by It’s a common myth that you “need” a bachelor’s or higher to enter the workforce. Not true! Many jobs, especially in healthcare, only require an associate’s and the starting pay is high. While we always encourage pursuing your education further, an associate’s degree is more than enough for many professions.
Take a look: CNBC recently combed through the charts and graphs from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to find the top-earning jobs needing only an associate’s degree. The data they found was surprising! Out of the 11 jobs they looked at, TJC offers degrees in eight of them.
Diagnostic medical sonographers
Median annual wage: $71,410
Projected job growth through 2026: 23 percent
Produce ultrasonic recordings of internal organs for use by physicians.
www.tjc.edu/DMS
Web developers
Median annual wage: $67,990
Projected job growth through 2026: 15 percent
Design, create, and modify Web sites. Analyze user needs to implement Web site content, graphics, performance, and capacity.
www.tjc.edu/viscomm
Respiratory therapists
Median annual wage: $59,710
Projected job growth through 2026: 23 percent
Assess, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders. Assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care modalities, including the supervision of respiratory therapy technicians.
www.tjc.edu/respiratorycare
Magnetic resonance imaging technologists
Median annual wage: $58,440
Projected job growth through 2026: 12 percent
Operate Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanners. Monitor patient safety and comfort, and view images of area being scanned to ensure quality of pictures.
www.tjc.edu/radtech
Radiologic technologists
Median annual wage: $69,930
Projected job growth through 2026: 14 percent
Take x rays and CAT scans or administer nonradioactive materials into patient’s blood stream for diagnostic purposes. Includes technologists who specialize in other scanning modalities.
www.tjc.edu/radtech
Dental hygienists
Median annual wage: $74,070
Projected job growth through 2026: 20 percent
Clean teeth and examine oral areas, head, and neck for signs of oral disease. May educate patients on oral hygiene, take and develop x rays, or apply fluoride or sealants.
www.tjc.edu/dentalhygiene
Occupational therapy assistants
Median annual wage: $59,310
Projected job growth through 2026: 29 percent
Assess, plan, organize, and participate in rehabilitative programs that help build or restore vocational, homemaking, and daily living skills, as well as general independence, to persons with disabilities or developmental delays.
www.tjc.edu/ota
Physical therapist assistants
Median annual wage: $57,430
Projected job growth through 2026: 31 percent
Assist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures.
www.tjc.edu/pta
