Salary is always a big consideration when it comes to a career change. In one study, 19% of those seeking new positions said a higher salary was the primary factor as they looked for a new job. If you’re considering going back to college or getting an online degree, you’ve probably thought about how to make that effort pay off for you and your family. After all, you’re going to be devoting a few years to the pursuit of the degree, along with the money you’ll spend in tuition. While earning your bachelor’s degree offers great financial rewards, it also costs more and takes more time to earn than a two-year associate’s degree.
Some two-year degrees can actually payout as well, or better, than many careers a four-year degree would prepare you to pursue. While you have to choose your program carefully and weigh all the pros and cons of both the training you have to go through and the career you’ll have in the end, a two-year degree might be your best financial option.
Two-year degrees that pay big:
Dental Hygienist
It may not be the career for everyone, but there’s no denying dental hygiene is a great career choice. Like much of the healthcare field, dental hygiene is a growing field so hygienists are likely to remain in demand. Because of high demand, perks and benefits for dental hygienists are often very good as well. Unlike many healthcare fields, dental hygienists tend to work very favorable traditional 9-5 hours. And the best part is, you only need a two-year degree but can expect an average salary of $70,000 or more.
Radiation Therapists
Radiation therapy is a highly skilled and specialized medical field career that only requires an associate’s degree. As a radiation therapist, you’ll work with patients who require radiation treatment for diseases like cancer. You’ll work directly with patients in a high-risk environment, operating equipment to deliver doses of radiation. The dangerous nature of the job is partially why compensation is so good for this position. Expect an average annual salary over $80,000. Workplace benefits and perks are usually very good, and growth in this field is solid so jobs should be plentiful well into the future.
Respiratory Therapist
Respiratory therapy is a rapidly expanding healthcare position that requires an associate’s of science degree in respiratory therapy. This two-year degree profession shows incredibly positive potential for growth and is expected to expand over 20% over the next decade. Jobs for respiratory therapists are available nationwide. Average compensation is over $60,000 yearly. Because of the nature of the job, workplace environments can vary greatly from clinics to hospitals to even home health treatments, so this is a great career path for anyone who wants the option to try different work environments.
