecture and Engineering Occupations
17-3025

Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Typically needs: Associate's degree

Median pay
$60k
Grads / yr
1.3k
Growth
+1.2%
View career
Architecture and Engineering Occupations
17-3021

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians

Typically needs: Associate's degree

Median pay
$83k
Grads / yr
13k
Growth
+8.1%
View career
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations
49-2021

Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers

Typically needs: Associate's degree

Median pay
$64k
Grads / yr
319
Growth
+8.6%
View career
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
19-4043

Geological Technicians

Typically needs: Associate's degree

Median pay
$53k
Grads / yr
8.6k
Growth
+1.5%
View career
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
19-4051

Nuclear Technicians

Typically needs: Associate's degree

Median pay
$110k
Grads / yr
526
Growth
-7.7%
View career
Personal Care and Service Occupations
39-4011

Embalmers

Typically needs: Associate's degree

Median pay
$59k
Grads / yr
2.4k
Growth
+1.3%
View career
Office and Administrative Support Occupations
43-9031

Desktop Publishers

Typically needs: Associate's degree

Median pay
$55k
Grads / yr
1.3k
Growth
-12.4%
View career
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
19-4044

Hydrologic Technicians

Typically needs: Associate's degree

Median pay
$65k
Grads / yr
2.8k
Growth
-2.1%
View career

Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · IPEDS Fall 2025–26 provisional · College Scorecard (June 2026 release). Education levels are the BLS Employment Projections typical entry-level education assignment. All sources & release dates →

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