Careers that need an advanced degree
Seven hundred and thirty-one careers where a graduate or doctoral credential is the standard entry path, careers where a master's, doctoral or professional credential is the standard entry path, including medicine, law, academic research and senior specialist roles. Each card below carries the typical preparation path, the salary range from entry to senior level, and a short read on what the work actually involves day to day.
731 careers in Careers that need an advanced degree
Academic Researcher
Doctoral or Professional Degree · $70,000
Investigates complex phenomena and tests hypotheses through rigorous data collection and analysis. Publishes findings…
Academic Researcher (Neuroscience)
Doctoral or Professional Degree · $90,000 - $120,000
Conducts advanced scientific research in neuroscience, designing experiments, analyzing data, publishing findings, and…
Accounting Firm Managing Partner
Bachelor's degree (CPA required; MBA common) · $400,000
Leads an accounting firm, overseeing audit, tax, and advisory practices, managing partner relations, regulatory…
Acupuncturists
Master's Degree · $78,140
Diagnose, treat, and prevent disorders by stimulating specific acupuncture points within the body using acupuncture…
Adapted Physical Education Specialists
Bachelor's Degree · $63,620
Provide individualized physical education instruction or services to children, youth, or adults with exceptional…
Administrative Law Judge
Doctoral or Professional Degree · $130,000
Presides over hearings, issues subpoenas, and makes decisions on cases involving government agencies and private…
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers
Doctoral Degree · $115,230
Conduct hearings to recommend or make decisions on claims concerning government programs or other government-related…
Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses
Master's Degree · $92,120
Assess, diagnose, and treat individuals and families with mental health or substance use disorders or the potential for…
Advocacy / Policy Organization Director
Bachelor's degree (JD/MPA/MPP common) · $160,000
Leads a policy advocacy organization, directing campaigns, lobbying efforts, public education, and coalition building…
Agentic AI Portfolio Manager
Bachelor's Degree · $165,000
Oversee a portfolio of autonomous AI agent deployments across business functions, managing their performance, safety…
Agricultural Extension Agent
Master's Degree · $100,000
Instruct and advise individuals and families engaged in agriculture, agricultural-related processes, or home management…
Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
Doctoral Degree · $86,350
Teach courses in the agricultural sciences. Includes teachers of agronomy, dairy sciences, fisheries management,…
AI & Workforce Transformation Specialist
Master's Degree · $140,000
Lead the organization's response to AI-driven workforce transformation by assessing the impact of AI and automation on…
AI Engineer
Master's in Computer Science, AI/ML, or related field · $155,000
Builds and deploys artificial intelligence systems, integrating machine learning models into production applications…
AI Ethicist
Master's Degree · $125,000
Develops and implements ethical guidelines for artificial intelligence systems, ensuring fair, transparent, and…
AI Ethicist and Policy Advisor
Master's Degree · $130,000
Evaluate the ethical implications of AI systems and advise organisations, governments, and regulators on responsible AI…
AI Ethics Manager
Bachelor's Degree · $140,000
Manage an organisation's AI ethics programme, overseeing the development and implementation of responsible AI policies,…
AI Ethics Officer
Master's or Doctoral Degree · $74,180
Ensures that AI systems are developed and deployed in an ethical, unbiased, transparent, and legally compliant manner.
AI Infrastructure Engineer
Bachelor's degree (MS common) · $210,000
Designs and builds the infrastructure that powers AI/ML workloads at scale, including GPU clusters, distributed…
AI Research Scientist
Doctoral or Professional Degree · $160,000
Conducts cutting-edge research to advance the field of artificial intelligence, developing novel algorithms and models.…
AI Solutions Consultant
Master's degree in CS/Data Science/AI · $170,000
Advises enterprise clients on AI/ML adoption strategy, identifies use cases, designs AI solutions, and manages…
AI/ML Product Manager
Bachelor's degree in CS/Data Science (MS preferred) · $185,000
Manages the product lifecycle for AI/ML-powered features and products, bridging data science, engineering, and business…
Airline Pilot
Bachelor's degree · $160,000
Operate multi-engine aircraft to transport passengers and cargo on scheduled flights. Responsible for pre-flight…
Airport / Port Authority CEO
Bachelor's degree (MBA/MPA/Engineering common) · $250,000
Leads an airport, seaport, or transportation authority, overseeing operations, capital projects, tenant relations,…
Algorithmic / Systematic Trader
Master's or PhD in Math, Physics, CS, or Financial Engineering · $175,000
Develops and deploys quantitative trading strategies using statistical models and algorithms, optimizing execution…
Allergists and Immunologists
Post-Doctoral Training · $78,140
Diagnose, treat, and help prevent allergic diseases and disease processes affecting the immune system.
Anesthesiologist Assistants
Master's Degree · $79,000
Assist anesthesiologists in the administration of anesthesia for surgical and non-surgical procedures. Monitor patient…
Anesthesiologists
Post-Doctoral Training · $90,895
Administer anesthetics and analgesics for pain management prior to, during, or after surgery.
Angel Investor
Bachelor's Degree · Highly variable, depends on investment success and portfolio exits.
Provides capital for startups or entrepreneurs, usually in exchange for convertible debt or ownership equity. Offers…
Animal Scientists
Doctoral Degree · $79,120
Conduct research in the genetics, nutrition, reproduction, growth, and development of domestic farm animals.
Anthropologists and Archeologists
Doctoral Degree · $64,910
Study the origin, development, and behavior of human beings. May study the way of life, language, or physical…
Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary
Doctoral Degree · $95,770
Teach courses in anthropology or archeology. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a…
Arbitrator
Doctoral or Professional Degree · $120,000
Arbitrators facilitate out-of-court settlements by hearing evidence and arguments from disputing parties, then…
Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators
Professional Degree (JD, MD) · $67,710
Facilitate negotiation and conflict resolution through dialogue. Resolve conflicts outside of the court system by…
Architects, Except Landscape and Naval
Bachelor's Degree · $96,690
Plan and design structures, such as private residences, office buildings, theaters, factories, and other structural…
Architectural and Engineering Managers
Bachelor's Degree · $167,740
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in…
Architecture / Design Firm Principal
Master of Architecture (M.Arch) · $180,000
Leads an architecture or design firm as principal/partner, overseeing design quality, project delivery, business…
Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary
Doctoral Degree · $101,480
Teach courses in architecture and architectural design, such as architectural environmental design, interior…
Archivists
Master's Degree · $61,570
Appraise, edit, and direct safekeeping of permanent records and historically valuable documents. Participate in…
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary
Doctoral Degree · $84,290
Teach courses pertaining to the culture and development of an area, an ethnic group, or any other group, such as Latin…
Art Therapists
Master's Degree · $92,120
Plan or conduct art therapy sessions or programs to improve clients' physical, cognitive, or emotional well-being.
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary
Master's Degree · $80,190
Teach courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design…
Asset Manager (Real Estate)
Bachelor's Degree · $120,000
Optimizes real estate portfolios by developing and executing strategic plans to maximize value and generate returns for…
Assistant Professor
Doctoral or Professional Degree · $90,000
Conducts research, teaches undergraduate and graduate courses, and provides service to the university and academic…
Associate Attorney
Doctoral or Professional Degree · $120,000
Represents clients in legal proceedings, conducts research, drafts legal documents, and provides legal advice. Works…
Associate Dean
Doctoral or Professional Degree · $120,000
Associate Deans typically hold administrative positions within academic institutions, supporting the Dean in managing…
Astrobiologist / Planetary Scientist
Ph.D. in Astrobiology, Planetary Science, or related field · $95,000
Studies the origin, evolution, and distribution of life in the universe, investigating extreme environments on Earth…
Astronomers
Doctoral Degree · $132,170
Observe, research, and interpret astronomical phenomena to increase basic knowledge or apply such information to…
Athletic Director (High School / College)
Master's degree (Sports Administration/Educational Leadership; EdD valued) · $85,000
Leads the entire athletic department of an educational institution, overseeing budgets, coaching staff, compliance,…
Athletic Trainers
Master's Degree · $60,250
Evaluate and treat musculoskeletal injuries or illnesses. Provide preventive, therapeutic, emergency, and…