Top 30 Short Degrees that Pay Well

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If you’re wondering what the best short-term programs will pay you well, then you’ve come to the right place! Here’s our list of the top 30 short degrees that pay you the most money in the shortest amount of time! If you want to make money right away, choosing a short degree may be the way to go, many two-year degrees pay just as much as four-year degrees. Take a look at this list and see if there’s something that catches your eye.

Benefits of Attending Short-Term College Degree Programs

Below are the benefits of attending a short-term college degree program:

  • They’re much cheaper than a traditional 4-year program.
  • They provide valuable knowledge and skills that employers look for such as leadership abilities or project management skills which could lead to better career opportunities after graduation.
  • Attending a short-term college degree program can be an excellent idea for those who need to get into the workforce quickly.
  • short-term degree programs usually consist of two semesters or less so even with cutting your expenses in half, you can still spend less time going through school than most people do.

List of the Best Short Degrees that Pay Well

Below is a list of the top short degrees that pay well:

Top 30 Short Degrees that Pay Well

Below is the description of the top 30 short degrees that pay well:

1. Air Traffic Control

  • Starting Salary: $71,000
  • Median Annual Salary: $130,000

To reduce delays and guarantee passenger safety, air traffic controllers utilize technology to track and relay potential dangers and other useful information to pilots. They issue takeoff and landing directions, keep track of weather and wind changes, and help control activities both on the ground and in their assigned airspace.

2. Software Development

  • Starting Salary: $72,000
  • Median Annual Salary: $110,000

A software developer creates and constructs computer programs that run desktop computers, mobile gadgets, and even automobiles. Along with identifying customer demands, they develop new applications for any market and make adjustments based on user feedback.

3. Manager Diagnostic Imaging

  • Starting Salary: $67.000
  • Median Annual Salary: $102,000

The department is under the management of diagnostic imaging managers, who make sure that all practices and guidelines adhere to accreditation organizations’ requirements. While keeping an eye on the department’s budgetary expenses, the manager may create cost projections and budget recommendations.

4. Electrical Engineering Technology

  • Starting Salary: $61,000
  • Median Annual Salary: $100,000

Electrical Engineering Technologists aid in developing, installing, and testing machinery and systems. They ensure that Burn-in tests should be performed on assemblies, and the findings should be recorded and analyzed. They also assist in creating and testing prototypes. To adjust and fix tools and equipment, comprehend and adhere to technical documentation.

5. Construction Project Management

  • Starting Salary: $55,000
  • Median Annual Salary: $97,000

The duties of the construction project manager include managing relationships with important stakeholders, developing performance indicators and deliverables (including managing budgets), and planning work assignments that adhere to deadlines and specifications while taking changes in scope or budget into account during contract execution.

6. Finance

  • Starting Salary: $53,000
  • Median Annual Salary: $94,000

The department of an organization known as the finance department is in charge of raising money for the business, managing money inside the company, and organizing how the money will be spent on various assets.

7. Radiation Therapy

  • Starting Salary: $61,000
  • Median Annual Salary: $91,000

Radiation therapist focuses on treating cancer patients, They deliver radiation therapy and keep an eye on patients’ progress while conferring with oncology doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. They also put on safety gear to guard against radiation exposure. In the end, they collaborate closely with patients to develop and carry out individualized treatment regimens.

8. Computer Programming

  • Starting Salary: $64,000
  • Median Annual Salary: $89,000

Computer programmers create and test the code necessary for computer programs and apps to run. They can convert the designs of engineers and software developers into usable code. They can also improve or add to the code of already-existing systems, or test programs for flaws, identifying and fixing problematic code.

9. Nuclear Science Technology

  • Starting Salary: $57,000
  • Median Annual Salary: $84,000

Nuclear technicians often work in nuclear energy production or support physicists, engineers, and other experts in nuclear research. They control specialized machinery used in these operations and keep an eye on the radiation levels generated.

10. Radiation Therapy

  • Starting Salary: $63,000
  • Median Annual Salary: $86,000

A radiation Therapist takes the role of radiation machine calibration, operation, and maintenance. Monitors patients for negative side effects while receiving treatment and also ensures that the treatment is administered accurately by employing imaging technology.

11. Network System Administration

  • Starting Salary: $52,000
  • Median Annual Salary: $81,000

The network administrator’s responsibility is to make sure the computer networks run smoothly. This covers all network hardware, software, and communication links, as well as their planning, creation, installation, configuration, maintenance, support, and optimization.

12. Diagnostic Medical Sonography 

  • Starting Salary: $59,000
  • Median Annual Salary: $80,000

A diagnostic medical sonographer also referred to as a “sonographer,” creates ultrasounds, or images of various body parts, using imaging technology and sound waves. They have the skills necessary to gather and evaluate these sonographic images. Many medical disorders are diagnosed and treated by doctors with the aid of these photographs.

13. Dental Hygiene

  • Starting Salary: $57,000
  • Median Annual Salary: $78,000

By cleaning patients’ teeth, educating them about proper tooth and gum care, and the impact of nutrition on oral health, dental hygienists contribute to the prevention of dental decay. Along with manual dexterity, dental hygienists need to have great interpersonal skills.

14. Surgical Technology

  • Starting Salary: $46,000
  • Median Annual Salary: $74,000

Medical experts known as surgical technicians support surgeons during operations. They are in charge of setting up and maintaining surgical facilities, cleaning equipment prior to procedures that call for it, and preserving a sterile environment.

15. Accounting

  • Starting Salary: $54,000
  • Median Annual Salary: $74,000

By gathering, monitoring, and adjusting the company’s financial information, an accountant assists firms in making important financial decisions. They are in charge of conducting financial audits, comparing bank statements, and guaranteeing the accuracy of financial records all year long.

16. Web Development

  • Starting Salary: $56,000
  • Median Annual Salary: $70,000

Websites are created and maintained by web developers. They are in charge of a website’s general aesthetic. The technical elements of a website, such as its performance (website speed), and capacity, are also taken care of by web developers (the maximum amount of traffic the site could handle at a given time).

17. Aerospace Engineering Technology

  • Starting Salary: $45,000
  • Median Annual Salary: $69,000

Technicians in aerospace engineering install, operate, and repair machinery required to create, test, create, and sustain airplanes and spacecraft. Key components of these vehicles and systems depend on their work to be safe and precise.

18. Aircraft Maintenance

  • Starting Salary: $40,000
  • Median Annual Salary: $68,000

The structural systems of aircraft must be examined, identified, and repaired by aircraft mechanics. They also aid in identifying repair techniques, planning regular updates, and maintaining hydraulic and mechanical systems. They could work in the logistics or aviation sectors.

19. Law Enforcement

  • Starting Salary: $43,000
  • Median Annual Salary: $67,000

Protecting lives and property is a law enforcement officer’s top priority. Their entire work revolves around this single duty. There are many different categories of law enforcement personnel and agencies. Depending on the organization and type of officer, different tasks are carried out.

20. Cost Estimation

  • Starting Salary: $47,000
  • Median Annual Salary: $66,500

To determine how much money, time, materials, and labor will be needed to finish a construction project, deliver a service, or produce a product, cost estimators gather and evaluate data. To guarantee that a project is finished on schedule and under budget, it is their responsibility to offer accurate estimates.

21. Zoologist

  • Starting Salary: $42,000
  • Median Annual Salary: $66,300

Scientists from the biological field known as zoologists are experts in the study of animals and their environments. Their main responsibilities include studying animal behavior, gathering zoological information for analysis, and helping to publish scientific journals.

22. Market Research Analysis

  • Starting Salary: $51,000
  • Median Annual Salary: $65,600

To find possible new markets, sales possibilities, and the most efficient ways to sell specific products, the market research analyst will gather, assemble, and analyze data about goods and market circumstances.

23. Quantity Surveying

  • Starting Salary: $45,000
  • Median Annual Salary: $65,000

The quantity surveyor plays a part in the construction project from the very beginning. They are crucial in creating expense estimates during this stage. The quantity surveyor assists in determining the ideal quantity and cost of the building materials when the project owner is creating the budget.

24. Forestry

  • Starting Salary: $43,000
  • Median Annual Salary: $64,300

Foresters are in charge of managing forests and woods as well as overseeing recreational, conservation, and timber-related activities. Foresters oversee the condition of the land in parks and forests. They keep an eye on conservation and forestry initiatives. Ensure that operations adhere to legal requirements.

25. Animal Science

  • Starting Salary: $45,000
  • Median Annual Salary: $63,700

To better understand the biological and chemical mechanisms by which the animals develop, animal scientists do research on a wide range of domestic animal species and usually deal with cattle. The quantity and quality of the nation’s food supply are maintained and improved in large part thanks to animal scientists.

26. Editing

  • Starting Salary: $43,200
  • Median Annual Salary: $63,400

Editors organize, plan, and modify content for use in magazines, books, newspapers, websites, and other media. Editors consider potential article ideas and choose the content that will appeal to readers the most. Editors offer suggestions for titles and headlines as well as feedback on how to make the product better during the review process.

27. Nutrition and Dietetics

  • Starting Salary: $44,000
  • Median Annual Salary: $63,000

Dietitians and nutritionists frequently work in cafeterias, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, public health groups, and governmental organizations. They are experts in the fields of nutrition, food, and health. They must stay current on nutritional news and research as well as assess patients’ requirements, counsel patients, and create either group or individual meal plans.

28. Public Relation

  • Starting Salary: $40,000
  • Median Annual Salary: $62,400

Public relations specialists help their clients create and maintain a favorable public opinion. Designing social media campaigns, preparing press releases, speeches, or opinion articles, setting up interviews, and managing media inquiries are all part of the job. Public relations professionals need strong public speaking, writing, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills in order to build a positive reputation for their clients.

29. Library and Information Science

  • Starting Salary: $37,000
  • Median Annual Salary: $61,000

These experts are responsible for delivering and sourcing information and book titles for patrons, arranging this abundance of material into a user-friendly system, operating community programs, and a variety of other administrative duties. A librarian may work in a real library, as well as at a school, a government agency, a medical facility, or a legal foundation.

30. Forensic Science

  • Starting Salary: $35,500
  • Median Annual Salary: $60,400

Technicians in forensic science gather and examine the evidence for judicial cases. Some focus on crime scenes, while others operate in laboratories. Technicians document crime scenes using photos and sketches, gather fingerprints and bodily fluids, organize the evidence, and preserve its integrity. They examine the evidence in laboratories, occasionally employing DNA or ballistics analysis.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the shortest amount of time to get a bachelor's degree?

Fast-track degree programs can be finished in as little as 16 months, like the Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management. Applicants needed two years of full-time professional experience to be admitted to this fast online degree program.

Who could benefit from these degree programs?

Anyone wishing to receive professional training and education should consider enrolling in a short-term certification program. However, those who lack the time or resources to disrupt their lives in order to spend months in a classroom will find these programs to be extremely helpful.

What does it take to qualify for these degree programs?

Admission to the majority of short-term certificate programs calls for a high school diploma or a GED. The university may also require new students to develop financial plans to demonstrate their ability to pay for their tuition and other school-related expenses. Students typically need to demonstrate their command of the English language.

Why are these programs valuable?

Short-term courses are, well, brief. They spare students from making additional payments for their education. After completing the program, graduates are able to start working as soon as is practical, which immediately results in a paycheck. Short-term programs place a strong emphasis on teaching students practical, real-world skills so they may start working as soon as they graduate. These abilities frequently cut across career boundaries.

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Conclusion

As you can see, some degrees will pay more than others. While it’s never a good idea to put too much stock in what employers say they’re willing to pay (even though they always do say that), it’s worth noting that there are many short-term degrees that can result in higher pay. If you have the opportunity to make some extra cash while you study something else, then why not?