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

·Stacker

insta_photos // Shutterstock
insta_photos // Shutterstock

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 Lancaster 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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#50. Lodging managers

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#50. Lodging managers

- Median annual wage: $61,490
- Median hourly wage: $29.56
- Total employment: 40 people (0.17 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#49. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants

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#49. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants

- Median annual wage: $61,570
- Median hourly wage: $29.60
- Total employment: 350 people (1.4 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#48. Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians

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#48. Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians

- Median annual wage: $61,640
- Median hourly wage: $29.63
- Total employment: 140 people (0.55 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#46. Calibration technologists and technicians (tie)

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#46. Calibration technologists and technicians (tie)

- Median annual wage: $61,680
- Median hourly wage: $29.66
- Total employment: Not available

#45. Brickmasons and blockmasons

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#45. Brickmasons and blockmasons

- Median annual wage: $61,860
- Median hourly wage: $29.74
- Total employment: 380 people (1.52 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#44. Cardiovascular technologists and technicians

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#44. Cardiovascular technologists and technicians

- Median annual wage: $61,870
- Median hourly wage: $29.75
- Total employment: 140 people (0.55 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

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

- Median annual wage: $61,900
- Median hourly wage: $29.76
- Total employment: 2,320 people (9.27 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#42. Postal service clerks

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#42. Postal service clerks

- Median annual wage: $61,910
- Median hourly wage: $29.77
- Total employment: 120 people (0.49 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#41. Electricians

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#41. Electricians

- Median annual wage: $61,980
- Median hourly wage: $29.80
- Total employment: 1,270 people (5.09 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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#40. Insurance sales agents

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#40. Insurance sales agents

- Median annual wage: $61,990
- Median hourly wage: $29.81
- Total employment: 530 people (2.1 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#39. Computer numerically controlled tool programmers

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#39. Computer numerically controlled tool programmers

- Median annual wage: $62,080
- Median hourly wage: $29.85
- Total employment: 90 people (0.36 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#38. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters

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#38. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters

- Median annual wage: $62,110
- Median hourly wage: $29.86
- Total employment: 830 people (3.31 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#37. Crane and tower operators

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#37. Crane and tower operators

- Median annual wage: $62,460
- Median hourly wage: $30.03
- Total employment: 40 people (0.16 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#35. Morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers

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16 / 50

#35. Morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers

- Median annual wage: $62,540
- Median hourly wage: $30.07
- Total employment: 40 people (0.17 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#34. Pipelayers

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#34. Pipelayers

- Median annual wage: $63,030
- Median hourly wage: $30.30
- Total employment: 30 people (0.13 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

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

- Median annual wage: $63,060
- Median hourly wage: $30.32
- Total employment: 2,720 people (10.86 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#32. Construction and building inspectors

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#32. Construction and building inspectors

- Median annual wage: $63,080
- Median hourly wage: $30.33
- Total employment: 150 people (0.61 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#31. First-line supervisors of farming, fishing, and forestry workers

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#31. First-line supervisors of farming, fishing, and forestry workers

- Median annual wage: $63,190
- Median hourly wage: $30.38
- Total employment: 50 people (0.2 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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#30. Mechanical drafters

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#30. Mechanical drafters

- Median annual wage: $63,480
- Median hourly wage: $30.52
- Total employment: 140 people (0.55 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#29. Industrial machinery mechanics

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#29. Industrial machinery mechanics

- Median annual wage: $63,770
- Median hourly wage: $30.66
- Total employment: 1,050 people (4.19 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#28. Electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians

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#28. Electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians

- Median annual wage: $64,530
- Median hourly wage: $31.03
- Total employment: 170 people (0.67 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#27. Physical therapist assistants

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#27. Physical therapist assistants

- Median annual wage: $64,850
- Median hourly wage: $31.18
- Total employment: 220 people (0.9 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

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

- Median annual wage: $66,100
- Median hourly wage: $31.78
- Total employment: 120 people (0.49 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#24. Occupational therapy assistants

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#24. Occupational therapy assistants

- Median annual wage: $66,240
- Median hourly wage: $31.84
- Total employment: 60 people (0.25 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

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

- Median annual wage: $67,080
- Median hourly wage: $32.25
- Total employment: 80 people (0.31 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#22. Computer network support specialists

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#22. Computer network support specialists

- Median annual wage: $68,140
- Median hourly wage: $32.76
- Total employment: 110 people (0.46 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

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30 / 50

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

- Median annual wage: $69,500
- Median hourly wage: $33.42
- Total employment: 40 people (0.17 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

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

- Median annual wage: $69,830
- Median hourly wage: $33.57
- Total employment: 1,890 people (7.54 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#19. Structural iron and steel workers

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#19. Structural iron and steel workers

- Median annual wage: $75,870
- Median hourly wage: $36.48
- Total employment: 100 people (0.41 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

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

- Median annual wage: $76,250
- Median hourly wage: $36.66
- Total employment: 1,010 people (4.03 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

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

- Median annual wage: $76,510
- Median hourly wage: $36.79
- Total employment: 1,710 people (6.84 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#16. Gas plant operators

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#16. Gas plant operators

- Median annual wage: $77,740
- Median hourly wage: $37.38
- Total employment: 30 people (0.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

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

- Median annual wage: $77,900
- Median hourly wage: $37.45
- Total employment: 360 people (1.43 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#14. Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door

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#14. Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door

- Median annual wage: $78,370
- Median hourly wage: $37.68
- Total employment: 110 people (0.42 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#13. Respiratory therapists

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#13. Respiratory therapists

- Median annual wage: $79,250
- Median hourly wage: $38.10
- Total employment: 220 people (0.9 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#12. Diagnostic medical sonographers

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#12. Diagnostic medical sonographers

- Median annual wage: $80,830
- Median hourly wage: $38.86
- Total employment: 130 people (0.54 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#11. Magnetic resonance imaging technologists

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#11. Magnetic resonance imaging technologists

- Median annual wage: $80,910
- Median hourly wage: $38.90
- Total employment: 110 people (0.43 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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#10. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators

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#10. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators

- Median annual wage: $80,940
- Median hourly wage: $38.91
- Total employment: 340 people (1.34 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#9. Dental hygienists

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#9. Dental hygienists

- Median annual wage: $82,040
- Median hourly wage: $39.44
- Total employment: 370 people (1.5 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#8. First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers

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#8. First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers

- Median annual wage: $86,050
- Median hourly wage: $41.37
- Total employment: 40 people (0.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#7. Telecommunications line installers and repairers

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44 / 50

#7. Telecommunications line installers and repairers

- Median annual wage: $86,440
- Median hourly wage: $41.56
- Total employment: 70 people (0.29 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#5. Postmasters and mail superintendents

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46 / 50

#5. Postmasters and mail superintendents

- Median annual wage: $90,900
- Median hourly wage: $43.70
- Total employment: 40 people (0.16 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#4. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers

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#4. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers

- Median annual wage: $95,910
- Median hourly wage: $46.11
- Total employment: 340 people (1.35 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#3. Detectives and criminal investigators

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#3. Detectives and criminal investigators

- Median annual wage: $96,920
- Median hourly wage: $46.60
- Total employment: 60 people (0.23 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#2. First-line supervisors of police and detectives

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#2. First-line supervisors of police and detectives

- Median annual wage: $106,260
- Median hourly wage: $51.09
- Total employment: 170 people (0.69 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#1. Electrical power-line installers and repairers

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50 / 50

#1. Electrical power-line installers and repairers

- Median annual wage: $106,890
- Median hourly wage: $51.39
- Total employment: 100 people (0.41 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Jill Jaracz, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 363 metros.

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