Information technology and computer jobs are some of the fastest-growing jobs – as projected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, they are supposed to grow by 12% by 2028. And with an average salary of $80,000, it is no wonder that this is quite an attractive field to seek a career. And the best news is you don’t actually need a four-year degree in order to succeed in landing the perfect IT job.
Read on to find out which are the highest paying IT jobs that you can get with an associate degree.
Computer engineering or computer science
What is the difference between computer engineering students and computer science students? The first ones study how to design, develop, test, and finally produce computers, while the second study hardware, software security, and networking.
As a worker who just started their career with an associate degree in computer science or computer engineering, you could expect an average salary of $40,000 per year, and expect this number to grow at least twice when you advance in your career.
With a degree in computer engineering or computer science, you could start looking for a job such as a Computer programmer, System analyst, Software developer or Software engineer, Data engineer, Data scientist, or Machine learning engineer.
Web development
Holding a web development degree means you have studied code and programming and are knowledgeable about interface design, web applications (CSS, HTML, and JavaScript), and databases (SQL Server, MySQL, Oracle).
Expect a starting salary of $46,600 and an average of $77,200 per year as a mid-career professional.
With a degree in web development, you could pursue a career as a Web designer, Front-end or Back-end developer, Full-stack developer, Software developer, UX/UI designer, SEO specialist, or Digital marketer.
Network engineering
As a network engineering student, you will learn how to create, implement, and maintain networking technologies, such as firewalls, routing, cryptographic tunneling, and so on. You will study the maintenance of a network’s data and wireless network services.
Expect to start with an annual salary of $49,200, which can grow to $79,500 by the time you become a mid-career professional.
With a degree in network engineering, you can work as a Network technician, engineer, analyst, security engineer, administrator, or manager.
Instrumentation technology
As a student in instrumentation technology, you will learn how to install, test, and maintain complex equipment or devices often used in automated processes in different industries such as communication, medicine, navigation, food processing, cosmetics, power generation, and so on.
With an associate degree in instrumentation technology, you can expect a starting salary of $45,000 per year and a mid-career salary of around $81,700.
Some of the most common jobs for instrumentation-technology degree holders include electronics technician or electronics repairer, electrical instrumentation technician, engineering technician, and electrical engineer.
Biomedical engineering technology
Students in biomedical engineering technology study how engineering principles and design concepts are applied to biology and medicine to help with health care treatment advancement by building and improving machines that can solve medical problems.
An average salary for a biomedical engineering technology degree holder is $47,400 per year and can grow up to $80,700 annually.
If you have a biomedical engineering technology degree, you would most probably pursue a job as a Biomedical engineer, Biomedical electronics technician, Rehabilitation engineer, Laboratory equipment specialist, Radiology equipment specialist, or Medical equipment repair technician.
