Daxiao Productions // Shutterstock
1 / 36#36. Marriage and family therapists
- Median annual wage: $48,000
- Median hourly wage: $23.08
- Total employment: 70 people (0.55 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Highest-paying jobs in Erie 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 Erie that require a graduate degree in Erie. 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: Cities with the most expensive homes in the Erie metro area
DGLimages // Shutterstock
2 / 36#35. Mental health and substance abuse social workers
- Median annual wage: $48,250
- Median hourly wage: $23.20
- Total employment: 50 people (0.46 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Rawpixel.com // Shutterstock
3 / 36#34. Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors
- Median annual wage: $49,160
- Median hourly wage: $23.63
- Total employment: 670 people (5.59 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
GaudiLab // Shutterstock
4 / 36#33. Librarians and media collections specialists
- Median annual wage: $49,500
- Median hourly wage: $23.80
- Total employment: 100 people (0.87 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
DenisProduction.com // Shutterstock
5 / 36#32. Athletic trainers
- Median annual wage: $51,040
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 50 people (0.38 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: The 30 most popular homes for sale in Erie
VH-studio // Shutterstock
6 / 36#31. Educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors
- Median annual wage: $56,070
- Median hourly wage: $26.96
- Total employment: 190 people (1.62 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
DGLimages // Shutterstock
7 / 36#30. Healthcare social workers
- Median annual wage: $59,120
- Median hourly wage: $28.42
- Total employment: 130 people (1.1 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Drazen Zigic // Shutterstock
8 / 36#29. Education teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $59,130
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 90 people (0.73 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Photographee.eu // Shutterstock
9 / 36#28. Rehabilitation counselors
- Median annual wage: $60,510
- Median hourly wage: $29.09
- Total employment: 80 people (0.63 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Dusan Petkovic // Shutterstock
10 / 36#27. Counselors, all other
- Median annual wage: $61,900
- Median hourly wage: $29.76
- Total employment: 40 people (0.37 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: What salary do I need to afford a house in Erie in 2026?
Daniel Besic // Shutterstock
11 / 36#26. English language and literature teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $63,310
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 70 people (0.56 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
12 / 36#25. Instructional coordinators
- Median annual wage: $63,870
- Median hourly wage: $30.71
- Total employment: 210 people (1.78 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Pressmaster // Shutterstock
13 / 36#24. Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $65,990
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 100 people (0.86 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
14 / 36#23. Psychology teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $71,150
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 50 people (0.46 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
KSai23 // Shutterstock
15 / 36#22. Chiropractors
- Median annual wage: $76,150
- Median hourly wage: $36.61
- Total employment: 40 people (0.37 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: Cheapest gas stations in Erie
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
16 / 36#21. Mathematical science teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $76,290
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 50 people (0.41 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
17 / 36#20. Biological science teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $76,930
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 60 people (0.47 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
wutzkohphoto // Shutterstock
18 / 36#19. Physicians, all other
- Median annual wage: $78,210
- Median hourly wage: $37.60
- Total employment: 510 people (4.26 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
19 / 36#18. Nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $82,420
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 90 people (0.77 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
ABO PHOTOGRAPHY / Shutterstock
20 / 36#17. Speech-language pathologists
- Median annual wage: $87,670
- Median hourly wage: $42.15
- Total employment: 140 people (1.17 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: How many homes are for sale in Erie right now?
ABO PHOTOGRAPHY // Shutterstock
21 / 36#16. Occupational therapists
- Median annual wage: $88,220
- Median hourly wage: $42.41
- Total employment: 160 people (1.35 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Aykut Erdogdu // Shutterstock
22 / 36#15. Physical therapists
- Median annual wage: $91,870
- Median hourly wage: $44.17
- Total employment: 230 people (1.93 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Krakenimages.com // Shutterstock
23 / 36#14. Education administrators, kindergarten through secondary
- Median annual wage: $93,620
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: Not available
fizkes // Shutterstock
24 / 36#13. Clinical and counseling psychologists
- Median annual wage: $94,680
- Median hourly wage: $45.52
- Total employment: 100 people (0.84 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
25 / 36#12. Education administrators, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $96,150
- Median hourly wage: $46.23
- Total employment: 120 people (1.01 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: Highest-paying management jobs in Erie
Matej Kastelic // Shutterstock
26 / 36#11. Business teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $97,500
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 100 people (0.81 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Nicola Forenza // Shutterstock
27 / 36#10. Lawyers
- Median annual wage: $104,300
- Median hourly wage: $50.15
- Total employment: 260 people (2.2 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
28 / 36#9. Health specialties teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $106,580
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 160 people (1.34 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Zivica Kerkez // Shutterstock
29 / 36#8. Veterinarians
- Median annual wage: $106,600
- Median hourly wage: $51.25
- Total employment: 70 people (0.57 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Stokkete // Shutterstock
30 / 36#7. Physician assistants
- Median annual wage: $112,720
- Median hourly wage: $54.19
- Total employment: 140 people (1.21 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: Erie 7-day weather forecast
Kzenon // Shutterstock
31 / 36#6. Optometrists
- Median annual wage: $119,990
- Median hourly wage: $57.69
- Total employment: 50 people (0.44 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
32 / 36#5. Nurse practitioners
- Median annual wage: $122,130
- Median hourly wage: $58.71
- Total employment: 240 people (2.01 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Drazen Zigic // Shutterstock
33 / 36#4. Pharmacists
- Median annual wage: $130,680
- Median hourly wage: $62.83
- Total employment: 250 people (2.05 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Prostock-studio // Shutterstock
34 / 36#3. Dentists, general
- Median annual wage: $186,060
- Median hourly wage: $89.45
- Total employment: 50 people (0.42 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
LightField Studios // Shutterstock
35 / 36#2. Nurse anesthetists
- Median annual wage: $204,690
- Median hourly wage: $98.41
- Total employment: 100 people (0.8 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: Coat drives near Erie
PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock
36 / 36#1. Family medicine physicians
- Median annual wage: $225,490
- Median hourly wage: $108.41
- Total employment: 100 people (0.8 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.
