Just in my experience, employers are looking for that BA or BS degrees, not an Associates. So I think to advance you may need to move up to a Bachelors level degree. However, lots of students come out of school and think they are qualified for higher level or higher paying positions when they don't have the requisite experience. I see that A LOT with Masters students, who have spent 7 years in school but have no real world experience.

I think getting your Bachelors is a good idea, but what would also help is looking into getting an internship in your field of interest. That will provide you real world experience and help you land a job in your field after you graduate.

Good luck,
seesaw