Highest-paying Jobs in Sacramento That Require a Graduate Degree

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Highest-paying jobs in Sacramento that require a graduate degree

Earning top dollar often requires more education than an undergraduate degree. Of course, doctors, lawyers, and professors all need extra years of focused study in their respective fields, but they're not alone. Graduate degrees in industries like business, engineering, and mathematics build specialized knowledge that can fast-track one's career—and salary.

In 2024, master's degree holders earned a weekly median of $1,840, a 19% premium over undergraduate degree holders. Meanwhile, doctorates earned $2,278, and professional degree holders earned $2,363.

However, wages can vary widely by occupation. Stacker used Bureau of Labor Statistics data to find the highest-paying jobs in Sacramento that require a graduate degree in Sacramento. This includes doctorates, master's degrees, and professional degrees. Jobs are ranked by their median annual pay as of May 2024, so any jobs without annual compensation figures available were excluded from this analysis.

Beyond offering higher pay, a master's degree may also provide greater job security. The unemployment rate for a master's degree holder was 2.2% in 2024, compared to 2.5% for undergraduate degree holders. Unemployment is close to 1% among those with doctorates and professional degrees.

According to a May 2025 report from ResumeGenius, many employers believe a graduate degree showcases an employee's drive and commitment, leading to better job prospects. But that comes at a price. Between 2000 and 2020, median annual tuition and fees for graduate degree programs increased by 233%. Unsurprisingly, median cumulative grad school debt also increased, rising 47% to $50,000.

Depending on the career field, the expense may be difficult to justify. Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce found that full-time workers with graduate degrees in STEM fields earned $128,000 annually, almost twice as much as their counterparts in humanities and the arts. Meanwhile, a humanities graduate degree brought only 10% more earnings than a bachelor's degree.

Keep reading to find out how much graduate degree holders can earn in different roles.

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#50. Instructional coordinators

- Median annual wage: $113,210
- Median hourly wage: $54.43
- Total employment: 1,680 people (1.57 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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#49. Statisticians

- Median annual wage: $113,810
- Median hourly wage: $54.72
- Total employment: 160 people (0.15 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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Aodaodaodaod // Shutterstock

#48. Sociologists

- Median annual wage: $114,230
- Median hourly wage: $54.92
- Total employment: 140 people (0.13 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#47. Anthropology and archeology teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $118,130
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 120 people (0.11 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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#46. Recreation and fitness studies teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $118,390
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 50 people (0.05 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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#45. Clinical and counseling psychologists

- Median annual wage: $118,780
- Median hourly wage: $57.10
- Total employment: 620 people (0.58 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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#44. English language and literature teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $119,870
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 300 people (0.28 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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#43. Nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $120,840
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 210 people (0.19 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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Prostock-studio // Shutterstock

#42. Foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $121,250
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 110 people (0.1 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $121,870
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 120 people (0.11 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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#40. History teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $122,400
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 100 people (0.09 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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#39. Speech-language pathologists

- Median annual wage: $122,490
- Median hourly wage: $58.89
- Total employment: 750 people (0.7 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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#38. Sociology teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $122,530
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 60 people (0.05 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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Drazen Zigic // Shutterstock

#37. Communications teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $123,070
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 100 people (0.09 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#36. Biological science teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $123,280
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 250 people (0.23 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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#35. Healthcare diagnosing or treating practitioners, all other

- Median annual wage: $123,740
- Median hourly wage: $59.49
- Total employment: 70 people (0.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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#34. Occupational therapists

- Median annual wage: $123,900
- Median hourly wage: $59.57
- Total employment: 650 people (0.61 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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#33. School psychologists

- Median annual wage: $123,960
- Median hourly wage: $59.60
- Total employment: 510 people (0.47 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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#32. Chemistry teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $125,460
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 90 people (0.09 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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#31. Political science teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $126,510
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 40 people (0.04 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#30. Physics teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $127,080
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 80 people (0.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#29. Education administrators, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $128,810
- Median hourly wage: $61.93
- Total employment: 580 people (0.54 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#28. Psychology teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $129,830
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 170 people (0.16 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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#27. Physical therapists

- Median annual wage: $130,160
- Median hourly wage: $62.58
- Total employment: 1,620 people (1.52 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

#26. Medical scientists, except epidemiologists

- Median annual wage: $131,390
- Median hourly wage: $63.17
- Total employment: 930 people (0.88 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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#25. Social sciences teachers, postsecondary, all other

- Median annual wage: $132,240
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 90 people (0.09 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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#24. Audiologists

- Median annual wage: $133,350
- Median hourly wage: $64.11
- Total employment: Not available

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#23. Computer science teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $135,920
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 120 people (0.11 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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#22. Education administrators, kindergarten through secondary

- Median annual wage: $150,510
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 2,090 people (1.96 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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#21. Physician assistants

- Median annual wage: $153,630
- Median hourly wage: $73.86
- Total employment: 760 people (0.71 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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#20. Optometrists

- Median annual wage: $154,450
- Median hourly wage: $74.25
- Total employment: 490 people (0.46 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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#19. Veterinarians

- Median annual wage: $158,420
- Median hourly wage: $76.16
- Total employment: 850 people (0.79 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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#18. Computer and information research scientists

- Median annual wage: $161,850
- Median hourly wage: $77.81
- Total employment: 150 people (0.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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Drazen Zigic // Shutterstock

#17. Postsecondary teachers, all other

- Median annual wage: $164,180
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 2,200 people (2.06 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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#16. Criminal justice and law enforcement teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $164,500
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 60 people (0.05 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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#15. Nurse practitioners

- Median annual wage: $164,520
- Median hourly wage: $79.10
- Total employment: 1,200 people (1.13 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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#14. Lawyers

- Median annual wage: $171,120
- Median hourly wage: $82.27
- Total employment: 6,730 people (6.31 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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Drazen Zigic // Shutterstock

#13. Pharmacists

- Median annual wage: $173,510
- Median hourly wage: $83.42
- Total employment: 2,320 people (2.18 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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Prostock-studio // Shutterstock

#12. Dentists, all other specialists

- Median annual wage: $201,960
- Median hourly wage: $97.09
- Total employment: 30 people (0.03 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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#11. Dentists, general

- Median annual wage: $204,320
- Median hourly wage: $98.23
- Total employment: 760 people (0.72 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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#10. Psychiatrists

- Median annual wage: $208,850
- Median hourly wage: $100.41
- Total employment: 270 people (0.26 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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#9. Podiatrists

- Median annual wage: $230,530
- Median hourly wage: $110.83
- Total employment: 90 people (0.09 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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#1. Physicians, all other (tie)

- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: 1,620 people (1.51 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)