Highest Paying Healthcare Jobs with an Associate's Degree

Radiation Therapists

In 2020, the BLS reported that radiation therapists earned a median annual salary of $86,850, making the field one of the highest-paid healthcare professions that can be pursued with an associate's degree. In addition to an associate's degree in radiation therapy, radiation therapists need to earn a license or certification in their field. Radiation therapists operate special equipment that is designed to provide radiation to patients. It's common for radiation therapists to work with patients with cancer and use these treatments to treat tumors.

Dental Hygienists

Dental hygienists must complete up to three years of postsecondary study to earn an associate's degree in their field and be licensed. Their training pays off with the second-highest salary for healthcare professionals who have associate's degrees. The BLS reports the median annual income for these professionals is $74,820. Dental hygienists provide direct dental care to patients and are responsible for assessing them for potential dental health issues, producing X-rays, cleaning teeth and a number of other dental care tasks.

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

Diagnostic medical sonographers earned a median annual income of $75,920 in 2020, according to the BLS. While it can be possible to enter this field with a certificate, the typical educational requirement for these professionals is an associate's degree. Diagnostic medical sonographers use ultrasound transducers and ultrasound machines to produce images of people's organs. Physicians then use these images to detect disease within a patient's body.

Registered Nurses

Registered nurses can opt to prepare for their career by earning an associate's degree and a nursing license. They may be involved in educating patients about their health and providing medical care to patients with health issues. They provide medications and treatments to patients, assist with medical tests and update patient records. The 2020 median annual income for registered nurses is $75,330, according to the BLS, which is one of the highest salaries of all healthcare careers that require an associate's degree.

MRI Technologists

According to the BLS, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technologists earned $61,900 as of 2020. MRI technologists often begin their careers as radiologic technicians. Unlike radiologic technicians, MRI technologists are not typically required to have a license or certification. By combining magnetic fields with injected contrast dyes, these professionals use special types of medical equipment to produce images of a patient's internal organs and functions, which physicians then use for diagnoses.

Occupational Therapy Assistants

Occupational therapy assistants work directly with patients under the direction of occupational therapists and may be involved with teaching patients exercises that are designed to improve their motor skills and how to use equipment that can help them perform specific tasks. They must have an associate's degree in their field and also need to be licensed. According to the BLS, their median annual income in 2020 was $60,950, which makes this healthcare career one of the highest-paying options that require an associate's degree.

Respiratory Therapists

Respiratory therapists are healthcare professionals that treat patients with breathing issues, such as asthma. They are involved with conducting tests that are used to diagnose patients and may also administer treatments to patients. The standard educational requirement for this profession is an associate's degree in respiratory therapy and a license. As of 2020, the BLS reported that the median annual income for these professionals was $62,810, which makes this one of the highest-paying healthcare careers that only requires an associate's degree.