Lawyers stay in school for at least seven years. Doctors log about a decade, residency included. You don't need to spend six years in a college classroom to land a six-figure career. Smart education choices can get you there in two to four years. Here's a look at lucrative careers you can launch with an associate degree in two years or a bachelor's degree in four years.
Two years to tap into higher earnings
What a difference two years can make -- both to your career prospects and your bottom line. Associate degree holders earn almost 30 percent more per year than workers with high school diplomas. The following associate-degree-powered careers put you on a fast track to a comfortable living.
1. Nurse
A two-year associate degree in nursing (ADN) qualifies you to become a registered nurse. As you pursue your career, you can upgrade your training and your advancement opportunities with an online RN-to-BSN program.
As a registered nurse, you're eligible for one of the hottest job markets of our time. The health care sector can't hire enough workers to meet the growing demand for medical services, due to advances in health care and an aging population. Nursing will add more jobs from 2006 to 2016 than almost any other occupation, according to U.S. Department of Labor projections. Your earning power is similarly impressive; in high-demand areas, salaries break the six-figure mark.
- Nurse, national average: $65,130
- Nurse, Northern California: $96,150 to $104,400
2. Paralegal
Paralegals are taking on more responsibility than ever, performing research, interviewing clients, producing and submitting legal documents, and more. In effect, paralegals are attorneys without the ability to argue cases in court or give legal advice -- and without the seven-year education. Paralegals qualify for the field with a two-year associate degree in paralegal studies. The paralegal studies program offers an introduction to the legal field, including legal technology, research methods and writing.
As paralegals assume attorney-grade responsibilities, their salaries are beginning to reflect the change. Average earnings vary widely, a reflection of the different roles the profession encompasses. Depending on your experience, you might earn:
- Paralegal, average: $48,790
- Paralegal, top percentile: $73,450
Four years to further profit
Bachelor's degree holders earn nearly double what high school graduates make, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Invest an additional two years in the college classroom to take advantage of these career opportunities:
3. Sales representative
A bachelor's degree in business will set you up for a job as a sales representative. The four-year business degree offers training in business fundamentals such as sales and marketing strategy. Just as important, you'll develop the communication skills and analytical ability to persuade customers to buy. For a lucrative career in technical and scientific sales, add courses in biology, engineering, chemistry or electronics.
For many sales representatives, salary has more to do with work ethic than college pedigree. Between their base salary and their performance-based commission, sales reps can easily bring home six figures. High income is most common in lucrative fields such as pharmaceutical and technical sales. Earnings vary widely based on performance, but the U.S. Department of Labor lists the following average benchmarks:
- General sales: $61,470
- Sales of technical and scientific products: $79,260
4. Engineer
Engineers command the highest starting salaries of any bachelor's degree holder, according to U.S. Department of Labor data. In other words, no other four-year degree clocks more mileage in the post-grad job market. A bachelor's degree in engineering can earn you an entry-level salary in the $60,000 range. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, entry-level petroleum engineers earned an average salary of $60,718 in 2007.
Start building a foundation for success in college. A bachelor's degree in engineering will train you to apply scientific and mathematical principles to the design and development of technical products. In addition to core math and science courses, you'll specialize in a particular area such as civil, mechanical or chemical engineering. For best results on the job market, choose a lucrative specialty. Petroleum and computer hardware engineers top the engineering payroll with six-figure average salaries:
- Petroleum engineers: $119,140
- Computer Hardware: $100,180
5. Accountant
Count on higher earnings by training for a career in accounting. A bachelor's degree in accounting sets you up for a job compiling and analyzing financial information for a business or government agency. You'll build valuable skills in auditing, financial planning, budgeting, bookkeeping, financial reporting and tax preparation. For the best earnings prospects, follow your bachelor's degree with a certified public accountant (CPA) license. Requirements vary by state, but typically involve an additional 150 hours of coursework and a licensing exam.
Accountants apply their skills to help organizations analyze and plan their finances. Increased government regulation has boosted demand for trained accountants on both sides of the fence: public accountants to enforce the regulations, and private-sector accountants to help organizations comply with the new rules. The direction you choose will influence your earning power:
- Public accountants, federal government: $84,520
- Accountants, average: $65,840
A few years of college education can have a dramatic impact on your earning power. Two-year associate degrees offer the biggest bang for your buck, increasing salary an average of 15 percent per year. Two additional years will net you a bachelor's degree, and another leap in career opportunities and pay. With online degrees widely available, it's never been easier to invest in your education and upgrade your career.
