10 highest-paying jobs for talent with associate degrees

As student loan debt climbs to $2 trillion in the U.S., more Americans are questioning if a bachelor's degree is worth the trouble — especially since there is no guarantee they will earn enough to accommodate monthly loan payments.

That's why Resume Genius put together a list of 10 jobs that not only pay above $65,000 and are projected to be in demand over the next decade, but also only require associate degrees. Potentially cutting student loan debt in half with a two-year degree in exchange for a stable career is more than tempting, given how the cost of living has become unbearable for a lot of workers in the last few years.

"Economic uncertainties, such as those brought by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent tech layoffs, have led many people, especially those from younger generations, to question whether a bachelor's degree is the only path to success," says Eva Chan, career advisor at Resume Genius. "Associate degrees offer a practical alternative by providing a shorter and more affordable route to fulfilling, well-paying careers in various industries."

Read more: Need talent? Why employers should look beyond college degrees

From healthcare jobs to nuclear energy production, those with associate degrees may find that less education and more practical experience can open up a path to many technical careers.