A Shift in Employment Requirements
1. Major companies such as Google, IBM, Tesla, General Motors, Delta Airlines, and Apple have made a significant move by eliminating the necessity of a traditional four-year college degree as a job requirement. Instead, they are focusing on skills-based hiring, marking a significant shift in the employment landscape.
Benefits for Job Seekers
2. The recent report by Yahoo Finance highlights this shift as a positive development for individuals seeking employment or planning their career paths.
3. This shift paves the way for the possibility of securing high-paying positions at reputable companies without the burden of student debt, emphasizing the increasing value placed on skills and workplace attitudes by employers.
Emphasizing Skill Development
4. By continuously honing soft skills and acquiring technical expertise, individuals can potentially unlock lucrative career opportunities and achieve significant success without the conventional route of a four-year bachelor's degree.
This redefined approach emphasizes the potential for career growth and financial success based on the cultivation of relevant skills and a positive work ethic, offering an alternative path to pursuing high-paying careers.
What Is An Associate Degree?
An associate degree is a two-year undergraduate degree (sometimes it can last three years) that you can undertake before your bachelor's degree. You can study it on its own to gain a grasp of your subject at the foundational level or progress your studies after graduating, to a full baccalaureate.
In places such as the UK, an associate degree is better known as a Higher National Certificate, Higher National Diploma, or foundation degree.
3 Highest Paying Associate Degrees
Of course, not all associate degrees are created equal in terms of their financial value post-graduation. But there are three in particular with which you can make a substantially high income—even as much as $100,000 or more—without needing a bachelor's degree or postgraduate education.
Usually, in these cases, the only other requirement is that you continue your training and professional development through obtaining licenses, passing exams, and gaining additional, on-the-job certifications.
This is pretty much standard across all jobs, whether you have undertaken further studies to complete your bachelor's or not; but it becomes an even greater necessity when all you have is an associate degree.
(The salaries listed below are extracted from Salary.com)
1. Associate Degree In Nursing
An associate degree in nursing lays the foundation for pursuing a career as a registered nurse. In the 90th percentile, registered nurses can earn as much as $129,400 a year. It's also worth noting that the state in which you practice can influence your income significantly. For example, the top 10% of nurses within California tend to earn the most compared to the total 10% of any other state making more than $177,000 a year.
Average salary range: Between $62,640 and $112,360
2. Associate Degree In Construction Management
The demand for construction managers within this construction industry is increasing by 5% year on year, which is faster than the average growth rate for jobs up to 2032, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics. With an associate degree in construction management, you can secure an onsite role and work your way up through on-the-job training and specialized certifications, thus significantly boosting your salary. The number of years you spend within the role is another decisive factor that affects your earnings.
Average salary range: Between $114,862 to $151,536
3. Associate Degree In Nuclear Technology
With an associate degree in nuclear technology, you can land a high-paying role as a nuclear technician. Nuclear technicians may not have the most popular in-demand roles, but they are nonetheless critical to safety and energy generation. In this role, you would be operating and maintaining equipment that is used by scientists, engineers, and nuclear researchers for experiments and for nuclear power plants. You would also warn others about hazardous conditions and harmful exposure to radiation.
Average salary range: Between $72,040 to $105,125
So, while it may be relatively unheard of to make more than $100,000 with just an associate degree, with these roles, it is highly feasible. If you're in the right location, and commit to building years of experience and gaining additional certifications or training, you can find yourself earning more and being relatively student debt-free.