Highest paying jobs that require a 2 year degree in Atlanta

Written by:
July 15, 2022
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Highest paying jobs that require a 2 year degree in Atlanta

Although it all depends on what you make of it, choosing to further your education may lead to higher paying job opportunities. An associate's degree takes just two years and offers more affordable tuition rates than a four-year school. As of April 2022, the average yearly salary for an individual with an associate's degree comes out to $45,989.

Students have a plethora of specialties to choose from when obtaining a 2-year degree, from industry-specific roles in health care or IT or a more generalized education path. Salaries differ between areas of study, job type, experience, and, of course, location. A Georgetown University study that looked at job growth and education requirements through 2020 stated that 30% of job openings required "at least some college or an associate's degree." Students can choose to head right into the workforce after earning an associate's, or continue their education toward earning a bachelor's degree.

The unemployment rate for associate's degree holders is only 2%, according to research from the Education Data Initiative. Having an associate's degree under your belt is proven to increase one's chance of holding a professional or management position in any number of industries, among them education and health, wholesale retail and trade, and professional and business services.

Stacker compiled a list of the highest and lowest paying jobs that require a 2-year degree in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA using data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Jobs are ranked by 2021 annual mean wage.

#36. Dietetic technicians

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $33,490
- #54 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 220

National
- Annual mean salary: $32,920
- Employment: 26,430
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($55,550)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($52,700)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($48,370)

#35. Preschool teachers, except special education

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $38,970
- #95 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,000

National
- Annual mean salary: $36,550
- Employment: 370,940
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($49,990)
--- Ocean City, NJ ($49,720)
--- Vineland-Bridgeton, NJ ($49,560)

#34. Veterinary technologists and technicians

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $39,300
- #97 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,820

National
- Annual mean salary: $37,860
- Employment: 109,490
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($57,990)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($52,220)
--- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($51,340)

#33. Human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $40,600
- #239 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,470

National
- Annual mean salary: $44,170
- Employment: 108,470
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($60,080)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($55,410)
--- Napa, CA ($54,120)

#32. Broadcast technicians

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $48,370
- #36 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 850

National
- Annual mean salary: $49,250
- Employment: 25,960
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($75,430)
--- Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY ($70,990)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($69,950)

#31. Environmental engineering technologists and technicians

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $51,730
- #60 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 230

National
- Annual mean salary: $56,570
- Employment: 17,070
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($82,240)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($81,340)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($74,280)

#30. Desktop publishers

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $51,920
- #15 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 320

National
- Annual mean salary: $50,600
- Employment: 7,090
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($70,880)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($68,860)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($66,400)

#29. Environmental science and protection technicians, including health

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $52,370
- #54 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 830

National
- Annual mean salary: $50,960
- Employment: 31,860
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($79,780)
--- Huntsville, AL ($78,320)
--- Birmingham-Hoover, AL ($76,970)

#28. Morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $52,430
- #101 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 280

National
- Annual mean salary: $59,000
- Employment: 24,560
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Southwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area ($82,420)
--- Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI ($79,240)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($73,940)

#27. Chemical technicians

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $53,160
- #92 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 550

National
- Annual mean salary: $53,700
- Employment: 63,490
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Billings, MT ($86,340)
--- Alaska nonmetropolitan area ($79,390)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($78,000)

#26. Civil engineering technologists and technicians

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $53,360
- #182 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 810

National
- Annual mean salary: $56,590
- Employment: 67,270
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($92,190)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($83,250)
--- Baton Rouge, LA ($81,340)

#25. Paralegals and legal assistants

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $55,490
- #96 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 8,450

National
- Annual mean salary: $56,610
- Employment: 332,720
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($90,640)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($76,960)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($75,640)

#24. Radio, cellular, and tower equipment installers and repairers

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $55,510
- #43 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 310

National
- Annual mean salary: $60,790
- Employment: 13,210
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI ($95,360)
--- Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI ($82,470)
--- Trenton, NJ ($80,110)

#23. Medical equipment repairers

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $56,910
- #71 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 930

National
- Annual mean salary: $55,090
- Employment: 48,510
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($84,820)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($84,030)
--- Reno, NV ($83,450)

#22. Physical therapist assistants

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $60,170
- #160 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,230

National
- Annual mean salary: $59,440
- Employment: 92,740
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($85,960)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($78,740)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($76,390)

#21. Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $61,350
- #29 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90

National
- Annual mean salary: $62,800
- Employment: 13,160
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($99,720)
--- West Texas Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area ($99,380)
--- Midland, TX ($98,040)

#20. Cardiovascular technologists and technicians

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $62,360
- #77 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 960

National
- Annual mean salary: $60,940
- Employment: 55,980
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA ($99,130)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($94,400)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($92,140)

#19. Mechanical drafters

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $63,230
- #68 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 670

National
- Annual mean salary: $61,490
- Employment: 51,620
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($104,540)
--- Corpus Christi, TX ($90,720)
--- New Orleans-Metairie, LA ($82,590)

#18. Radiologic technologists and technicians

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $63,700
- #132 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,800

National
- Annual mean salary: $64,840
- Employment: 206,720
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($127,890)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($118,480)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($118,100)

#17. Architectural and civil drafters

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $63,750
- #36 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,810

National
- Annual mean salary: $59,120
- Employment: 99,180
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC ($76,060)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($75,700)
--- Anchorage, AK ($75,650)

#16. Electrical and electronics drafters

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $64,110
- #50 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 370

National
- Annual mean salary: $65,720
- Employment: 23,020
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($98,380)
--- Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX ($86,920)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($83,760)

#15. Respiratory therapists

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $64,440
- #115 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,990

National
- Annual mean salary: $65,640
- Employment: 131,890
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($113,450)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($109,330)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($101,690)

#14. Industrial engineering technologists and technicians

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $65,540
- #42 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 490

National
- Annual mean salary: $59,920
- Employment: 62,980
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, MS ($94,360)
--- Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX ($90,460)
--- Baton Rouge, LA ($86,020)

#13. Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $66,980
- #35 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 240

National
- Annual mean salary: $60,880
- Employment: 39,880
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Baton Rouge, LA ($112,580)
--- North Texas Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area ($91,580)
--- New Orleans-Metairie, LA ($91,550)

#12. Forest and conservation technicians

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $68,370
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40

National
- Annual mean salary: $42,780
- Employment: 30,150
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($68,370)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($66,570)
--- Corvallis, OR ($62,260)

#11. Occupational therapy assistants

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $70,000
- #31 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 280

National
- Annual mean salary: $63,420
- Employment: 42,750
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($85,570)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($77,720)
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($77,650)

#10. Computer network support specialists

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $71,640
- #69 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,880

National
- Annual mean salary: $71,040
- Employment: 184,220
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($94,120)
--- Barnstable Town, MA ($93,670)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($92,190)

#9. Diagnostic medical sonographers

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $74,210
- #158 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,360

National
- Annual mean salary: $77,790
- Employment: 73,920
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($138,110)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($137,140)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($131,080)

#8. Avionics technicians

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $75,550
- #11 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 440

National
- Annual mean salary: $69,180
- Employment: 21,390
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($92,470)
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($87,670)
--- California-Lexington Park, MD ($83,930)

#7. Magnetic resonance imaging technologists

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $75,680
- #61 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 900

National
- Annual mean salary: $75,960
- Employment: 39,270
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($133,590)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($127,930)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($120,550)

#6. Electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $77,490
- #38 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,190

National
- Annual mean salary: $68,310
- Employment: 115,270
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Northeast Virginia nonmetropolitan area ($99,890)
--- Fort Collins, CO ($91,980)
--- Bakersfield, CA ($90,780)

#5. Dental hygienists

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $79,660
- #122 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,410

National
- Annual mean salary: $78,050
- Employment: 194,830
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($125,750)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($122,660)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($119,320)

#4. Nuclear medicine technologists

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $80,800
- #37 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 330

National
- Annual mean salary: $82,080
- Employment: 17,510
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($149,860)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($148,240)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($135,080)

#3. Funeral home managers

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $84,070
- #23 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 160

National
- Annual mean salary: $91,530
- Employment: 10,010
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($116,760)
--- Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ ($115,400)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($112,820)

#2. Radiation therapists

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $86,090
- #43 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 230

National
- Annual mean salary: $94,300
- Employment: 17,390
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($169,080)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($159,660)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($131,960)

#1. Air traffic controllers

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $153,770
- #3 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 770

National
- Annual mean salary: $127,440
- Employment: 22,190
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI ($158,210)
--- Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX ($154,180)
--- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($153,770)

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