Highest-paying jobs in Pensacola 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 Pensacola that require a graduate degree in Pensacola. 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.

You may also like: Car insurance rates in Pensacola October 2025

Photographee.eu // Shutterstock

1 / 25

#25. Rehabilitation counselors

- Median annual wage: $48,800
- Median hourly wage: $23.46
- Total employment: 80 people (0.45 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

DGLimages // Shutterstock

2 / 25

#24. Mental health and substance abuse social workers

- Median annual wage: $49,010
- Median hourly wage: $23.56
- Total employment: 100 people (0.51 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Rawpixel.com // Shutterstock

3 / 25

#23. Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors

- Median annual wage: $50,430
- Median hourly wage: $24.25
- Total employment: 510 people (2.69 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

VH-studio // Shutterstock

4 / 25

#22. Educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors

- Median annual wage: $54,070
- Median hourly wage: $25.99
- Total employment: 480 people (2.54 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

GaudiLab // Shutterstock

5 / 25

#21. Librarians and media collections specialists

- Median annual wage: $55,110
- Median hourly wage: $26.50
- Total employment: 160 people (0.87 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

You may also like: The highest-value homes in Pensacola

DGLimages // Shutterstock

6 / 25

#19. Healthcare social workers (tie)

- Median annual wage: $62,550
- Median hourly wage: $30.07
- Total employment: 220 people (1.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

7 / 25

#19. Instructional coordinators (tie)

- Median annual wage: $62,550
- Median hourly wage: $30.07
- Total employment: 360 people (1.89 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Chad McDermott // Shutterstock

8 / 25

#18. Urban and regional planners

- Median annual wage: $72,990
- Median hourly wage: $35.09
- Total employment: 60 people (0.3 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

KSai23 // Shutterstock

9 / 25

#17. Chiropractors

- Median annual wage: $77,560
- Median hourly wage: $37.29
- Total employment: 80 people (0.43 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Krakenimages.com // Shutterstock

10 / 25

#16. Education administrators, kindergarten through secondary

- Median annual wage: $82,160
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 330 people (1.76 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

You may also like: Highest-rated cheap eats in Pensacola by diners

wavebreakmedia // Shutterstock

11 / 25

#15. Psychologists, all other

- Median annual wage: $82,480
- Median hourly wage: $39.65
- Total employment: Not available

fizkes // Shutterstock

12 / 25

#14. Clinical and counseling psychologists

- Median annual wage: $91,520
- Median hourly wage: $44.00
- Total employment: 30 people (0.18 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

ABO PHOTOGRAPHY / Shutterstock

13 / 25

#13. Speech-language pathologists

- Median annual wage: $93,300
- Median hourly wage: $44.86
- Total employment: 220 people (1.19 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

ABO PHOTOGRAPHY // Shutterstock

14 / 25

#12. Occupational therapists

- Median annual wage: $94,850
- Median hourly wage: $45.60
- Total employment: 220 people (1.18 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Aykut Erdogdu // Shutterstock

15 / 25

#11. Physical therapists

- Median annual wage: $96,720
- Median hourly wage: $46.50
- Total employment: 330 people (1.75 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Kzenon // Shutterstock

16 / 25

#10. Optometrists

- Median annual wage: $122,370
- Median hourly wage: $58.83
- Total employment: 50 people (0.27 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Stokkete // Shutterstock

17 / 25

#9. Physician assistants

- Median annual wage: $122,530
- Median hourly wage: $58.91
- Total employment: 220 people (1.18 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

18 / 25

#8. Nurse practitioners

- Median annual wage: $124,760
- Median hourly wage: $59.98
- Total employment: 440 people (2.33 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Nicola Forenza // Shutterstock

19 / 25

#7. Lawyers

- Median annual wage: $124,850
- Median hourly wage: $60.02
- Total employment: 870 people (4.62 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Zivica Kerkez // Shutterstock

20 / 25

#6. Veterinarians

- Median annual wage: $128,070
- Median hourly wage: $61.57
- Total employment: 140 people (0.77 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Drazen Zigic // Shutterstock

21 / 25

#5. Pharmacists

- Median annual wage: $140,380
- Median hourly wage: $67.49
- Total employment: 410 people (2.18 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Prostock-studio // Shutterstock

22 / 25

#4. Dentists, general

- Median annual wage: $158,860
- Median hourly wage: $76.38
- Total employment: 180 people (0.97 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

LightField Studios // Shutterstock

23 / 25

#3. Nurse anesthetists

- Median annual wage: $179,590
- Median hourly wage: $86.34
- Total employment: 70 people (0.4 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

BlurryMe // Shutterstock

24 / 25

#1. General internal medicine physicians (tie)

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

wutzkohphoto // Shutterstock

25 / 25

#1. Physicians, all other (tie)

- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: 350 people (1.83 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.