What associates are worth it in 2026?

I’m currently a Registered Behavior Technician making $22/hr and am looking into associate degree options because I’m feeling pretty burned out in my current field. Unfortunately, due to working full time and having bills to pay, programs that require clinicals aren’t really realistic for me right now.

One thing I’m struggling with is that a lot of the careers I’ve looked into seem to want experience that I don’t have. I’m also not sure whether my experience as an RBT would be considered relevant healthcare experience for non-clinical hospital or healthcare roles.

I live in a smaller city in Brevard County, so there aren’t a ton of job openings for some of the careers I’ve been researching. So far, I’ve been considering Business Administration, Office Management, and Health Information Technology.

My goal is to transition into a stable career that pays at least close to what I’m making now, with opportunities for growth and advancement. I’d be willing to take a small pay cut if it led to better long-term career. I’m just trying to find a realistic path that fits my situation.