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Make this year your most lucrative year yet, by launching a degree program in one of the hottest career fields out there. Some of the most in-demand positions of this decade can be landed with a two-year degree from your local community college. Training is relatively short and cost-effective, and the potential in some of these fields provides plenty of prospects for the future. Check out the best careers that you can start with an associate degree.

Dental Hygienist

Still holding the top spot as one of the most promising careers of the decade, the job of a dental hygienist involves working directly with patients to provide education and preventative care. Dental hygienists typically work in the offices of dentists or orthodontists, keeping regular office hours. Many work part-time with flexible scheduling and job-sharing options available. According to U.S. News and World Report, the average annual salary for a dental hygienist is $69,280, and the outlook for job growth is excellent as more dentists add hygienists to their staff in order to increase the patient load.

Real Estate Appraiser

According to MyKelly.com, both commercial and residential real estate appraisers should enjoy significant job growth over the next few years. This position involves assessing all types of properties to determine the current value for resale or financing purposes. Appraisers must have a solid understanding of real estate principles and practices, as well as basic processes involved in appraisals and property sales. MyKelly.com

When most people dream of a high-paying profession, the thought of years of schooling also comes to mind. The perception is that in order to earn more, you must study more to prepare for your career. However, plenty of six-figure jobs are available to those with a community college degree as well. While not all of these positions earn a high salary as a starting point, many working in the profession can work their way up to six figures through dedication and hard work. Check out these six-figure jobs you can land with a community college degree.

Air Traffic Controller

While many air traffic controllers launch their careers with a four-year degree, community college options also appear for this position. Community College of Beaver County offers a two-year program in air traffic control that prepares students for the job of control tower operator. The school boasts a student-staffed control tower to give students on-the-job training while earning their degrees. According to CB Salary, the average annual salary for an air traffic controller is $109,850.

This video reports on air traffic controller training at Community College of Baltimore County, Catonsville.

Personal Trainer

Those with a passion for fitness and health may find their calling as a personal trainer. According to KDVR, personal trainers that are willing to work hard and provide flexibility in scheduling to their clients can easily make a

Looking for a lucrative way to manage your “midlife crisis”? Maybe a career change is an answer. The good news is you don’t have to spend years preparing for a midlife career change today. Thanks to the wealth of options available at your local community college, you can explore a new profession in two years or less. Check out some of the top community college degrees for midlife career changers.

Accountant

Love crunching numbers? Perhaps now is the time to launch a new career in the accounting industry. Whether you lean toward tax preparation or financial planning, your community college degree in accounting or finance can get you on a rewarding career path. Use your previous professional experience and new training to land a position that fit perfectly with the financial industry. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the average annual salary for accountants to be $61,690.

Interior Designer

Creative types can move away from the office grind by training for a new career in interior design. This field is a good choice for those who are high on taste and just need the education to back up their talents, according to Grindstone. This highly flexible job even allows you to begin working on small projects, perhaps under the watchful eye of a professional designer, while you are completing your education in your newly chosen field. Currently, the average annual salary for an interior designer is around $46,280.

Assisted Living Assistant

Seniors

Many people dream of working from home today, enjoying flexible hours without long, stressful commutes to and from the office. The good news is that the world of telecommuting has evolved considerably from its early years of stuffing envelopes and making sales calls. Today’s professional has a wealth of options in work-from-home positions, and many can be obtained with a two-year degree from the local community college. Check out these top 10 careers you can enjoy from the comfort of home with a community college degree under your belt.

Medical Transcriptionist

Transcriptionists take dictated notes from doctors and transcribe them into patient files. While there is a high demand for this type of work, employers are usually looking for applicants with some training – like a community college degree – that allows them to jump into the position. According to Bankrate.com, a medical transcriptionist can earn anywhere from $10 to $20 or more an hour.

Web Designer

An associate degree in web design can launch an exciting technology career that can be done from home in many cases. This field is a wide open one that typically offers more work-from-home job openings than any other industry, according to Yahoo Finance. Those interested in the field can find potential jobs at any number of websites that advertise telecommuting positions. Salaries for web designers can vary considerably, based on location and level of experience.

Registered Nurse

Health care is a popular field for community college

Despite laments nationwide over the sluggish economy and high unemployment rates, some fields are booming for community college graduates today. With decent starting salaries and higher-than-average growth predictions, many of these fields are the perfect professions for higher education students to focus their studies. Many of the fastest-growing jobs on the latest list can be entered with an associate degree, giving graduates the best possible value for their education dollars.

Home Health Aides

Home health aides come into homes to help those who are disabled, ill, or elderly. These professionals provide various services, from personal hygiene to light housekeeping. In some states, aides can administer medication or take vital signs. The home health aide role is imperative to those who want to be at home but cannot care for themselves ultimately. Although most visit patient homes, some work in group homes or care centers.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for a home health aide was $20,560 in 2010. The job opportunities are expected to grow by 69.4 percent between 2010 and 2020, well ahead of the national average for job growth. This profession typically does not require postsecondary education, although a two-year degree at a community college may increase employment prospects.

Veterinarian Technicians

Those with a passion for four-legged patients may find their niche as veterinary technicians or technologists. These professionals work alongside veterinarians, performing diagnostic testing and assisting with the treatment of animals of all kinds.