if you go into a very reputable company, they really wont care what kind of certs you..well atleast to a point, but when it comes to pay they will look for what kind of degree you have. Im my career, I have ran into the degree problem only once, my pay was determined upon my degree. But all my other position were temp to perm, so by the time it was perm time, I showed them I knew my shiat so ended up getting good pay.

But get your associate for sure, and IT also relies on years of experience.