Highest-paying jobs for people with 2-year degrees in Hattiesburg

For many, a two-year associate degree can be the ticket to higher earning power at an affordable price. Though some types of associate degrees can be a stepping stone to a bachelor's, others are geared toward middle-skilled careers that require specialized knowledge, such as criminal justice, cybersecurity, hospitality management, and more.

Across all fields of study, someone with a two-year degree can earn a median annual salary of $49,500 as of May 2024, around 18% more than that of a high school graduate. By comparison, bachelor's degree holders can earn a median salary of $66,600 but have to invest much more time—and money—into their degree.

According to March 2025 data from the Education Data Initiative, the total cost for a degree from a two-year in-district public college averages about $35,000, compared to nearly $109,000 for a bachelor's degree. And lower costs mean fewer student loans. Just 2 in 5 associate degree recipients took on student loan debt in the 2019-2020 school year (the most recent year with available data), compared to 64% of bachelor's degree students. The two-year degree holders who did use loans borrowed less money, incurring lower interest payments.

Despite the benefits of earning a two-year degree, the number of these credentials produced across the United States is lagging. A September 2024 study from Georgetown University forecasts a nationwide shortage of nearly 361,000 credentials to fill middle-skilled jobs through 2032. However, this could be good news for anyone holding one of these versatile degrees, since the number of available jobs may soon outnumber the employees qualified to work them.

In the meantime, Stacker used Bureau of Labor Statistics data to find the highest-paying jobs in Hattiesburg for people with a two-year associate degree. The analysis also included jobs that listed a high school diploma, some college but no degree, a postsecondary nondegree award, or had no formal education requirement. Jobs are ranked by their median annual pay as of May 2024, so any jobs without annual compensation figures available were excluded from this analysis.

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1 / 50

#50. Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers

- Median annual wage: $45,520
- Median hourly wage: $21.89
- Total employment: 130 people (2.15 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

FabrikaSimf // Shutterstock

2 / 50

#49. Carpenters

- Median annual wage: $45,650
- Median hourly wage: $21.95
- Total employment: 150 people (2.37 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

3 / 50

#48. Computer numerically controlled tool operators

- Median annual wage: $46,090
- Median hourly wage: $22.16
- Total employment: 30 people (0.5 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

kittirat roekburi // Shutterstock

4 / 50

#47. Civil engineering technologists and technicians

- Median annual wage: $46,100
- Median hourly wage: $22.17
- Total employment: 40 people (0.6 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

5 / 50

#46. Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses

- Median annual wage: $46,470
- Median hourly wage: $22.34
- Total employment: 560 people (8.95 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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Joey Chung // Shutterstock

6 / 50

#45. Sales representatives of services, except advertising, insurance, financial services, and travel

- Median annual wage: $46,810
- Median hourly wage: $22.51
- Total employment: 170 people (2.79 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Kzenon // Shutterstock

7 / 50

#44. Self-enrichment teachers

- Median annual wage: $47,110
- Median hourly wage: $22.65
- Total employment: 30 people (0.5 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

DC Studio // Shutterstock

8 / 50

#43. Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance

- Median annual wage: $47,120
- Median hourly wage: $22.65
- Total employment: 90 people (1.4 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Leszek Glasner // Shutterstock

9 / 50

#42. Property, real estate, and community association managers

- Median annual wage: $47,210
- Median hourly wage: $22.70
- Total employment: 140 people (2.25 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Etaphop photo // Shutterstock

10 / 50

#41. Electricians

- Median annual wage: $47,330
- Median hourly wage: $22.76
- Total employment: 220 people (3.6 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Vitpho // Shutterstock

11 / 50

#40. Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers

- Median annual wage: $47,800
- Median hourly wage: $22.98
- Total employment: 920 people (14.74 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Paolo Bona // Shutterstock

12 / 50

#39. Food service managers

- Median annual wage: $47,850
- Median hourly wage: $23.00
- Total employment: 170 people (2.71 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Zahovaev K // Shutterstock

13 / 50

#38. Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers

- Median annual wage: $47,950
- Median hourly wage: $23.05
- Total employment: 170 people (2.65 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

4 PM production // Shutterstock

14 / 50

#37. Automotive body and related repairers

- Median annual wage: $48,900
- Median hourly wage: $23.51
- Total employment: 90 people (1.49 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Stock Rocket // Shutterstock

15 / 50

#36. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products

- Median annual wage: $49,200
- Median hourly wage: $23.65
- Total employment: 450 people (7.27 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock

16 / 50

#35. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters

- Median annual wage: $49,600
- Median hourly wage: $23.85
- Total employment: 80 people (1.3 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Shift Drive // Shutterstock

17 / 50

#34. Computer user support specialists

- Median annual wage: $49,800
- Median hourly wage: $23.94
- Total employment: 150 people (2.41 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Prath // Shutterstock

18 / 50

#33. Detectives and criminal investigators

- Median annual wage: $49,990
- Median hourly wage: $24.03
- Total employment: 40 people (0.59 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Arjuna Kodisinghe // Shutterstock

19 / 50

#32. Computer network support specialists

- Median annual wage: $50,940
- Median hourly wage: $24.49
- Total employment: 80 people (1.33 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

lenetstan // Shutterstock

20 / 50

#31. Radiologic technologists and technicians

- Median annual wage: $51,140
- Median hourly wage: $24.59
- Total employment: 190 people (2.97 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

21 / 50

#30. Paramedics

- Median annual wage: $51,770
- Median hourly wage: $24.89
- Total employment: 90 people (1.47 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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22 / 50

#29. First-line supervisors of transportation and material moving workers, except aircraft cargo handling supervisors

- Median annual wage: $51,800
- Median hourly wage: $24.91
- Total employment: 240 people (3.84 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

GaudiLab // Shutterstock

23 / 50

#28. First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers

- Median annual wage: $52,050
- Median hourly wage: $25.02
- Total employment: 660 people (10.53 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Erin Deleon // Shutterstock

24 / 50

#27. Postal service mail carriers

- Median annual wage: $52,210
- Median hourly wage: $25.10
- Total employment: 200 people (3.13 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

welcomia // Shutterstock

25 / 50

#26. Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines

- Median annual wage: $52,750
- Median hourly wage: $25.36
- Total employment: 110 people (1.74 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Gerain0812 // Shutterstock

26 / 50

#25. Surgical technologists

- Median annual wage: $53,810
- Median hourly wage: $25.87
- Total employment: 190 people (3.09 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Kot500 // Shutterstock

27 / 50

#24. Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists

- Median annual wage: $55,050
- Median hourly wage: $26.47
- Total employment: 150 people (2.36 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

G-Stock Studio // Shutterstock

28 / 50

#23. Production, planning, and expediting clerks

- Median annual wage: $55,560
- Median hourly wage: $26.71
- Total employment: 130 people (2.01 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

SatawatK // Shutterstock

29 / 50

#22. Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers

- Median annual wage: $56,020
- Median hourly wage: $26.93
- Total employment: 80 people (1.27 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Kmpzzz // Shutterstock

30 / 50

#21. Construction and building inspectors

- Median annual wage: $56,080
- Median hourly wage: $26.96
- Total employment: 40 people (0.61 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

goodluz // Shutterstock

31 / 50

#20. Real estate sales agents

- Median annual wage: $56,790
- Median hourly wage: $27.30
- Total employment: 40 people (0.62 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

g-stockstudio // Shutterstock

32 / 50

#19. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers

- Median annual wage: $59,290
- Median hourly wage: $28.50
- Total employment: 80 people (1.28 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

SritanaN // Shutterstock

33 / 50

#18. Industrial machinery mechanics

- Median annual wage: $59,620
- Median hourly wage: $28.66
- Total employment: 130 people (2.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Tyler Olson // Shutterstock

34 / 50

#17. Physical therapist assistants

- Median annual wage: $59,820
- Median hourly wage: $28.76
- Total employment: 60 people (0.98 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Ground Picture // Shutterstock

35 / 50

#16. First-line supervisors of police and detectives

- Median annual wage: $61,260
- Median hourly wage: $29.45
- Total employment: 100 people (1.61 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Unai Huizi Photography // Shutterstock

36 / 50

#15. Dental hygienists

- Median annual wage: $62,520
- Median hourly wage: $30.06
- Total employment: 140 people (2.18 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

sculpies // Shutterstock

37 / 50

#14. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers

- Median annual wage: $63,250
- Median hourly wage: $30.41
- Total employment: 380 people (6.15 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Oleg Golovnev // Shutterstock

38 / 50

#13. First-line supervisors of production and operating workers

- Median annual wage: $63,280
- Median hourly wage: $30.42
- Total employment: 380 people (6.17 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Dmitry Kalinovsky // Shutterstock

39 / 50

#12. Chemical equipment operators and tenders

- Median annual wage: $63,640
- Median hourly wage: $30.60
- Total employment: 50 people (0.79 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

4 PM production // Shutterstock

40 / 50

#11. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers

- Median annual wage: $64,990
- Median hourly wage: $31.25
- Total employment: 400 people (6.37 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Syda Productions // Shutterstock

41 / 50

#10. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants

- Median annual wage: $66,150
- Median hourly wage: $31.80
- Total employment: 50 people (0.81 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

rlat // Shutterstock

42 / 50

#9. Postal service clerks

- Median annual wage: $66,660
- Median hourly wage: $32.05
- Total employment: 30 people (0.55 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

goodluz // Shutterstock

43 / 50

#8. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers

- Median annual wage: $66,880
- Median hourly wage: $32.16
- Total employment: 100 people (1.53 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

anyaivanova // Shutterstock

44 / 50

#7. Electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians

- Median annual wage: $67,480
- Median hourly wage: $32.44
- Total employment: 40 people (0.67 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Africa Studio // Shutterstock

45 / 50

#6. Installation, maintenance, and repair workers, all other

- Median annual wage: $69,040
- Median hourly wage: $33.19
- Total employment: 180 people (2.89 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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SofikoS // Shutterstock

46 / 50

#5. Diagnostic medical sonographers

- Median annual wage: $69,580
- Median hourly wage: $33.45
- Total employment: 50 people (0.78 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

47 / 50

#4. Lodging managers

- Median annual wage: $72,430
- Median hourly wage: $34.82
- Total employment: 40 people (0.56 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Roman Zaiets // Shutterstock

48 / 50

#3. Electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment

- Median annual wage: $74,400
- Median hourly wage: $35.77
- Total employment: 40 people (0.65 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)