Highest-paying jobs in Rockford 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 Rockford that require a graduate degree in Rockford. 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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#29. Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors

- Median annual wage: $46,640
- Median hourly wage: $22.42
- Total employment: 530 people (3.83 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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#28. Education teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $50,200
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: Not available

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#27. Rehabilitation counselors

- Median annual wage: $50,950
- Median hourly wage: $24.50
- Total employment: 170 people (1.18 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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4 / 29

#26. Librarians and media collections specialists

- Median annual wage: $59,970
- Median hourly wage: $28.83
- Total employment: 80 people (0.58 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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5 / 29

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

- Median annual wage: $62,010
- Median hourly wage: $29.81
- Total employment: 250 people (1.82 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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6 / 29

#24. Healthcare social workers

- Median annual wage: $66,800
- Median hourly wage: $32.12
- Total employment: 200 people (1.41 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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7 / 29

#23. Clinical and counseling psychologists

- Median annual wage: $74,000
- Median hourly wage: $35.58
- Total employment: 40 people (0.29 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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8 / 29

#22. Instructional coordinators

- Median annual wage: $75,810
- Median hourly wage: $36.45
- Total employment: 180 people (1.31 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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9 / 29

#21. Nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $78,720
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 90 people (0.62 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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10 / 29

#20. Chiropractors

- Median annual wage: $79,550
- Median hourly wage: $38.25
- Total employment: 60 people (0.41 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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11 / 29

#19. Education administrators, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $79,710
- Median hourly wage: $38.32
- Total employment: Not available

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#18. School psychologists

- Median annual wage: $79,820
- Median hourly wage: $38.38
- Total employment: 80 people (0.57 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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13 / 29

#17. Urban and regional planners

- Median annual wage: $80,900
- Median hourly wage: $38.89
- Total employment: 50 people (0.38 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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14 / 29

#16. Medical scientists, except epidemiologists

- Median annual wage: $82,180
- Median hourly wage: $39.51
- Total employment: 80 people (0.58 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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#15. Healthcare diagnosing or treating practitioners, all other

- Median annual wage: $86,260
- Median hourly wage: $41.47
- Total employment: 40 people (0.27 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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16 / 29

#14. Speech-language pathologists

- Median annual wage: $89,530
- Median hourly wage: $43.05
- Total employment: 170 people (1.24 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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17 / 29

#13. Education administrators, kindergarten through secondary

- Median annual wage: $96,710
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 450 people (3.23 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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18 / 29

#12. Occupational therapists

- Median annual wage: $100,070
- Median hourly wage: $48.11
- Total employment: 130 people (0.91 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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19 / 29

#11. Physical therapists

- Median annual wage: $100,900
- Median hourly wage: $48.51
- Total employment: 280 people (2.04 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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20 / 29

#10. Lawyers

- Median annual wage: $101,210
- Median hourly wage: $48.66
- Total employment: 330 people (2.39 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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21 / 29

#9. Veterinarians

- Median annual wage: $127,690
- Median hourly wage: $61.39
- Total employment: 50 people (0.34 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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22 / 29

#8. Physician assistants

- Median annual wage: $127,980
- Median hourly wage: $61.53
- Total employment: 100 people (0.74 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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23 / 29

#7. Nurse practitioners

- Median annual wage: $130,130
- Median hourly wage: $62.56
- Total employment: 340 people (2.44 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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24 / 29

#6. Optometrists

- Median annual wage: $131,570
- Median hourly wage: $63.26
- Total employment: 40 people (0.26 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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25 / 29

#5. Pharmacists

- Median annual wage: $139,570
- Median hourly wage: $67.10
- Total employment: 260 people (1.84 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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26 / 29

#4. Dentists, general

- Median annual wage: $208,200
- Median hourly wage: $100.10
- Total employment: 100 people (0.75 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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27 / 29

#3. Family medicine physicians

- Median annual wage: $229,320
- Median hourly wage: $110.25
- Total employment: 30 people (0.23 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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28 / 29

#1. Radiologists (tie)

- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: 70 people (0.53 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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29 / 29

#1. Physicians, all other (tie)

- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: 520 people (3.71 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.