Photographee.eu // Shutterstock
1 / 30#30. Rehabilitation counselors
- Median annual wage: $44,560
- Median hourly wage: $21.42
- Total employment: 40 people (0.34 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Highest-paying jobs in Kingsport 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 Kingsport that require a graduate degree in Kingsport. 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.
You may also like: Mortgage rates fall to 10‑month low, offering relief for Kingsport buyers
DGLimages // Shutterstock
2 / 30#29. Mental health and substance abuse social workers
- Median annual wage: $48,500
- Median hourly wage: $23.32
- Total employment: 70 people (0.62 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Daxiao Productions // Shutterstock
3 / 30#28. Marriage and family therapists
- Median annual wage: $49,460
- Median hourly wage: $23.78
- Total employment: 50 people (0.38 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Rawpixel.com // Shutterstock
4 / 30#27. Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors
- Median annual wage: $49,610
- Median hourly wage: $23.85
- Total employment: 280 people (2.39 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
DGLimages // Shutterstock
5 / 30#26. Healthcare social workers
- Median annual wage: $55,580
- Median hourly wage: $26.72
- Total employment: 110 people (0.95 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: The most expensive homes sold in Kingsport this year
GaudiLab // Shutterstock
6 / 30#25. Librarians and media collections specialists
- Median annual wage: $57,290
- Median hourly wage: $27.55
- Total employment: 140 people (1.17 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
VH-studio // Shutterstock
7 / 30#24. Educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors
- Median annual wage: $58,940
- Median hourly wage: $28.34
- Total employment: 200 people (1.68 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
8 / 30#23. Instructional coordinators
- Median annual wage: $61,790
- Median hourly wage: $29.71
- Total employment: 100 people (0.85 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Drazen Zigic // Shutterstock
9 / 30#22. Postsecondary teachers, all other
- Median annual wage: $62,670
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 30 people (0.29 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Daniel Besic // Shutterstock
10 / 30#21. English language and literature teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $63,300
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 40 people (0.36 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: Highest-rated Asian restaurants in Kingsport by diners
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
11 / 30#20. Mathematical science teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $64,290
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 40 people (0.32 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
12 / 30#19. Biological science teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $64,860
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 30 people (0.29 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
13 / 30#18. Health specialties teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $67,040
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 30 people (0.28 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
ABO PHOTOGRAPHY / Shutterstock
14 / 30#17. Speech-language pathologists
- Median annual wage: $78,430
- Median hourly wage: $37.71
- Total employment: 140 people (1.18 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Krakenimages.com // Shutterstock
15 / 30#16. Education administrators, kindergarten through secondary
- Median annual wage: $84,390
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 200 people (1.67 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: How long does it take to sell a house in Kingsport in 2026?
ABO PHOTOGRAPHY // Shutterstock
16 / 30#15. Occupational therapists
- Median annual wage: $91,410
- Median hourly wage: $43.95
- Total employment: 100 people (0.87 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Aykut Erdogdu // Shutterstock
17 / 30#14. Physical therapists
- Median annual wage: $93,250
- Median hourly wage: $44.83
- Total employment: 200 people (1.73 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Nicola Forenza // Shutterstock
18 / 30#13. Lawyers
- Median annual wage: $101,310
- Median hourly wage: $48.71
- Total employment: 290 people (2.44 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
19 / 30#12. Education administrators, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $101,340
- Median hourly wage: $48.72
- Total employment: 50 people (0.46 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Sebastian Duda // Shutterstock
20 / 30#11. Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates
- Median annual wage: $104,000
- Median hourly wage: $50.00
- Total employment: 40 people (0.35 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: The highest-value homes in Kingsport
Zivica Kerkez // Shutterstock
21 / 30#10. Veterinarians
- Median annual wage: $104,610
- Median hourly wage: $50.30
- Total employment: 60 people (0.52 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
22 / 30#9. Nurse practitioners
- Median annual wage: $108,850
- Median hourly wage: $52.33
- Total employment: 500 people (4.22 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Stokkete // Shutterstock
23 / 30#8. Physician assistants
- Median annual wage: $123,190
- Median hourly wage: $59.23
- Total employment: 160 people (1.38 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Drazen Zigic // Shutterstock
24 / 30#7. Pharmacists
- Median annual wage: $126,600
- Median hourly wage: $60.87
- Total employment: 320 people (2.72 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Kzenon // Shutterstock
25 / 30#6. Optometrists
- Median annual wage: $134,760
- Median hourly wage: $64.79
- Total employment: 50 people (0.41 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: Highest-paying computer and engineering jobs in Kingsport
Prostock-studio // Shutterstock
26 / 30#5. Dentists, general
- Median annual wage: $167,720
- Median hourly wage: $80.63
- Total employment: 60 people (0.48 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
LightField Studios // Shutterstock
27 / 30#4. Nurse anesthetists
- Median annual wage: $204,600
- Median hourly wage: $98.37
- Total employment: 90 people (0.8 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
wutzkohphoto // Shutterstock
28 / 30#3. Physicians, all other
- Median annual wage: $236,970
- Median hourly wage: $113.93
- Total employment: 160 people (1.35 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Komsan Loonprom // Shutterstock
29 / 30#1. Cardiologists (tie)
- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: 50 people (0.43 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock
30 / 30#1. Family medicine physicians (tie)
- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: 190 people (1.58 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 363 metros.
You may also like: Highest-paying jobs in Kingsport
