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Our economy is changing quickly. Technology and shifting cultural views are making many professions obsolete. A good education ensures you stay relevant in today’s job market. But you don’t have to spend years in school to get a well-paying job. There are a number of lucrative careers that don’t require anything more than a 2-year degree. Here are 5 of the highest paying associates degrees available today.

Radiation Therapist

Cancer continues to menace populations all around the world. Radiation therapists assist doctors when administering treatments to cancer patients. Their duties typically include:

• Talking with patients about treatment orders and answering their questions.
• Using established procedures and equipment to protect the patient from improper radiation exposure.
• Operating machinery that administers the treatments.
• Monitoring and recording patient reactions during treatment.

Therapists work closely with doctors and other medical staff to keep cancer patients safe and comfortable during treatment sessions. More than a medical professional, these technicians also provide emotional and physical support during their patients’ weakest moments. For this service, radiation therapists can earn an average wage of $38.73 per hour.

Dental Hygienist

Dental hygienists are the cornerstones of a good dental practice. The duties they perform help people of all ages preserve, repair, and replace their teeth. Their responsibilities include:

• Cleaning teeth to remove stains, plaque build-up, and tartar.
• Applying sealants and fluoride treatments.
• Assessing the condition of patients’ teeth and communicating it to the dentist.
• Taking x-rays.
• Educating patients on proper dental care.

During their college coursework, dental hygienists learn the basics of anatomy, nutrition, pathology, and other sciences that contribute to good oral health. These high paying associates degrees are great for those who enjoy working closely with different kinds of people. Pediatric dental hygienists are in especially high demand.

Nuclear Technician

You may not even need a 2-year degree for this high-paying position. Many nuclear technicians start off in the military and are able to use their experience to start a new career.  Nuclear technicians assist the engineers and physicists involved in energy production and research by:

• Monitoring equipment performance.
• Collecting soil, water, and air samples to test for environmental contamination.
• Measuring levels and types of radiation produced by power generation or experiments.
• Instructing other workers on the proper use of safety equipment and how to respond during an emergency.

Nuclear technicians are one of the highest paying associates degrees with an average hourly wage of $38.64. Their studies in nuclear science and technology make them an effective part of academic and commercial energy production teams. These positions are good for those who are dedicated to preserving our country’s energy independence or those who want to be on the cutting-edge of scientific research.

Funeral Director

Bring comfort and closure into the lives of those who have lost loved ones as a funeral director. A degree in mortuary science teaches students how to handle every aspect of funeral arrangement, including:

• Counseling the loved ones of the deceased.
• Reviewing funerary options with family members.
• Preparing the body for burial, cremation, or inurnment.
• Filing legal documents.

Directors also make arrangements for the remains’ final resting place. Though this is one of the highest paying associates degrees, mortuary science is not for everyone. Directing funerals requires a special blend of technical and soft skills, as well as a tolerance for gore.

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

Another allied health profession ends our list of the highest paying associates degrees in today’s job market. Medical sonographers help doctors diagnose patient conditions by:

• Preparing and maintaining imaging equipment.
• Using imagining equipment to obtain test results or diagnostic images.
• Reviewing results to ensure they are useful to the diagnosing doctor.
• Update patient records with test results and findings.

Medical sonographers work with obstetricians, cardiologists, and other specialists to diagnose internal conditions. The information they gather also helps doctors formulate effective treatment plans and monitor patient progress. Some colleges and hospitals offer a one-year certificate course for those interested in these careers.

Education is the key to success in our competitive job markets. However, you don’t have to sacrifice years of your life to qualify for a respected, secure, and rewarding career. In just two years, you could be enjoying the fruits of having one of the highest paying associates degrees in the country.