2 Year Degrees in the Medical Field

Two years the time required to complete an associates degree is the minimum amount of schooling required to get a high paying medical career. And many of those 2 year degrees in the medical field will net you a high paying career with little schooling.

If two years is too long, you could do a 6 or 8 week certification process to become a certified nursing assistant, but your salary will mirror what the the U.S. Census reports as median yearly personal income: $27,915.

That said, 2 year degrees in the medical field will net you a high paying career with little schooling and provide a foundation to continue your education.

After you graduate, you will then be required to take a certification exam, which may be at the national and state level or both.

You have additional options to receive a bachelors, then masters degree later in life. A 2-year medical degree represents the best solution to get a high paying medical career in short time. Lets look at eight different healthcare careers and list the median annual salary according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

List of 2 year degrees in the medical field

8. Cardiovascular and vascular technologists and technicians: $49,410

Cardiovascular and vascular technologists and technicians are the lowest paid in this list. They help heart doctors and focus on heart and blood vessel problems in patients.

A cardio tech will interview and record patients medical histories. They will operate diagnostic medical equipment, such as electrocardiogram and ultrasound machines.

They work in hospitals and physicians offices, along with laboratories and outpatient clinics.

7. Respiratory therapists: $54,280

Respiratory therapists help patients who are suffering from breathing issues, including asthma and emphysema. They, also, provide emergency care for patients with heart attacks, stroke, drowning, or shock.

Respiratory therapists perform diagnostic tests that include measuring lung capacity. They also use chest physiotherapy and aerosol medications to treat patients.

They work in hospitals and may travel to nursing care facilities and patients home.

6. Radiologic technologists: $54,340

Radiologic technologists mix patient care and technology. They operate diagnostic imaging equipment, including x-ray, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging equipment.

But they need to prepare patients for the procedure. This can include taking medical histories and educating them about the procedure.


They work with radiologists, who determine which area of the body to image. More than 60 percent of radiologic technologists work in hospitals.

5. Diagnostic medical sonographers: $64,380

Diagnostic medical sonographers use medical imaging equipment, too. Their equipment directs a sound wave into the patients body, which becomes visible on a computer screen.

This procedure does require patient care and the ability to analyze the images and provide preliminary findings to the physician.

They work mainly in hospitals, physician offices, laboratories, and outpatient care centers.

4. Registered nurses: $64,690

Out of all the positions listed, registered nurses have the most patient care responsibilities and is not the right medical career for everybody. They record patients symptoms and medical histories, along with observe patients and record their observations.

RNs, also, dole out medications. They provide advice, support, and educate patients (and their families) about illness and injury. Nurses work directly with physicians and others in healthcare.

Nurses work in hospitals, clinics, physician offices, nursing care facilities, schools, and some corporations.

3. Dental hygienists: $68,250

Dental hygienists work with dentists in their office. The hygienist cleans patients teeth, removing tartar, stains, and plaque. They may also apply sealant and fluoride and take dental x-rays.

Hygienists examine teeth for oral diseases and determines if other preventative care will be needed. They will educate patients about good oral hygiene and keep track of patient care.

2. Nuclear medicine technologists: $68,560

Nuclear medicine technologists use radioactive drugs and medical imaging equipment to scan images of a patients body. The radioactive drug causes abnormal areas of the body to look different than normal areas. This imagery allows a physician to make a diagnosis.

Nuclear medicine techs must educate patients about the procedure and follow strict safety protocol, which protects patients (and themselves) from too much radiation.

They work mainly hospitals because the computerized equipment is large.

1. Radiation therapists: $74,980

Radiation therapists administer radiation treatments to patients who have cancer. They operate linear accelerators machines that direct radiation at a specific part of a patients body. A radiation therapist educates patients about the treatment and addresses any of their concerns.

They, also, monitor the patient for unusual reactions and keep detailed records. Working with radiation, radiation therapists must follow strict safety protocol to make sure they are not exposed to harmful radiation.

They work mainly in hospitals and cancer treatment centers.


I hope this article about 2 year degrees in the medical field has been of use to you. Also, feel free to look around my website, which lists 42 different medical careers. I also have resources for medical assisting careers, as well.