Highest paying jobs in Pittsburgh that require a graduate degree

Education pays.

At least, that's what Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows. Higher degree holders earn more and experience lower unemployment rates than those without degrees or with lesser degrees. On a weekly basis, master's degree holders earn over $500 more than the median for all U.S. workers over age 25, and doctoral degree holders earn about $850 more than that median. Professional degree holders like doctors, lawyers, and veterinarians earn even more, at nearly $870 more than the median.

However, advanced degrees often cost significant funds to obtain. A year of graduate tuition and fees cost about $19,750 for the 2020-21 academic year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. The average at private institutions was even more, at $26,620 per year. Some programs offer assistantships or fellowships that offset those costs, but many students will be on the hook for paying or borrowing tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Other data from the center, released in July 2023, shows that nearly 3 in 4 graduate students received financial aid in the 2019-20 academic year, in amounts averaging about $25,300.

The catch? Much of the aid doled out to graduate students is in loans. Graduate students who took out loans averaged $26,000, compared to an average of $11,300 in grant funds among recipients. A Center for American Progress analysis found that graduate debt rose from 2010-11 to 2017-18 while undergraduate debt fell, and the share of student debt accumulated by graduate students rose to 40%.

Is the higher pay worth the cost? That's up to prospective graduate students to decide. Using Bureau of Labor Statistics data, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-paying jobs that require a graduate degree in Pittsburgh, painting a clearer picture of the earnings potential. Jobs listed here require a master's, doctorate, or other professional degree and are ranked by their median annual pay as of May 2022. Any jobs without annual compensation figures available were excluded from this analysis.

Read on to see what a graduate degree could earn you in Pittsburgh.

This story features data reporting and writing by Paxtyn Merten and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 366 metros.

1 / 50

#50. Biological science teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $77,230
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Education required: Doctoral or professional degree
- Total employment: 340 people (0.32 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

2 / 50

#49. Genetic counselors

- Median annual wage: $77,290
- Median hourly wage: $37.16
- Education required: Master's degree
- Total employment: 110 people (0.1 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

3 / 50

#48. Orthotists and prosthetists

- Median annual wage: $77,870
- Median hourly wage: $37.44
- Education required: Master's degree
- Total employment: 110 people (0.11 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Internship/residency

4 / 50

#47. Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $77,980
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Education required: Master's degree
- Total employment: 860 people (0.81 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

5 / 50

#46. School psychologists

- Median annual wage: $78,870
- Median hourly wage: $37.92
- Education required: Master's degree
- Total employment: 310 people (0.29 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Internship/residency

6 / 50

#45. Audiologists

- Median annual wage: $78,900
- Median hourly wage: $37.93
- Education required: Doctoral or professional degree
- Total employment: 80 people (0.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

7 / 50

#44. Area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $78,990
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Education required: Doctoral or professional degree
- Total employment: 30 people (0.03 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

8 / 50

#43. Speech-language pathologists

- Median annual wage: $79,100
- Median hourly wage: $38.03
- Education required: Master's degree
- Total employment: 1,070 people (1.01 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Internship/residency

9 / 50

#42. Mathematical science teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $80,270
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Education required: Doctoral or professional degree
- Total employment: 290 people (0.27 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

10 / 50

#41. Chemistry teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $80,350
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Education required: Doctoral or professional degree
- Total employment: 210 people (0.2 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

11 / 50

#40. Education teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $80,810
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Education required: Doctoral or professional degree
- Total employment: 500 people (0.47 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

12 / 50

#39. Nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $81,210
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Education required: Doctoral or professional degree
- Total employment: 680 people (0.65 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

13 / 50

#38. Social sciences teachers, postsecondary, all other

- Median annual wage: $81,570
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Education required: Doctoral or professional degree
- Total employment: 100 people (0.1 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

14 / 50

#37. Healthcare diagnosing or treating practitioners, all other

- Median annual wage: $81,600
- Median hourly wage: $39.23
- Education required: Master's degree
- Total employment: 280 people (0.27 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

15 / 50

#36. Psychology teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $81,650
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Education required: Doctoral or professional degree
- Total employment: 370 people (0.35 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

16 / 50

#35. Psychologists, all other

- Median annual wage: $81,890
- Median hourly wage: $39.37
- Education required: Master's degree
- Total employment: 170 people (0.16 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Internship/residency

17 / 50

#34. Sociology teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $82,150
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Education required: Doctoral or professional degree
- Total employment: 60 people (0.06 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

18 / 50

#33. Occupational therapists

- Median annual wage: $82,540
- Median hourly wage: $39.68
- Education required: Master's degree
- Total employment: 1,110 people (1.05 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

19 / 50

#32. Communications teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $82,590
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Education required: Doctoral or professional degree
- Total employment: 130 people (0.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

20 / 50

#31. Foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $83,280
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Education required: Doctoral or professional degree
- Total employment: 200 people (0.19 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

21 / 50

#30. Administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers

- Median annual wage: $91,190
- Median hourly wage: $43.84
- Education required: Doctoral or professional degree
- Total employment: 100 people (0.09 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training

22 / 50

#29. Anthropology and archeology teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $92,030
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Education required: Doctoral or professional degree
- Total employment: 40 people (0.04 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

23 / 50

#28. Physics teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $94,020
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Education required: Doctoral or professional degree
- Total employment: 130 people (0.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

24 / 50

#27. Atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $96,010
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Education required: Doctoral or professional degree
- Total employment: 60 people (0.06 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

25 / 50

#26. Education administrators, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $96,290
- Median hourly wage: $46.29
- Education required: Master's degree
- Total employment: 1,250 people (1.18 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

26 / 50

#25. Physical therapists

- Median annual wage: $96,710
- Median hourly wage: $46.50
- Education required: Doctoral or professional degree
- Total employment: 2,070 people (1.96 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

27 / 50

#24. Computer science teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $97,990
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Education required: Doctoral or professional degree
- Total employment: 590 people (0.56 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

28 / 50

#23. History teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $99,390
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Education required: Doctoral or professional degree
- Total employment: 170 people (0.16 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

29 / 50

#22. Economists

- Median annual wage: $100,060
- Median hourly wage: $48.11
- Education required: Master's degree
- Total employment: 70 people (0.06 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

30 / 50

#21. Nurse midwives

- Median annual wage: $100,730
- Median hourly wage: $48.43
- Education required: Master's degree
- Total employment: 40 people (0.04 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

31 / 50

#20. Physician assistants

- Median annual wage: $100,840
- Median hourly wage: $48.48
- Education required: Master's degree
- Total employment: 1,290 people (1.22 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

32 / 50

#19. Veterinarians

- Median annual wage: $101,350
- Median hourly wage: $48.73
- Education required: Doctoral or professional degree
- Total employment: 600 people (0.57 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

33 / 50

#18. Education administrators, kindergarten through secondary

- Median annual wage: $103,490
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Education required: Master's degree
- Total employment: 1,510 people (1.43 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

34 / 50

#17. Business teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $104,060
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Education required: Doctoral or professional degree
- Total employment: 740 people (0.7 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

35 / 50

#16. Economics teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $105,190
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Education required: Doctoral or professional degree
- Total employment: 90 people (0.09 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

36 / 50

#15. Engineering teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $107,900
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Education required: Doctoral or professional degree
- Total employment: 760 people (0.72 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

37 / 50

#14. Nurse practitioners

- Median annual wage: $109,520
- Median hourly wage: $52.66
- Education required: Master's degree
- Total employment: 1,730 people (1.64 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

38 / 50

#13. Podiatrists

- Median annual wage: $114,700
- Median hourly wage: $55.15
- Education required: Doctoral or professional degree
- Total employment: 70 people (0.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Internship/residency

39 / 50

#12. Lawyers

- Median annual wage: $119,110
- Median hourly wage: $57.26
- Education required: Doctoral or professional degree
- Total employment: 4,530 people (4.28 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

40 / 50

#11. Dentists, general

- Median annual wage: $120,170
- Median hourly wage: $57.78
- Education required: Doctoral or professional degree
- Total employment: 990 people (0.93 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

41 / 50

#10. Optometrists

- Median annual wage: $127,870
- Median hourly wage: $61.48
- Education required: Doctoral or professional degree
- Total employment: 220 people (0.2 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

42 / 50

#9. Pharmacists

- Median annual wage: $128,760
- Median hourly wage: $61.90
- Education required: Doctoral or professional degree
- Total employment: 3,180 people (3.01 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

43 / 50

#8. Computer and information research scientists

- Median annual wage: $140,240
- Median hourly wage: $67.42
- Education required: Master's degree
- Total employment: 140 people (0.13 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

44 / 50

#7. Physicists

- Median annual wage: $175,520
- Median hourly wage: $84.38
- Education required: Doctoral or professional degree
- Total employment: 50 people (0.04 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

45 / 50

#6. Nurse anesthetists

- Median annual wage: $189,700
- Median hourly wage: $91.20
- Education required: Master's degree
- Total employment: 510 people (0.48 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

46 / 50

#5. Pediatricians, general

- Median annual wage: $193,440
- Median hourly wage: $93.00
- Education required: Doctoral or professional degree
- Total employment: 200 people (0.19 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Internship/residency

47 / 50

#4. Family medicine physicians

- Median annual wage: $202,340
- Median hourly wage: $97.28
- Education required: Doctoral or professional degree
- Total employment: 1,700 people (1.61 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Internship/residency

48 / 50

#3. Psychiatrists

- Median annual wage: $224,800
- Median hourly wage: $108.08
- Education required: Doctoral or professional degree
- Total employment: 100 people (0.1 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Internship/residency

49 / 50

#1. General internal medicine physicians (tie)

- Median annual wage: Exact median salary unknown; at least $239,200 per year or $115 per hour
- Education required: Doctoral or professional degree
- Total employment: 240 people (0.22 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Internship/residency

50 / 50

#1. Ophthalmologists, except pediatric (tie)

- Median annual wage: Exact median salary unknown; at least $239,200 per year or $115 per hour
- Education required: Doctoral or professional degree
- Total employment: 70 people (0.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Internship/residency