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

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 Hickory 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. Industrial engineering technologists and technicians

- Median annual wage: $56,350
- Median hourly wage: $27.09
- Total employment: 80 people (0.49 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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2 / 50

#49. Security and fire alarm systems installers

- Median annual wage: $57,020
- Median hourly wage: $27.42
- Total employment: 100 people (0.63 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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3 / 50

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

- Median annual wage: $57,430
- Median hourly wage: $27.61
- Total employment: 140 people (0.88 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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4 / 50

#47. Computer numerically controlled tool programmers

- Median annual wage: $57,770
- Median hourly wage: $27.77
- Total employment: 60 people (0.37 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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5 / 50

#46. Chefs and head cooks

- Median annual wage: $57,880
- Median hourly wage: $27.83
- Total employment: 120 people (0.78 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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6 / 50

#45. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants

- Median annual wage: $58,180
- Median hourly wage: $27.97
- Total employment: 130 people (0.82 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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7 / 50

#44. Mechanical drafters

- Median annual wage: $58,390
- Median hourly wage: $28.07
- Total employment: 40 people (0.25 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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8 / 50

#43. Detectives and criminal investigators

- Median annual wage: $58,640
- Median hourly wage: $28.19
- Total employment: 110 people (0.7 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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9 / 50

#42. Surgical technologists

- Median annual wage: $58,940
- Median hourly wage: $28.34
- Total employment: 110 people (0.68 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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10 / 50

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

- Median annual wage: $59,010
- Median hourly wage: $28.37
- Total employment: 50 people (0.34 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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11 / 50

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

- Median annual wage: $59,280
- Median hourly wage: $28.50
- Total employment: 1,120 people (7.23 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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12 / 50

#39. Maintenance workers, machinery

- Median annual wage: $59,390
- Median hourly wage: $28.55
- Total employment: 450 people (2.88 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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13 / 50

#38. Upholsterers

- Median annual wage: $59,400
- Median hourly wage: $28.56
- Total employment: 2,140 people (13.83 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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14 / 50

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

- Median annual wage: $59,510
- Median hourly wage: $28.61
- Total employment: 780 people (5.05 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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15 / 50

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

- Median annual wage: $59,540
- Median hourly wage: $28.62
- Total employment: 1,790 people (11.56 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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16 / 50

#35. Industrial machinery mechanics

- Median annual wage: $59,930
- Median hourly wage: $28.81
- Total employment: 860 people (5.52 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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17 / 50

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

- Median annual wage: $59,970
- Median hourly wage: $28.83
- Total employment: 740 people (4.76 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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18 / 50

#33. Insurance sales agents

- Median annual wage: $60,080
- Median hourly wage: $28.89
- Total employment: 350 people (2.29 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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19 / 50

#32. Construction and building inspectors

- Median annual wage: $60,430
- Median hourly wage: $29.05
- Total employment: 40 people (0.28 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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20 / 50

#31. Morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers

- Median annual wage: $60,690
- Median hourly wage: $29.18
- Total employment: 50 people (0.32 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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21 / 50

#30. First-line supervisors of correctional officers

- Median annual wage: $60,950
- Median hourly wage: $29.30
- Total employment: 60 people (0.42 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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22 / 50

#29. Food service managers

- Median annual wage: $61,200
- Median hourly wage: $29.42
- Total employment: 230 people (1.46 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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23 / 50

#28. Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses

- Median annual wage: $61,310
- Median hourly wage: $29.48
- Total employment: 600 people (3.89 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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24 / 50

#27. Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines

- Median annual wage: $62,530
- Median hourly wage: $30.06
- Total employment: 110 people (0.68 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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25 / 50

#26. Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians

- Median annual wage: $62,710
- Median hourly wage: $30.15
- Total employment: 60 people (0.39 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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26 / 50

#25. Physical therapist assistants

- Median annual wage: $62,770
- Median hourly wage: $30.18
- Total employment: 120 people (0.77 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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27 / 50

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

- Median annual wage: $63,280
- Median hourly wage: $30.42
- Total employment: 1,790 people (11.54 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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28 / 50

#23. Radiologic technologists and technicians

- Median annual wage: $63,480
- Median hourly wage: $30.52
- Total employment: 330 people (2.1 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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29 / 50

#22. Computer network support specialists

- Median annual wage: $64,100
- Median hourly wage: $30.82
- Total employment: 40 people (0.26 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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30 / 50

#21. Tool and die makers

- Median annual wage: $64,280
- Median hourly wage: $30.91
- Total employment: 110 people (0.73 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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31 / 50

#20. Occupational therapy assistants

- Median annual wage: $65,170
- Median hourly wage: $31.33
- Total employment: 50 people (0.33 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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32 / 50

#19. Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay

- Median annual wage: $65,450
- Median hourly wage: $31.47
- Total employment: Not available

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33 / 50

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

- Median annual wage: $65,540
- Median hourly wage: $31.51
- Total employment: 600 people (3.84 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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34 / 50

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

- Median annual wage: $67,780
- Median hourly wage: $32.59
- Total employment: 660 people (4.24 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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35 / 50

#16. Postal service clerks

- Median annual wage: $68,120
- Median hourly wage: $32.75
- Total employment: 80 people (0.52 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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36 / 50

#15. Engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all other

- Median annual wage: $69,030
- Median hourly wage: $33.19
- Total employment: 70 people (0.42 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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37 / 50

#14. Architectural and civil drafters

- Median annual wage: $74,540
- Median hourly wage: $35.84
- Total employment: 50 people (0.33 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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38 / 50

#13. Cardiovascular technologists and technicians

- Median annual wage: $74,690
- Median hourly wage: $35.91
- Total employment: 40 people (0.23 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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39 / 50

#12. First-line supervisors of police and detectives

- Median annual wage: $75,240
- Median hourly wage: $36.17
- Total employment: 190 people (1.2 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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40 / 50

#11. Respiratory therapists

- Median annual wage: $75,310
- Median hourly wage: $36.21
- Total employment: 130 people (0.82 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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41 / 50

#10. Electrical power-line installers and repairers

- Median annual wage: $75,460
- Median hourly wage: $36.28
- Total employment: 100 people (0.67 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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42 / 50

#9. Electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians

- Median annual wage: $76,440
- Median hourly wage: $36.75
- Total employment: 80 people (0.53 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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43 / 50

#8. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators

- Median annual wage: $79,340
- Median hourly wage: $38.15
- Total employment: 70 people (0.42 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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44 / 50

#7. Diagnostic medical sonographers

- Median annual wage: $80,330
- Median hourly wage: $38.62
- Total employment: 60 people (0.36 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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45 / 50

#6. Magnetic resonance imaging technologists

- Median annual wage: $82,850
- Median hourly wage: $39.83
- Total employment: 30 people (0.21 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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46 / 50

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

- Median annual wage: $84,710
- Median hourly wage: $40.73
- Total employment: 250 people (1.59 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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47 / 50

#4. Dental hygienists

- Median annual wage: $90,000
- Median hourly wage: $43.27
- Total employment: 250 people (1.58 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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48 / 50

#3. Power plant operators

- Median annual wage: $96,900
- Median hourly wage: $46.59
- Total employment: 40 people (0.24 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

goodluz // Shutterstock

49 / 50

#2. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers

- Median annual wage: $97,240
- Median hourly wage: $46.75
- Total employment: 250 people (1.59 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)