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1 / 50#50. Orthotists and prosthetists
- Median annual wage: $82,320
- Median hourly wage: $39.58
- Total employment: 70 people (0.06 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Highest-paying jobs in San Antonio 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 San Antonio that require a graduate degree in San Antonio. 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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2 / 50#49. Psychology teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $82,620
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 250 people (0.23 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Krakenimages.com // Shutterstock
3 / 50#48. Education administrators, kindergarten through secondary
- Median annual wage: $82,750
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 3,490 people (3.13 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Lucky Business // Shutterstock
4 / 50#47. Chemistry teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $84,180
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 150 people (0.13 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Pressmaster // Shutterstock
5 / 50#46. Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $84,590
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 420 people (0.37 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
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6 / 50#45. Epidemiologists
- Median annual wage: $85,640
- Median hourly wage: $41.17
- Total employment: 90 people (0.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
7 / 50#44. Computer and information research scientists
- Median annual wage: $87,120
- Median hourly wage: $41.88
- Total employment: Not available
ABO PHOTOGRAPHY / Shutterstock
8 / 50#43. Speech-language pathologists
- Median annual wage: $89,450
- Median hourly wage: $43.00
- Total employment: 1,600 people (1.43 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
9 / 50#42. Mathematical science teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $92,830
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 360 people (0.33 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
SeventyFour // Shutterstock
10 / 50#41. History teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $94,730
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 190 people (0.17 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
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Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
11 / 50#40. Biological science teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $94,910
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 340 people (0.31 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
12 / 50#39. Physics teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $95,040
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 90 people (0.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
KSai23 // Shutterstock
13 / 50#38. Chiropractors
- Median annual wage: $95,470
- Median hourly wage: $45.90
- Total employment: 200 people (0.18 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Kzenon // Shutterstock
14 / 50#37. Optometrists
- Median annual wage: $95,560
- Median hourly wage: $45.94
- Total employment: 450 people (0.41 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Lucky Business // Shutterstock
15 / 50#36. Sociology teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $95,830
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 100 people (0.09 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
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16 / 50#35. Social sciences teachers, postsecondary, all other
- Median annual wage: $96,050
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 140 people (0.13 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
17 / 50#34. Architecture teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $96,090
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 90 people (0.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Pheelings media // Shutterstock
18 / 50#33. Statisticians
- Median annual wage: $97,990
- Median hourly wage: $47.11
- Total employment: 100 people (0.09 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
19 / 50#32. Computer science teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $99,590
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 270 people (0.24 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
ABO PHOTOGRAPHY // Shutterstock
20 / 50#31. Occupational therapists
- Median annual wage: $100,740
- Median hourly wage: $48.43
- Total employment: 920 people (0.82 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
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Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
21 / 50#30. Education administrators, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $101,670
- Median hourly wage: $48.88
- Total employment: 1,190 people (1.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
ESB Professional // Shutterstock
22 / 50#29. Atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $102,520
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 40 people (0.04 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Petekub // Shutterstock
23 / 50#28. Economists
- Median annual wage: $102,840
- Median hourly wage: $49.44
- Total employment: 60 people (0.06 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Aykut Erdogdu // Shutterstock
24 / 50#27. Physical therapists
- Median annual wage: $102,900
- Median hourly wage: $49.47
- Total employment: 1,850 people (1.66 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
25 / 50#26. Political science teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $104,760
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 160 people (0.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
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Matej Kastelic // Shutterstock
26 / 50#25. Business teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $104,900
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 560 people (0.5 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Daniel Besic // Shutterstock
27 / 50#24. English language and literature teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $107,690
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 360 people (0.32 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
BlurryMe // Shutterstock
28 / 50#23. Healthcare diagnosing or treating practitioners, all other
- Median annual wage: $108,370
- Median hourly wage: $52.10
- Total employment: 260 people (0.23 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Syda Productions // Shutterstock
29 / 50#22. Economics teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $108,900
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 60 people (0.06 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Prostock-studio // Shutterstock
30 / 50#21. Dentists, general
- Median annual wage: $111,560
- Median hourly wage: $53.64
- Total employment: 830 people (0.75 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
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31 / 50#20. Psychologists, all other
- Median annual wage: $115,360
- Median hourly wage: $55.46
- Total employment: 260 people (0.24 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Sebastian Duda // Shutterstock
32 / 50#19. Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates
- Median annual wage: $116,080
- Median hourly wage: $55.81
- Total employment: 170 people (0.15 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
GaudiLab // Shutterstock
33 / 50#18. Engineering teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $116,730
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 250 people (0.23 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Worawee Meepian // Shutterstock
34 / 50#17. Administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers
- Median annual wage: $118,870
- Median hourly wage: $57.15
- Total employment: 70 people (0.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock
35 / 50#16. Audiologists
- Median annual wage: $120,720
- Median hourly wage: $58.04
- Total employment: 70 people (0.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
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36 / 50#15. Veterinarians
- Median annual wage: $125,020
- Median hourly wage: $60.11
- Total employment: 510 people (0.46 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
37 / 50#14. Nurse practitioners
- Median annual wage: $125,530
- Median hourly wage: $60.35
- Total employment: 1,830 people (1.64 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
38 / 50#13. Health specialties teachers, postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $134,840
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 2,230 people (2.0 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Nicola Forenza // Shutterstock
39 / 50#12. Lawyers
- Median annual wage: $134,890
- Median hourly wage: $64.85
- Total employment: 4,060 people (3.64 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Stokkete // Shutterstock
40 / 50#11. Physician assistants
- Median annual wage: $135,120
- Median hourly wage: $64.96
- Total employment: 850 people (0.76 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
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Drazen Zigic // Shutterstock
41 / 50#10. Pharmacists
- Median annual wage: $146,380
- Median hourly wage: $70.37
- Total employment: 1,920 people (1.72 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
indukas // Shutterstock
42 / 50#9. Physicists
- Median annual wage: $170,130
- Median hourly wage: $81.79
- Total employment: 140 people (0.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
43 / 50#8. Pediatricians, general
- Median annual wage: $200,830
- Median hourly wage: $96.55
- Total employment: 140 people (0.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Prostock-studio // Shutterstock
44 / 50#7. Dentists, all other specialists
- Median annual wage: $220,270
- Median hourly wage: $105.90
- Total employment: 70 people (0.06 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock
45 / 50#6. Family medicine physicians
- Median annual wage: $225,650
- Median hourly wage: $108.49
- Total employment: 700 people (0.62 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
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Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
46 / 50#1. Obstetricians and gynecologists (tie)
- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: Not available
Roman Zaiets // Shutterstock
47 / 50#1. Radiologists (tie)
- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: 150 people (0.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
wutzkohphoto // Shutterstock
48 / 50#1. Physicians, all other (tie)
- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: 2,850 people (2.56 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
BlurryMe // Shutterstock
49 / 50#1. General internal medicine physicians (tie)
- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: 280 people (0.25 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
4 PM production // Shutterstock
50 / 50#1. Ophthalmologists, except pediatric (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 364 metros.
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