Yahoo Finance 10 Graduate Degree Jobs That Can Pay More Than $100K
Discover high-paying graduate degree jobs.
Graduate school is a major commitment of time and money. But the return on investment can be high because a more advanced credential may help open the door to higher-paying jobs. The following careers, listed in alphabetical order, are a few examples of where a graduate degree can lead to a job with an annual salary of more than $100,000.
Updated May 22, 2018: This slideshow has been updated to include the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Computer and information systems manager
Computer and information systems managers, sometimes called IT managers, are responsible for directing the maintenance and improvement of their organization's technology systems. The median annual salary for this type of manager was $139,220 in 2017, according to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. And the job outlook is positive: The BLS estimates 12 percent growth in the number of IT manager jobs from 2016 to 2026.
Dentist
A career in dentistry is one of the top job options in the U.S., according to the 2018 U.S. News Best Jobs rankings. Dentists earned a median salary of $151,440 in 2017, according to BLS data. The job outlook for this career will give aspiring dentists something to smile about: The BLS projects 19 percent growth in this occupation from 2016 to 2026.
Economist
Economists conduct research and offer analysis on a variety of topics such as employment, wages or the economic impact of proposed laws or regulations. Workers in this field took home a median salary of $102,490 in 2017, according to the most recent data available from the BLS. The number of economist jobs is expected to grow by 6 percent from 2016 to 2026, per BLS data. This is just below the average for all occupations: 7 percent.
Financial manager
Financial managers develop strategies to help organizations meet their long-term financial goals. Examples of types of financial managers include chief financial officers, controllers and risk managers. Workers in this profession earned a median salary of $125,080 in 2017, according to the BLS, which predicts employment growth of 19 percent from 2016 to 2026.
Lawyer
A law degree can lead to jobs in many different fields, such as intellectual property law or real estate law. The median salary for attorneys was $119,250 in 2017, according to the most recent BLS data. This occupation's outlook for growth is 8 percent from 2016 to 2026, according to the BLS.
Mathematician
Those with a graduate degree in math might research mathematical theories or work to apply mathematical techniques in fields such as engineering and management. Mathematicians brought home a median annual salary of $103,010 in 2017, according to BLS data. Students with an interest in numbers will be encouraged to hear that the BLS predicts that the number of jobs for mathematicians will increase 30 percent from 2016 to 2026.
Nurse anesthetist
Nurse anesthetists deliver anesthesia to patients and provide related care before, during and after medical procedures. According to the most recent data available from the BLS, nurse anesthetists earned a median salary of $165,120 in 2017. The BLS predicts the number of nurse anesthetist jobs, which require at least a master's degree, to grow 16 percent from 2016 to 2026.
Optometrist
Optometrists perform eye examinations, prescribe glasses or contacts and may provide vision therapy treatments. These medical professionals brought home a median salary of $110,300 in 2017, according to the most recent BLS data. The number of jobs for optometrists is projected to increase by 18 percent from 2016 to 2026, according to the BLS. This growth is expected to be driven, in part, by an aging U.S. population with an increasing number of vision problems.
Pharmacist
Pharmacists fill prescriptions, consult with patients about their medications, provide some immunizations and more. These professionals earned a median annual salary of $124,170 in 2017, according to the most recent BLS data. The number of jobs for pharmacists is expected to grow by 6 percent from 2016 to 2026, according to the BLS. This is just below the average for all occupations, which is 7 percent.
Physician assistant
Physician assistants work in teams with other medical practitioners to provide patient care. These workers aren't full-fledged physicians, but they can still examine, diagnose and treat patients. Physician assistant is the No. 3 occupation in the U.S. News Best Jobs rankings, and according to the BLS, these workers earned a median annual salary of $104,860 in 2017. The number of physician assistant jobs is projected to grow rapidly -- by 37 percent -- from 2016 to 2026, according to the BLS.
Learn more about applying to grad school.
Explore our applying to graduate school section for information about finding and getting into to the right school for you. Also check out the latest Best Graduate Schools rankings to see the country's top business, medicine and law programs -- and more. For additional grad school tips, follow U.S. News Education on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
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