Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
1 / 50#50. Social sciences teachers, postsecondary, all other
- Median annual wage: $63,580
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 100 people (0.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Highest-paying jobs in Tampa 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 Tampa that require a graduate degree in Tampa. 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 Tampa October 2025
Drazen Zigic // Shutterstock
2 / 50#49. Communications teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $64,090
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 140 people (0.1 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Drazen Zigic // Shutterstock
3 / 50#48. Education teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $64,310
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 210 people (0.15 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
DGLimages // Shutterstock
4 / 50#47. Healthcare social workers
- Median annual wage: $64,400
- Median hourly wage: $30.96
- Total employment: 1,280 people (0.88 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Daniel Besic // Shutterstock
5 / 50#46. English language and literature teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $66,690
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 550 people (0.38 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: Highest-rated Asian restaurants in Tampa by diners
Ground Picture // Shutterstock
6 / 50#45. Survey researchers
- Median annual wage: $71,470
- Median hourly wage: $34.36
- Total employment: 80 people (0.06 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Matej Kastelic // Shutterstock
7 / 50#44. Business teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $75,570
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 230 people (0.16 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Chad McDermott // Shutterstock
8 / 50#43. Urban and regional planners
- Median annual wage: $77,890
- Median hourly wage: $37.45
- Total employment: 390 people (0.27 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
9 / 50#42. Biological science teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $78,130
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 450 people (0.31 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
10 / 50#41. Epidemiologists
- Median annual wage: $78,370
- Median hourly wage: $37.68
- Total employment: 70 people (0.05 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: Best private high schools in the Tampa metro area
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
11 / 50#40. Psychology teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $78,430
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 270 people (0.18 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
KSai23 // Shutterstock
12 / 50#39. Chiropractors
- Median annual wage: $79,220
- Median hourly wage: $38.09
- Total employment: 460 people (0.32 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
13 / 50#38. Computer science teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $81,630
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 290 people (0.2 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
14 / 50#37. Nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $81,860
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 690 people (0.48 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
VH-studio // Shutterstock
15 / 50#36. School psychologists
- Median annual wage: $82,930
- Median hourly wage: $39.87
- Total employment: 410 people (0.28 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: Mortgage rates fall to 10‑month low, offering relief for Tampa buyers
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
16 / 50#35. Mathematical science teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $84,020
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 580 people (0.41 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
17 / 50#34. Education administrators, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $85,500
- Median hourly wage: $41.11
- Total employment: 1,370 people (0.95 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
fizkes // Shutterstock
18 / 50#33. Clinical and counseling psychologists
- Median annual wage: $85,890
- Median hourly wage: $41.30
- Total employment: Not available
Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock
19 / 50#32. Audiologists
- Median annual wage: $89,690
- Median hourly wage: $43.12
- Total employment: 130 people (0.09 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Krakenimages.com // Shutterstock
20 / 50#31. Education administrators, kindergarten through secondary
- Median annual wage: $94,650
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 1,940 people (1.35 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: Highest-paying management jobs for people in Tampa
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
21 / 50#30. Health specialties teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $96,830
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 950 people (0.66 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
ABO PHOTOGRAPHY / Shutterstock
22 / 50#29. Speech-language pathologists
- Median annual wage: $97,440
- Median hourly wage: $46.85
- Total employment: 1,440 people (1.0 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
ABO PHOTOGRAPHY // Shutterstock
23 / 50#28. Occupational therapists
- Median annual wage: $98,470
- Median hourly wage: $47.34
- Total employment: 1,610 people (1.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Aykut Erdogdu // Shutterstock
24 / 50#27. Physical therapists
- Median annual wage: $100,740
- Median hourly wage: $48.43
- Total employment: 2,460 people (1.71 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Petekub // Shutterstock
25 / 50#26. Economists
- Median annual wage: $101,270
- Median hourly wage: $48.69
- Total employment: 70 people (0.05 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: Cities with the fastest-growing home prices in the Tampa metro area
BlurryMe // Shutterstock
26 / 50#25. Healthcare diagnosing or treating practitioners, all other
- Median annual wage: $103,500
- Median hourly wage: $49.76
- Total employment: 270 people (0.19 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Worawee Meepian // Shutterstock
27 / 50#24. Administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers
- Median annual wage: $110,300
- Median hourly wage: $53.03
- Total employment: 220 people (0.15 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Stokkete // Shutterstock
28 / 50#23. Physician assistants
- Median annual wage: $114,990
- Median hourly wage: $55.28
- Total employment: 1,610 people (1.11 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Pheelings media // Shutterstock
29 / 50#22. Statisticians
- Median annual wage: $122,630
- Median hourly wage: $58.96
- Total employment: 130 people (0.09 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Nicola Forenza // Shutterstock
30 / 50#21. Lawyers
- Median annual wage: $126,780
- Median hourly wage: $60.95
- Total employment: 8,870 people (6.15 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: Highest-paying management jobs for people in Tampa
wavebreakmedia // Shutterstock
31 / 50#20. Psychologists, all other
- Median annual wage: $127,130
- Median hourly wage: $61.12
- Total employment: 280 people (0.2 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
32 / 50#19. Computer and information research scientists
- Median annual wage: $127,430
- Median hourly wage: $61.26
- Total employment: 150 people (0.11 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
33 / 50#18. Nurse practitioners
- Median annual wage: $128,430
- Median hourly wage: $61.75
- Total employment: 3,810 people (2.64 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Kzenon // Shutterstock
34 / 50#17. Optometrists
- Median annual wage: $131,310
- Median hourly wage: $63.13
- Total employment: 360 people (0.25 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Zivica Kerkez // Shutterstock
35 / 50#16. Veterinarians
- Median annual wage: $132,730
- Median hourly wage: $63.81
- Total employment: 940 people (0.65 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: Biggest sources of immigrants to Tampa
Drazen Zigic // Shutterstock
36 / 50#15. Pharmacists
- Median annual wage: $133,110
- Median hourly wage: $64.00
- Total employment: 3,370 people (2.33 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Prostock-studio // Shutterstock
37 / 50#14. Dentists, general
- Median annual wage: $153,930
- Median hourly wage: $74.01
- Total employment: 1,070 people (0.74 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Elnur // Shutterstock
38 / 50#13. Podiatrists
- Median annual wage: $161,290
- Median hourly wage: $77.54
- Total employment: 140 people (0.1 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
LightField Studios // Shutterstock
39 / 50#12. Nurse anesthetists
- Median annual wage: $197,660
- Median hourly wage: $95.03
- Total employment: 1,130 people (0.78 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Roman Zaiets // Shutterstock
40 / 50#1. Radiologists (tie)
- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: 150 people (0.1 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: Highest-rated brunch restaurants in Tampa
Djols // Shutterstock
41 / 50#1. Emergency medicine physicians (tie)
- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: Not available
PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock
42 / 50#1. Family medicine physicians (tie)
- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: 830 people (0.57 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
BlurryMe // Shutterstock
43 / 50#1. General internal medicine physicians (tie)
- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: 210 people (0.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Natee K Jindakum // Shutterstock
44 / 50#1. Physicians, pathologists (tie)
- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: 90 people (0.06 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Photoroyalty // Shutterstock
45 / 50#1. Surgeons, all other (tie)
- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: 200 people (0.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: Highest-paying jobs in Tampa that require a bachelor's degree
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
46 / 50#1. Anesthesiologists (tie)
- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: 530 people (0.36 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Komsan Loonprom // Shutterstock
47 / 50#1. Cardiologists (tie)
- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: 70 people (0.05 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Roman Zaiets // Shutterstock
48 / 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
Dmytro Zinkevych // Shutterstock
49 / 50#1. Dermatologists (tie)
- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: Not available
wutzkohphoto // Shutterstock
50 / 50#1. Physicians, all other (tie)
- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: 4,820 people (3.34 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.
You may also like: The most expensive homes sold in Tampa this year
