VH-studio // Shutterstock
1 / 50#50. School psychologists
- Median annual wage: $108,010
- Median hourly wage: $51.93
- Total employment: 920 people (0.6 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Highest-paying jobs in San Diego 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 San Diego that require a graduate degree in San Diego. 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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2 / 50#49. Postsecondary teachers, all other
- Median annual wage: $108,510
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 3,970 people (2.59 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
ABO PHOTOGRAPHY // Shutterstock
3 / 50#48. Occupational therapists
- Median annual wage: $112,050
- Median hourly wage: $53.87
- Total employment: 1,260 people (0.82 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
KSai23 // Shutterstock
4 / 50#47. Chiropractors
- Median annual wage: $112,700
- Median hourly wage: $54.18
- Total employment: Not available
Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock
5 / 50#46. Audiologists
- Median annual wage: $113,950
- Median hourly wage: $54.78
- Total employment: 70 people (0.04 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
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6 / 50#45. Healthcare diagnosing or treating practitioners, all other
- Median annual wage: $118,830
- Median hourly wage: $57.13
- Total employment: 240 people (0.15 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
7 / 50#44. Education administrators, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $120,760
- Median hourly wage: $58.06
- Total employment: 1,130 people (0.73 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Pheelings media // Shutterstock
8 / 50#43. Statisticians
- Median annual wage: $121,150
- Median hourly wage: $58.25
- Total employment: 270 people (0.18 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
9 / 50#42. Psychology teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $123,520
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 420 people (0.28 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Prostock-studio // Shutterstock
10 / 50#41. Foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $124,610
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 190 people (0.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
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11 / 50#40. Physicists
- Median annual wage: $124,710
- Median hourly wage: $59.96
- Total employment: 370 people (0.24 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
12 / 50#39. Computer and information research scientists
- Median annual wage: $124,790
- Median hourly wage: $60.00
- Total employment: 1,570 people (1.02 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
13 / 50#38. Medical scientists, except epidemiologists
- Median annual wage: $128,270
- Median hourly wage: $61.67
- Total employment: 4,240 people (2.77 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
GaudiLab // Shutterstock
14 / 50#37. Engineering teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $129,140
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 230 people (0.15 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Matej Kastelic // Shutterstock
15 / 50#36. Business teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $131,590
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 460 people (0.3 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
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SeventyFour // Shutterstock
16 / 50#35. History teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $133,070
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 160 people (0.1 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Drazen Zigic // Shutterstock
17 / 50#34. Communications teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $133,200
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 330 people (0.21 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Syda Productions // Shutterstock
18 / 50#33. Economics teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $133,230
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 80 people (0.05 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
19 / 50#32. Mathematical science teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $133,360
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 350 people (0.23 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Kzenon // Shutterstock
20 / 50#31. Optometrists
- Median annual wage: $134,250
- Median hourly wage: $64.54
- Total employment: 540 people (0.35 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
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Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
21 / 50#30. Physics teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $135,370
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 110 people (0.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Lucky Business // Shutterstock
22 / 50#29. Sociology teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $136,220
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 100 people (0.06 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Daniel Besic // Shutterstock
23 / 50#28. English language and literature teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $136,320
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 410 people (0.27 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Lucky Business // Shutterstock
24 / 50#27. Chemistry teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $136,670
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 230 people (0.15 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Ground Picture // Shutterstock
25 / 50#26. Recreation and fitness studies teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $136,970
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 140 people (0.09 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
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wavebreakmedia // Shutterstock
26 / 50#25. Psychologists, all other
- Median annual wage: $146,350
- Median hourly wage: $70.36
- Total employment: 240 people (0.16 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Stokkete // Shutterstock
27 / 50#24. Physician assistants
- Median annual wage: $153,530
- Median hourly wage: $73.81
- Total employment: 1,100 people (0.72 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
antoniodiaz // Shutterstock
28 / 50#23. Nurse midwives
- Median annual wage: $155,030
- Median hourly wage: $74.53
- Total employment: 80 people (0.05 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Krakenimages.com // Shutterstock
29 / 50#22. Education administrators, kindergarten through secondary
- Median annual wage: $156,670
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 2,490 people (1.62 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Zivica Kerkez // Shutterstock
30 / 50#21. Veterinarians
- Median annual wage: $158,260
- Median hourly wage: $76.09
- Total employment: 1,000 people (0.65 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
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Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
31 / 50#20. Computer science teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $161,010
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 330 people (0.21 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
32 / 50#19. Nurse practitioners
- Median annual wage: $162,030
- Median hourly wage: $77.90
- Total employment: 2,790 people (1.82 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Diego Cervo // Shutterstock
33 / 50#18. Criminal justice and law enforcement teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $162,810
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 120 people (0.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Drazen Zigic // Shutterstock
34 / 50#17. Pharmacists
- Median annual wage: $163,860
- Median hourly wage: $78.78
- Total employment: 2,820 people (1.84 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Nicola Forenza // Shutterstock
35 / 50#16. Lawyers
- Median annual wage: $165,000
- Median hourly wage: $79.33
- Total employment: 8,990 people (5.86 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
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Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
36 / 50#15. Biological science teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $165,530
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 570 people (0.37 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Prostock-studio // Shutterstock
37 / 50#14. Dentists, general
- Median annual wage: $176,970
- Median hourly wage: $85.08
- Total employment: 1,950 people (1.27 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Elnur // Shutterstock
38 / 50#13. Podiatrists
- Median annual wage: $187,010
- Median hourly wage: $89.91
- Total employment: 60 people (0.04 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Roman Zaiets // Shutterstock
39 / 50#12. Orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric
- Median annual wage: $215,010
- Median hourly wage: $103.37
- Total employment: 170 people (0.11 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Prostock-studio // Shutterstock
40 / 50#11. Dentists, all other specialists
- Median annual wage: $220,840
- Median hourly wage: $106.17
- Total employment: 50 people (0.03 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
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Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
41 / 50#1. Pediatricians, general (tie)
- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: Not available
LightField Studios // Shutterstock
42 / 50#1. Nurse anesthetists (tie)
- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: 100 people (0.06 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock
43 / 50#1. Family medicine physicians (tie)
- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: 1,770 people (1.16 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Tijana Simic // Shutterstock
44 / 50#1. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons (tie)
- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: Not available
Natee K Jindakum // Shutterstock
45 / 50#1. Physicians, pathologists (tie)
- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: 120 people (0.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
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Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
46 / 50#1. Obstetricians and gynecologists (tie)
- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: 170 people (0.11 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
LightField Studios // Shutterstock
47 / 50#1. Psychiatrists (tie)
- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: 280 people (0.18 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
wutzkohphoto // Shutterstock
48 / 50#1. Physicians, all other (tie)
- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: 2,190 people (1.43 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Photoroyalty // Shutterstock
49 / 50#1. Surgeons, all other (tie)
- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: Not available
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
50 / 50#1. Anesthesiologists (tie)
- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: 720 people (0.47 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Jill Jaracz, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 364 metros.
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