Highest-paying jobs in San Francisco that require a graduate degree

Earning top dollar typically requires more education than an undergraduate degree can provide. Doctors, lawyers, and professors need extra years of focused study for their chosen fields, but they're not alone. Graduate degrees in fields like business, teaching, and public health build specialized knowledge that can fast-track a career—and one's salary.

Many hiring managers view a master's degree as the equivalent of two years of work experience, giving graduate degree holders a leg up. In 2024, master's degree holders earned a weekly median of $1,840, a 19% premium over undergraduate degree holders. Doctorates earned $2,278, and professional degree holders earned $2,363.

Stacker used Bureau of Labor Statistics data to find the highest-paying jobs in San Francisco that require a graduate degree in San Francisco. 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.

Job security is another benefit. The unemployment rate for a master's degree holder is 2.2%, compared to 2.5% for undergraduate degree holders. Doctorates and professional degree holders' unemployment rate is close to 1%.

Employers believe a graduate degree showcases an employee's drive and commitment, but that comes at a price. Between 2000 and 2020, median annual tuition and fees for graduate degree programs increased by 233%. Unsurprisingly, median student debt has also increased, rising 47% to $50,000.

Depending on the career field, some prospective students may find it difficult to justify the expense. Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce found that full-time workers in STEM fields earned $128,000 annually, almost twice as much as their degreed counterparts in humanities and the arts. A graduate degree in humanities also only brought a 10% earnings premium over someone with a bachelor's degree.

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1 / 50

#50. Healthcare diagnosing or treating practitioners, all other

- Median annual wage: $128,710
- Median hourly wage: $61.88
- Total employment: 300 people (0.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

ABO PHOTOGRAPHY // Shutterstock

2 / 50

#49. Occupational therapists

- Median annual wage: $128,960
- Median hourly wage: $62.00
- Total employment: 1,510 people (0.63 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Chad McDermott // Shutterstock

3 / 50

#48. Urban and regional planners

- Median annual wage: $129,400
- Median hourly wage: $62.21
- Total employment: 1,290 people (0.54 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

I. Noyan Yilmaz // // Shutterstock

4 / 50

#47. Environmental science teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $129,610
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 90 people (0.04 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Ground Picture // Shutterstock

5 / 50

#46. Law teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $130,150
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 1,260 people (0.53 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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ABO PHOTOGRAPHY / Shutterstock

6 / 50

#45. Speech-language pathologists

- Median annual wage: $130,270
- Median hourly wage: $62.63
- Total employment: 1,930 people (0.8 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

SeventyFour // Shutterstock

7 / 50

#44. History teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $130,460
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 250 people (0.1 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

ESB Professional // Shutterstock

8 / 50

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

- Median annual wage: $130,810
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 240 people (0.1 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

9 / 50

#42. Political science teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $131,120
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 130 people (0.05 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock

10 / 50

#41. Audiologists

- Median annual wage: $131,540
- Median hourly wage: $63.24
- Total employment: 200 people (0.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Aodaodaodaod // Shutterstock

11 / 50

#40. Sociologists

- Median annual wage: $132,200
- Median hourly wage: $63.56
- Total employment: 150 people (0.06 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Petekub // Shutterstock

12 / 50

#39. Economists

- Median annual wage: $134,410
- Median hourly wage: $64.62
- Total employment: 440 people (0.18 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

13 / 50

#38. Mathematical science teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $134,670
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 690 people (0.29 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Lucky Business // Shutterstock

14 / 50

#37. Sociology teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $136,120
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 130 people (0.05 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Aykut Erdogdu // Shutterstock

15 / 50

#36. Physical therapists

- Median annual wage: $136,200
- Median hourly wage: $65.48
- Total employment: 3,170 people (1.32 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

16 / 50

#35. Anthropology and archeology teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $136,560
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 160 people (0.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

17 / 50

#34. Education administrators, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $137,490
- Median hourly wage: $66.10
- Total employment: 1,790 people (0.74 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

18 / 50

#33. Physics teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $138,210
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 220 people (0.09 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

19 / 50

#32. Biological science teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $139,280
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 750 people (0.31 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

luchschenF // Shutterstock

20 / 50

#31. Biochemists and biophysicists

- Median annual wage: $140,850
- Median hourly wage: $67.72
- Total employment: 1,940 people (0.81 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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Daniel Besic // Shutterstock

21 / 50

#30. English language and literature teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $142,150
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 730 people (0.3 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

22 / 50

#29. Medical scientists, except epidemiologists

- Median annual wage: $142,540
- Median hourly wage: $68.53
- Total employment: 6,870 people (2.86 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Krakenimages.com // Shutterstock

23 / 50

#28. Education administrators, kindergarten through secondary

- Median annual wage: $145,140
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 4,060 people (1.69 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Syda Productions // Shutterstock

24 / 50

#27. Economics teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $145,190
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 170 people (0.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Pheelings media // Shutterstock

25 / 50

#26. Statisticians

- Median annual wage: $149,400
- Median hourly wage: $71.83
- Total employment: 830 people (0.34 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock

26 / 50

#25. Genetic counselors

- Median annual wage: $149,850
- Median hourly wage: $72.04
- Total employment: 130 people (0.06 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Lucky Business // Shutterstock

27 / 50

#24. Chemistry teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $152,150
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 260 people (0.11 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

GaudiLab // Shutterstock

28 / 50

#23. Engineering teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $152,600
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 440 people (0.18 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Drazen Zigic // Shutterstock

29 / 50

#22. Communications teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $154,840
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 350 people (0.15 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Kzenon // Shutterstock

30 / 50

#21. Optometrists

- Median annual wage: $157,750
- Median hourly wage: $75.84
- Total employment: 980 people (0.41 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

fizkes // Shutterstock

31 / 50

#20. Clinical and counseling psychologists

- Median annual wage: $160,210
- Median hourly wage: $77.02
- Total employment: 2,220 people (0.93 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Diego Cervo // Shutterstock

32 / 50

#19. Criminal justice and law enforcement teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $163,770
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 130 people (0.06 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

33 / 50

#18. Computer science teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $163,920
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 410 people (0.17 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Stokkete // Shutterstock

34 / 50

#17. Physician assistants

- Median annual wage: $167,090
- Median hourly wage: $80.33
- Total employment: 1,980 people (0.82 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

35 / 50

#16. Computer and information research scientists

- Median annual wage: $168,820
- Median hourly wage: $81.16
- Total employment: 1,860 people (0.77 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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GagliardiPhotography // Shutterstock

36 / 50

#15. Geography teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $178,550
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 50 people (0.02 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Drazen Zigic // Shutterstock

37 / 50

#14. Pharmacists

- Median annual wage: $183,510
- Median hourly wage: $88.23
- Total employment: 4,230 people (1.76 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Zivica Kerkez // Shutterstock

38 / 50

#13. Veterinarians

- Median annual wage: $187,990
- Median hourly wage: $90.38
- Total employment: 1,220 people (0.51 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

antoniodiaz // Shutterstock

39 / 50

#12. Nurse midwives

- Median annual wage: $204,980
- Median hourly wage: $98.55
- Total employment: 200 people (0.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Prostock-studio // Shutterstock

40 / 50

#11. Dentists, general

- Median annual wage: $205,380
- Median hourly wage: $98.74
- Total employment: 1,680 people (0.7 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Elnur // Shutterstock

41 / 50

#10. Podiatrists

- Median annual wage: $211,750
- Median hourly wage: $101.80
- Total employment: 100 people (0.04 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Nicola Forenza // Shutterstock

42 / 50

#9. Lawyers

- Median annual wage: $215,090
- Median hourly wage: $103.41
- Total employment: 16,940 people (7.04 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

43 / 50

#8. Nurse practitioners

- Median annual wage: $220,330
- Median hourly wage: $105.93
- Total employment: 2,960 people (1.23 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Roman Zaiets // Shutterstock

44 / 50

#1. Orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric (tie)

- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: Not available

LightField Studios // Shutterstock

45 / 50

#1. Psychiatrists (tie)

- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: 510 people (0.21 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

4 PM production // Shutterstock

46 / 50

#1. Ophthalmologists, except pediatric (tie)

- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: 210 people (0.09 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock

47 / 50

#1. Family medicine physicians (tie)

- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: 3,080 people (1.28 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

48 / 50

#1. Pediatricians, general (tie)

- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: Not available

wutzkohphoto // Shutterstock

49 / 50

#1. Physicians, all other (tie)

- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: 2,340 people (0.97 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

BlurryMe // Shutterstock

50 / 50

#1. General internal medicine physicians (tie)

- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: Not available

This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Jill Jaracz, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 363 metros.

Highest-paying jobs in San Francisco that require a graduate degree

#50. Healthcare diagnosing or treating practitioners, all other

#49. Occupational therapists

#48. Urban and regional planners

#47. Environmental science teachers, postsecondary

#46. Law teachers, postsecondary

#45. Speech-language pathologists

#44. History teachers, postsecondary

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

#42. Political science teachers, postsecondary

#41. Audiologists

#40. Sociologists

#39. Economists

#38. Mathematical science teachers, postsecondary

#37. Sociology teachers, postsecondary

#36. Physical therapists

#35. Anthropology and archeology teachers, postsecondary

#34. Education administrators, postsecondary

#33. Physics teachers, postsecondary

#32. Biological science teachers, postsecondary

#31. Biochemists and biophysicists

#30. English language and literature teachers, postsecondary

#29. Medical scientists, except epidemiologists

#28. Education administrators, kindergarten through secondary

#27. Economics teachers, postsecondary

#26. Statisticians

#25. Genetic counselors

#24. Chemistry teachers, postsecondary

#23. Engineering teachers, postsecondary

#22. Communications teachers, postsecondary

#21. Optometrists

#20. Clinical and counseling psychologists

#19. Criminal justice and law enforcement teachers, postsecondary

#18. Computer science teachers, postsecondary

#17. Physician assistants

#16. Computer and information research scientists

#15. Geography teachers, postsecondary

#14. Pharmacists

#13. Veterinarians

#12. Nurse midwives

#11. Dentists, general

#10. Podiatrists

#9. Lawyers

#8. Nurse practitioners

#1. Orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric (tie)

#1. Psychiatrists (tie)

#1. Ophthalmologists, except pediatric (tie)

#1. Family medicine physicians (tie)

#1. Pediatricians, general (tie)

#1. Physicians, all other (tie)

#1. General internal medicine physicians (tie)

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