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5 Great Medical Jobs with Associates Degree

Key Takeaways:

  • Top medical jobs with an associate’s degree include Dental Hygienist and Diagnostic Medical Sonographer.
  • These jobs offer great pay, job satisfaction, and are in high demand.
  • Dental hygienists clean teeth and discuss oral hygiene with patients, earning about $77,810 a year.
  • Diagnostic medical sonographers use imaging equipment to help diagnose diseases, earning about $75,380 a year.
  • Both roles require passing professional exams and offer substantial job growth.
  • Education for these positions typically takes about two years to complete.

Medical jobs with associate degrees are abundant. Those interested in working in healthcare can find several great medical careers. Healthcare professionals are a pillar of our job force, and projected job growth is higher than most sectors.

Jobs in the Medical Field with an Associates Degree

Healthcare careers continue to grow every year and generally offer good wages and rewarding work. According to a report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), healthcare careers should see an employment growth of 18 percent in the next 10 years. Here are five great careers with excellent job growth an individual can find with an associate’s degree.

  • Dental Hygienist
  • Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
  • Respiratory Therapist
  • Licensed Practice Nurse
  • Surgical Technologist

1. Dental Hygienist

Dental Hygienists assist and work alongside dentists. They perform routine dental tasks like examining oral x-rays, applying sealants or fluoride, cleaning teeth, and discussing oral hygiene with patients. Dental assistants must complete a formal training program and pass both a written and clinic exam.

Dental hygienists rank right up there with the fastest-growing occupations. U.S. News & World Report ranks dental hygienists number three among the best health care support jobs and number 17 among the 100 best jobs.

Salary: $77,810

Job Growth: 11%

Average Education: 2 years

2. Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

Diagnostic medical sonographers operate special imaging equipment and high-frequency sound waves to create images of the human body to detect illnesses. They assist doctors in assessing and diagnosing medical problems.

In addition to earning an associate’s degree, the sonographer must obtain certification. They also have the option of obtaining certification in various areas of sonography. Diagnostic medical sonography was ranked number two among the best health care support jobs and number 26 among the 100 best jobs by U.S. News & World Report.

Salary: $75,380

Job Growth: 19%

Average Education: 2 years

3. Physical Therapy Assistant

Physical Therapy Assistants or PTAs work with physical therapists in helping patients recovering from accidents or illnesses return to normal activities. They also provide routine care to patients and help set up therapy equipment. Physical therapist assistants must complete an accredited associate degree program.

PTAs must be licensed in all states, so they must pass the National Physical Therapy Exam for PTAs. This occupation ranks number two among the best health care support jobs and number 20 among the 100 best jobs.

A Physical Therapist Aide is a job some PT Assistants take while in school. Aides usually get on-the-job training and need a high school diploma or GED. The BLS report in May 2021 reports the median annual wage for physical therapist aides is $29,200.

Salary: $61,180

Job Growth: 35%

Average Education: Two years

4. Surgical Technologist

Surgical technologists work alongside surgeons in the operating room during surgical procedures. Their tasks also include stocking the operating room, calibrating equipment, cleaning the operating room, handing instruments to the surgeon, communicating with patient,s and bringing patients from their room to the operating room and back again.

To work in surgical technology, individuals must complete a formal training program. Although it’s not required by law, surgical technologists may obtain certifications. U.S. News & World Report ranked this occupation number 23 among the best health care support jobs and number 92 among the 100 best jobs.

Salary: $48,530

Job Growth: 9%

Average Education: Two years or less

5. Licensed Practice Nurse

Licensed practical nurses or LPNs work under the supervision of RNs and doctors and assist them in providing basic health care to patients. In some states, these nurses are called Licensed Vocational Nurses or LVNs. Their duties include taking and monitoring patients’ vital signs, documenting patients’ medical history, maintaining patient records, administering immunizations, communicating with patients and family members, helping patients eat, dress and bathe, and dressing wounds.

LPNs are required to be licensed in all states, so the candidate must pass the NCLEX-PN exam and apply for licensure. LPNs were ranked number 96 among the 100 best jobs by U.S. News & World Report.

Salary: $48,070

Job Growth: 11%

Average Education: 1 year

Related Resource: 5 Important Characteristics of a Nurse

Other Medical Jobs With Associates Degree

Below are five more great medical careers an individual can find with an associate degree.

  • Occupational Therapy Assistant
  • Medical Assistant
  • Nuclear Medicine Technologist
  • Respiratory Therapist
  • Physical Therapy Assistant

6. Occupational Therapy Assistant

Occupational Therapy Assistants work alongside an Occupational Therapist. OTAs help patients recover from an injury or illness. These professionals conduct therapeutic activities with patients. These include stretching and they also teach patients how to use special equipment. Additionally, these assistants record patients’ progress and perform other administrative duties.

Most occupational therapy assistants have at least an associate degree from an accredited school and program. Occupational therapy assistant programs often feature accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (AOTA).

Occupational therapy aides only need a high school diploma or GED. They train on the job and many students in OTA programs work as aides before they graduate.

Salary: $61,730 per year

Projected Job Growth: 36%

Average Education: Two years

7. Medical Assistant

Medical Assistants work under a doctor of physican to help care for patients. Additionally, they also assist with administrative and clerical duties. These professionals are an important part of the healthcare team.

The main duties of a medical assistant are to record a patient’s vital signs, and maintain patient records. They also bring them into the examination room, prepare them for the physician, and assist physicians with exams when needed. These assistants can collect, prepare, and log specimens and labs.

Salary: $37,190

Job Growth: 18%

Average Education: 1-2 years

8. Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Nuclear Medicine Technologists work administering medication and radioactive drugs to patients for imaging and also for medical treatment. These technologists support physicians and other professional nuclear medicine professionals as they diagnose, treat, and provide care for patients. They also explain medical procedures and answer patient questions.

They also conduct research on radioactive drugs and act as emergency responders during a nuclear disaster. These technologists have specific safety procedures to limit radiation exposure.

Salary: $78,760

Job Growth: 8%

Average Education: 2 years

9. Respiratory Therapist

Respiratory therapists care for patients who have trouble breathing—for example, because of conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Their patients range from premature infants with undeveloped lungs to older adults whose lungs are diseased.

Programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). Respiratory therapists must be licensed in every state but Alaska. The licensure requirements are state-specific and vary. However, most include passing a state or professional certification exam. The National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) is the main certifying body for respiratory therapists. 

Salary: $61,830

Job Growth: 23%

Average Education: Two years

10. Physical Therapy Assistant

Physical Therapy Assistants (PTAs) work under the supervision of a physical therapist and provide care for patients. These professionals treat patients recovering from an illness or an injury. They work with patients to help them regain movement and mobility and also manage pain.

All states require PTAs to have a license. Licensure requires graduation from a physical therapist assistant program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. Then the applicant must pass the National Physical Therapy Exam for physical therapist assistants administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. 

Salary: $61,180

Job Growth: 35%

Average Education: 2 years

Additional Healthcare Jobs That Don’t Require a Bachelor’s Degree

Below are some additional healthcare jobs available at hospitals and other healthcare facilities.

  • Psychiatric Technicians
  • Registered Nurses
  • Radiation Therapists
  • Health Information Technicians
  • Radiology Technicians
  • Medical Coders
  • MRI Technologists
  • Medical Records Technician
  • EMT / Paramedic
  • Anesthesia Technician / Technologist
  • Medical Secretaries
  • Pharmacy Technician
  • Veterinary Technicians

Job Outlook for Medical Jobs with an Associate Degree

As long as we need healthcare, we’ll continue to need the services of medical professionals, especially those who work in the area of health care support jobs. Health care support jobs are used more frequently, allowing physicians more time with patients. Fortunately, many of these great careers are possible with an associate degree. Associate degree medical jobs offer some of the best value in education!

How Much is an Associate Degree in a Medical Field?

Cost is one of the biggest factors for many students. The cost of an associate degree can vary by geographic location, the type of school, and if the degree program is online or on-campus. Students at a public university often have the most affordable tuition. However, more schools are offering in-state tuition or lower for online degree programs.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reports the average total cost of an associate degree was $15,748. This is for in-state tuition at a public institution for students who live on campus The average cost for students who lived off-campus with family was $9,608 the same school year.

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