According to the U.S. Census Bureau, over a 40-year period, high school graduates will earn a total of $1.2 million, while workers with associate degrees will earn $1.6 million. Is it any surprise two-year degrees are becoming an increasingly attractive option for many people?
Two-year degrees, of which an associate degree is the most common, provide training and education for a variety of fields in approximately half the time as a bachelor's degree. Plus, you can earn an associate degree from a local community college for a fraction of the cost of a four-year degree at a university.
Jobs in health care, retail and IT pay $40,000 and up without a bachelor's degree, so it's no wonder the two-year option is becoming more popular.
Also, for most areas of study, an associate degree puts you halfway toward a four-year degree should you decide to pursue one at a later time. Perhaps more important to students wondering about their educational future, workers with associate degrees on average earn more money than their counterparts with high school degrees.
Based on salary, industry employment and projected job growth, here are 10 of the best jobs for workers with two-year degrees:
1. Computer Specialists
Median annual wage: $71,510*
Current Employment: 136,000
Projected 2016 employment increase: 15 percent
2. Dental Hygienists
Median annual wage: $64,740
Current Employment: 167,000
Projected 2016 employment increase: 30 percent
3. Fashion Designers
Median annual wage: $62,810
Current Employment: 20,000
Projected 2016 employment increase: 5 percent
4. Registered Nurses
Median annual wage: $60,010
Current Employment: 2,505,000
Projected 2016 employment increase: 23 percent
5. Environmental Engineering Technicians
Median annual wage: $ 40,560
Current Employment: 21,000
Projected 2016 employment increase: 25 percent
6. Radiologic Technologists and technicians
Median annual wage: $50,260
Current Employment: 196,000
Projected 2016 employment increase: 15 percent
7. Industrial Engineering Technicians
Median annual wage: $47,490
Current Employment: 75,000
Projected 2016 employment increase: 10 percent
8. Paralegals and legal assistants
Median annual wage: $44,990
Current Employment: 238,000
Projected 2016 employment increase: 22 percent
9. Occupational Therapist Assistants
Median annual wage: $45,050
Current Employment: 25,000
Projected 2016 employment increase: 25 percent
10. Computer Support Specialists
Median annual wage: $42,400
Current Employment: 552,000
Projected 2016 employment increase: 13 percent
*Salary and employment data based on Bureau of Labor Statistics information.
Anthony Balderrama is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.
Copyright 2008 CareerBuilder.com
