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1 / 50#50. Biochemists and biophysicists
- Median annual wage: $99,220
- Median hourly wage: $47.70
- Total employment: 160 people (0.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Highest-paying jobs in Baltimore 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 Baltimore that require a graduate degree in Baltimore. 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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2 / 50#49. Occupational therapists
- Median annual wage: $99,360
- Median hourly wage: $47.77
- Total employment: 1,460 people (1.09 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Drazen Zigic // Shutterstock
3 / 50#48. Postsecondary teachers, all other
- Median annual wage: $100,100
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 2,050 people (1.53 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
4 / 50#47. Psychology teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $100,570
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 400 people (0.3 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Lucky Business // Shutterstock
5 / 50#46. Sociology teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $100,600
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 110 people (0.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
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6 / 50#45. Chemistry teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $101,140
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 170 people (0.13 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Diego Cervo // Shutterstock
7 / 50#44. Criminal justice and law enforcement teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $102,000
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 120 people (0.09 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Matej Kastelic // Shutterstock
8 / 50#43. Business teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $102,800
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 1,340 people (1.0 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
9 / 50#42. Computer science teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $102,850
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 370 people (0.27 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
GaudiLab // Shutterstock
10 / 50#41. Engineering teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $103,320
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: Not available
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Aykut Erdogdu // Shutterstock
11 / 50#40. Physical therapists
- Median annual wage: $103,440
- Median hourly wage: $49.73
- Total employment: 2,220 people (1.66 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
VH-studio // Shutterstock
12 / 50#39. School psychologists
- Median annual wage: $104,890
- Median hourly wage: $50.43
- Total employment: 840 people (0.62 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
fizkes // Shutterstock
13 / 50#38. Clinical and counseling psychologists
- Median annual wage: $104,960
- Median hourly wage: $50.46
- Total employment: 860 people (0.64 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Pheelings media // Shutterstock
14 / 50#37. Statisticians
- Median annual wage: $105,810
- Median hourly wage: $50.87
- Total employment: 500 people (0.38 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
15 / 50#36. Education administrators, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $106,750
- Median hourly wage: $51.32
- Total employment: Not available
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Syda Productions // Shutterstock
16 / 50#35. Economics teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $123,520
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 110 people (0.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Worawee Meepian // Shutterstock
17 / 50#34. Administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers
- Median annual wage: $124,730
- Median hourly wage: $59.96
- Total employment: 260 people (0.19 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Petekub // Shutterstock
18 / 50#33. Economists
- Median annual wage: $125,630
- Median hourly wage: $60.40
- Total employment: 200 people (0.15 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
antoniodiaz // Shutterstock
19 / 50#32. Nurse midwives
- Median annual wage: $126,000
- Median hourly wage: $60.58
- Total employment: 170 people (0.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Krakenimages.com // Shutterstock
20 / 50#31. Education administrators, kindergarten through secondary
- Median annual wage: $126,320
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 3,290 people (2.46 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
21 / 50#30. Nurse practitioners
- Median annual wage: $127,040
- Median hourly wage: $61.08
- Total employment: 3,670 people (2.74 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
BlurryMe // Shutterstock
22 / 50#29. Healthcare diagnosing or treating practitioners, all other
- Median annual wage: $128,940
- Median hourly wage: $61.99
- Total employment: 540 people (0.4 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
23 / 50#28. Health specialties teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $130,580
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: Not available
wavebreakmedia // Shutterstock
24 / 50#27. Psychologists, all other
- Median annual wage: $132,060
- Median hourly wage: $63.49
- Total employment: 270 people (0.2 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Stokkete // Shutterstock
25 / 50#26. Physician assistants
- Median annual wage: $134,100
- Median hourly wage: $64.47
- Total employment: 1,710 people (1.27 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
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26 / 50#25. Law teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $134,320
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 160 people (0.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
ESB Professional // Shutterstock
27 / 50#24. Atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $135,450
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 50 people (0.04 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Drazen Zigic // Shutterstock
28 / 50#23. Pharmacists
- Median annual wage: $135,550
- Median hourly wage: $65.17
- Total employment: 2,960 people (2.21 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Nicola Forenza // Shutterstock
29 / 50#22. Lawyers
- Median annual wage: $139,380
- Median hourly wage: $67.01
- Total employment: 8,450 people (6.3 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
30 / 50#21. Computer and information research scientists
- Median annual wage: $152,780
- Median hourly wage: $73.45
- Total employment: 1,040 people (0.77 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
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Kzenon // Shutterstock
31 / 50#20. Optometrists
- Median annual wage: $156,610
- Median hourly wage: $75.29
- Total employment: 430 people (0.32 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
luchschenF // Shutterstock
32 / 50#19. Physicists
- Median annual wage: $162,490
- Median hourly wage: $78.12
- Total employment: 480 people (0.36 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Sebastian Duda // Shutterstock
33 / 50#18. Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates
- Median annual wage: $181,320
- Median hourly wage: $87.17
- Total employment: 200 people (0.15 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Prostock-studio // Shutterstock
34 / 50#17. Dentists, general
- Median annual wage: $186,530
- Median hourly wage: $89.68
- Total employment: 1,090 people (0.81 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
35 / 50#16. Pediatricians, general
- Median annual wage: $187,190
- Median hourly wage: $90.00
- Total employment: 280 people (0.21 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
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LightField Studios // Shutterstock
36 / 50#15. Nurse anesthetists
- Median annual wage: $209,340
- Median hourly wage: $100.64
- Total employment: 420 people (0.31 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
4 PM production // Shutterstock
37 / 50#14. Ophthalmologists, except pediatric
- Median annual wage: $213,490
- Median hourly wage: $102.64
- Total employment: Not available
Elnur // Shutterstock
38 / 50#13. Podiatrists
- Median annual wage: $218,390
- Median hourly wage: $104.99
- Total employment: 130 people (0.1 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
wutzkohphoto // Shutterstock
39 / 50#12. Physicians, all other
- Median annual wage: $226,570
- Median hourly wage: $108.93
- Total employment: 3,420 people (2.55 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Prostock-studio // Shutterstock
40 / 50#1. Orthodontists (tie)
- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: Not available
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create jobs 51 // Shutterstock
41 / 50#1. Neurologists (tie)
- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: 60 people (0.04 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
42 / 50#1. Obstetricians and gynecologists (tie)
- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: 130 people (0.09 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Natee K Jindakum // Shutterstock
43 / 50#1. Physicians, pathologists (tie)
- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: 30 people (0.02 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Djols // Shutterstock
44 / 50#1. Emergency medicine physicians (tie)
- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: 530 people (0.4 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
LightField Studios // Shutterstock
45 / 50#1. Psychiatrists (tie)
- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: 340 people (0.25 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
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BlurryMe // Shutterstock
46 / 50#1. General internal medicine physicians (tie)
- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: 2,570 people (1.92 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Roman Zaiets // Shutterstock
47 / 50#1. Orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric (tie)
- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: 50 people (0.04 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Photoroyalty // Shutterstock
48 / 50#1. Surgeons, all other (tie)
- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: Not available
PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock
49 / 50#1. Family medicine physicians (tie)
- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: 630 people (0.47 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
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: 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.
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