Dental hygienist is one job that pays above the median wage and is projected to see job growth over a decade.
That job also typically only needs an associate’s degree, unlike dentists or orthodontists.
Insider looked at growing jobs that pay decently and only need an associate’s degree.
Dental hygienist, a job that typically only needs an associate’s degree for entry, is projected to see job growth of 19,000 between 2021 to 2031, according to employment projection data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Unlike dentists or orthodontists — which are actually projected to see smaller increases in employment from 2021 to 2031 compared to dental hygienists — a dental hygienist typically doesn’t need a doctoral or professional degree for entry. They typically only need an associate’s degree.
With this methodology, paralegals and legal assistants made the top of this list. This job has a typical pay of $56,230 and is projected to grow by 49,900 from 2021 to 2031.
15. Industrial engineering technologists and technicians
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Employment in 2021: 64,200
Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: 2,100
Median annual wage in May 2021: $60,220
14. Chemical technicians
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Employment in 2021: 60,400
Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: 2,700
Median annual wage in May 2021: $48,990
13. Cardiovascular technologists and technicians
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Employment in 2021: 58,100
Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: 2,700
Median annual wage in May 2021: $60,570
12. Funeral home managers
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Employment in 2021: 40,700
Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: 2,800
Median annual wage in May 2021: $74,000
11. Magnetic resonance imaging technologists
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Employment in 2021: 41,200
Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: 3,000
Median annual wage in May 2021: $77,360
10. Health information technologists and medical registrars
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Employment in 2021: 39,900
Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: 7,000
Median annual wage in May 2021: $55,560
9. Medical equipment repairers
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Employment in 2021: 59,100
Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: 10,000
Median annual wage in May 2021: $49,910
8. Occupational therapy assistants
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Employment in 2021: 43,400
Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: 11,000
Median annual wage in May 2021: $61,730
7. Radiologic technologists and technicians
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Employment in 2021: 222,800
Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: 14,100
Median annual wage in May 2021: $61,370
6. Computer network support specialists
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Employment in 2021: 185,500
Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: 13,800
Median annual wage in May 2021: $62,760
5. Diagnostic medical sonographers
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Employment in 2021: 82,300
Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: 12,100
Median annual wage in May 2021: $77,740
4. Respiratory therapists
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Employment in 2021: 135,800
Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: 18,400
Median annual wage in May 2021: $61,830
3. Dental hygienists
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Employment in 2021: 214,000
Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: 19,000
Median annual wage in May 2021: $77,810
2. Physical therapist assistants
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Employment in 2021: 96,500
Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: 25,600
Median annual wage in May 2021: $61,180
1. Paralegals and legal assistants
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Employment in 2021: 352,800
Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: 49,900
Median annual wage in May 2021: $56,230
