Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
1 / 50#50. Psychology teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $77,680
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 110 people (0.45 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Highest-paying jobs in Trenton 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 Trenton that require a graduate degree in Trenton. 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: Highest-paying jobs in Trenton that require a graduate degree
Prostock-studio // Shutterstock
2 / 50#49. Foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $77,690
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: Not available
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
3 / 50#48. Mathematical science teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $77,910
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: Not available
Drazen Zigic // Shutterstock
4 / 50#47. Communications teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $78,360
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: Not available
DGLimages // Shutterstock
5 / 50#46. Healthcare social workers
- Median annual wage: $79,010
- Median hourly wage: $37.98
- Total employment: 260 people (1.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: Highest-rated campgrounds in the Trenton area by visitors
Drazen Zigic // Shutterstock
6 / 50#45. Postsecondary teachers, all other
- Median annual wage: $79,290
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: Not available
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
7 / 50#44. Physics teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $79,760
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: Not available
Lucky Business // Shutterstock
8 / 50#43. Chemistry teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $80,680
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: Not available
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
9 / 50#42. Political science teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $81,690
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: Not available
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
10 / 50#41. Nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $83,470
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 70 people (0.28 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: How many homes are for sale in Trenton right now?
Petekub // Shutterstock
11 / 50#40. Economists
- Median annual wage: $83,990
- Median hourly wage: $40.38
- Total employment: 60 people (0.23 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
GaudiLab // Shutterstock
12 / 50#39. Librarians and media collections specialists
- Median annual wage: $84,200
- Median hourly wage: $40.48
- Total employment: 350 people (1.48 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Daxiao Productions // Shutterstock
13 / 50#38. Marriage and family therapists
- Median annual wage: $89,030
- Median hourly wage: $42.80
- Total employment: 350 people (1.48 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
14 / 50#37. Biological science teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $90,570
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: Not available
ABO PHOTOGRAPHY / Shutterstock
15 / 50#36. Speech-language pathologists
- Median annual wage: $91,280
- Median hourly wage: $43.89
- Total employment: 290 people (1.21 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: What salary do I need to afford a house in Trenton in 2026?
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
16 / 50#35. Computer science teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $94,500
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: Not available
ABO PHOTOGRAPHY // Shutterstock
17 / 50#34. Occupational therapists
- Median annual wage: $97,730
- Median hourly wage: $46.98
- Total employment: 190 people (0.81 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
GaudiLab // Shutterstock
18 / 50#33. Engineering teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $98,890
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: Not available
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
19 / 50#32. Epidemiologists
- Median annual wage: $98,980
- Median hourly wage: $47.59
- Total employment: 60 people (0.25 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Daniel Besic // Shutterstock
20 / 50#31. English language and literature teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $99,020
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: Not available
You may also like: Are home prices going down in Trenton in 2026?
Chad McDermott // Shutterstock
21 / 50#30. Urban and regional planners
- Median annual wage: $99,440
- Median hourly wage: $47.81
- Total employment: 60 people (0.24 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
22 / 50#29. Instructional coordinators
- Median annual wage: $100,160
- Median hourly wage: $48.15
- Total employment: 360 people (1.5 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Pressmaster // Shutterstock
23 / 50#28. Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $101,020
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: Not available
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
24 / 50#27. Area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $101,120
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: Not available
luchschenF // Shutterstock
25 / 50#26. Biochemists and biophysicists
- Median annual wage: $103,100
- Median hourly wage: $49.57
- Total employment: 440 people (1.85 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: People from these metros are looking to buy homes in Trenton
Matej Kastelic // Shutterstock
26 / 50#25. Business teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $103,530
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: Not available
Aykut Erdogdu // Shutterstock
27 / 50#24. Physical therapists
- Median annual wage: $103,830
- Median hourly wage: $49.92
- Total employment: 280 people (1.16 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Pheelings media // Shutterstock
28 / 50#23. Statisticians
- Median annual wage: $105,830
- Median hourly wage: $50.88
- Total employment: 30 people (0.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Dusan Petkovic // Shutterstock
29 / 50#22. Counselors, all other
- Median annual wage: $107,020
- Median hourly wage: $51.45
- Total employment: 150 people (0.64 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
BlurryMe // Shutterstock
30 / 50#21. Healthcare diagnosing or treating practitioners, all other
- Median annual wage: $113,860
- Median hourly wage: $54.74
- Total employment: 90 people (0.39 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: Trenton's 2025 housing market year in review
fizkes // Shutterstock
31 / 50#20. Clinical and counseling psychologists
- Median annual wage: $125,700
- Median hourly wage: $60.43
- Total employment: 140 people (0.59 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
ESB Professional // Shutterstock
32 / 50#19. Atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $126,040
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: Not available
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
33 / 50#18. Health specialties teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $126,920
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: Not available
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
34 / 50#17. Medical scientists, except epidemiologists
- Median annual wage: $126,990
- Median hourly wage: $61.05
- Total employment: 850 people (3.55 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Nicola Forenza // Shutterstock
35 / 50#16. Lawyers
- Median annual wage: $130,330
- Median hourly wage: $62.66
- Total employment: 2,100 people (8.77 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: Is it cheaper to buy or rent in Trenton in 2026?
Drazen Zigic // Shutterstock
36 / 50#15. Pharmacists
- Median annual wage: $134,170
- Median hourly wage: $64.50
- Total employment: 390 people (1.63 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Syda Productions // Shutterstock
37 / 50#14. Economics teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $135,020
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: Not available
Stokkete // Shutterstock
38 / 50#13. Physician assistants
- Median annual wage: $137,400
- Median hourly wage: $66.06
- Total employment: 110 people (0.45 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Krakenimages.com // Shutterstock
39 / 50#12. Education administrators, kindergarten through secondary
- Median annual wage: $137,710
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 580 people (2.43 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Zivica Kerkez // Shutterstock
40 / 50#11. Veterinarians
- Median annual wage: $139,430
- Median hourly wage: $67.04
- Total employment: 90 people (0.39 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: Highest-paying management jobs for people in Trenton
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
41 / 50#10. Nurse practitioners
- Median annual wage: $142,200
- Median hourly wage: $68.36
- Total employment: 450 people (1.86 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
42 / 50#9. Pediatricians, general
- Median annual wage: $143,760
- Median hourly wage: $69.12
- Total employment: Not available
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
43 / 50#8. Computer and information research scientists
- Median annual wage: $177,360
- Median hourly wage: $85.27
- Total employment: 90 people (0.37 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Ground Picture // Shutterstock
44 / 50#7. Survey researchers
- Median annual wage: $180,060
- Median hourly wage: $86.57
- Total employment: 40 people (0.15 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock
45 / 50#6. Family medicine physicians
- Median annual wage: $187,200
- Median hourly wage: $90.00
- Total employment: 190 people (0.8 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: The most expensive neighborhoods in Trenton
Sebastian Duda // Shutterstock
46 / 50#5. Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates
- Median annual wage: $200,150
- Median hourly wage: $96.23
- Total employment: 40 people (0.19 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Prostock-studio // Shutterstock
47 / 50#4. Dentists, general
- Median annual wage: $204,420
- Median hourly wage: $98.28
- Total employment: 140 people (0.57 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
48 / 50#1. Obstetricians and gynecologists (tie)
- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: 50 people (0.2 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
LightField Studios // Shutterstock
49 / 50#1. Psychiatrists (tie)
- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: 80 people (0.32 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
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: 230 people (0.96 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: How gas prices have changed in Trenton in the last week
