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. You are looking at page 12 of 15 for careers that need an advanced degree.
731 careers in Careers that need an advanced degree, page 12 of 15
Physics Researcher
Doctoral or professional degree · $166,290 per year
Physicists and astronomers study the interactions of matter and energy. They conduct research to develop theories and…
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary
Doctoral Degree · $97,360
Teach courses pertaining to the laws of matter and energy. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and…
Pipeline Technical Director
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field; Master's preferred. · $125,000
Designs, develops, and maintains tools and workflows for film, animation, and game production, bridging the gap between…
Playwright / Librettist
Bachelor's degree (Playwriting/English/Theater; MFA strongly valued) · $52,000
Writes original plays, musicals, or opera libretti for theatrical production, developing dramatic narratives, dialogue,…
Podiatrists
Doctoral Degree · $152,800
Diagnose and treat diseases and deformities of the human foot.
Policy Director
Master's Degree · $140,000
Develops and implements strategic policy initiatives, advises leadership on legislative matters, and oversees policy…
Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Doctoral Degree · $94,680
Teach courses in political science, international affairs, and international relations. Includes both teachers…
Political Scientists
Doctoral Degree · $139,380
Study the origin, development, and operation of political systems. May study topics, such as public opinion, political…
Portfolio Manager (Equities)
Bachelor's or MBA in Finance; CFA charter required at most firms · $175,000
Manages equity portfolios for institutional or retail clients, making buy/sell decisions based on fundamental and/or…
Portfolio Manager (Fixed Income / Multi-Asset)
Bachelor's or MBA in Finance; CFA charter required; CAIA for alternatives · $185,000
Manages fixed income or multi-asset portfolios, making allocation decisions across bonds, rates, credit, and…
Portfolio Manager (Quant)
Master's Degree · $324,051
Develop, implement, and manage quantitative investment strategies using advanced mathematical models, statistical…
Portfolio Manager (Real Estate)
Bachelor's Degree · $120,000 - $160,000
Manages a portfolio of real estate assets, developing and executing investment strategies to maximize returns and meet…
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Ph.D. in relevant scientific discipline · $58,000
Conducts advanced research under the mentorship of a principal investigator, developing independent research skills,…
Postdoctoral Researcher
Doctoral or Professional Degree · $85,000
Conducts advanced scientific research, analyzes data, and publishes findings to contribute to academic and scientific…
Press Freedom Advocate / Media Rights Officer
Bachelor's in Journalism, Law, International Relations, or Human Rights; Master's preferred · $72,000
Advocates for press freedom, journalist safety, and media rights through legal support, policy lobbying, safety…
Preventive Medicine Physicians
Post-Doctoral Training · $78,140
Apply knowledge of general preventive medicine and public health issues to promote health care to groups or…
Principal Investigator (Academic)
Ph.D. in relevant scientific discipline · $105,000
Leads independent research programs at universities or research institutes, securing grants, mentoring trainees,…
Principal Software Engineer
Bachelor's degree in CS (MS/PhD common) · $280,000
Top-tier individual contributor who sets technical strategy at the organizational level, solves the hardest engineering…
Principal SRE
Bachelor's Degree · $180,000
Leads the design, implementation, and maintenance of scalable, reliable, and efficient infrastructure and systems.
Private Equity / Venture Capital Managing Partner
Bachelor's degree (MBA from top school common) · $600,000
Leads a private equity or venture capital fund, overseeing investment strategy, deal sourcing, portfolio management,…
Private Equity Operating Partner
Master's Degree · $250,000
Drive operational improvements within portfolio companies through strategic planning, cost optimization, revenue growth…
Private Equity Partner
Doctoral or Professional Degree · $500,000
Identify, evaluate, and execute investment opportunities in private companies while managing funds, leading due…
Private School Head / Headmaster
Master's degree (EdD/PhD valued) · $180,000
Leads an independent or private K-12 school, overseeing academics, admissions, fundraising, parent relations, and…
Product Director
Bachelor's Degree · $180,000
Leads the strategic vision, development, and lifecycle management of a product or portfolio of products, ensuring…
Professor (University)
PhD in relevant discipline · $85,000
Teaches undergraduate and graduate courses, conducts original research, publishes academic work, and mentors students…
Program Director
Master's degree · $130,000
Program Directors oversee and coordinate multiple projects within a program, ensuring alignment with organizational…
Prosthodontists
Post-Doctoral Training · $126,050
Diagnose, treat, rehabilitate, design, and fit prostheses that maintain oral function, health, and appearance for…
Proteomics Scientist
Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Analytical Chemistry, or Proteomics · $105,000
Studies the full complement of proteins in cells and tissues using mass spectrometry and bioinformatics, identifying…
Provost
Doctoral or Professional Degree · $220,000
A Provost serves as the chief academic officer of a university or college, overseeing all academic programs, faculty…
Psychiatrists
Post-Doctoral Training · $78,140
Diagnose, treat, and help prevent mental disorders.
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary
Doctoral Degree · $80,330
Teach courses in psychology, such as child, clinical, and developmental psychology, and psychological counseling.…
Public Affairs Director
Bachelor's Degree · $130,000
Directs and manages an organization's public relations and communications strategies, fostering positive relationships…
Public Health Director / Commissioner
Master's degree (MPH/MD/DrPH) · $150,000
Leads a public health department at the local, county, or state level, overseeing disease surveillance, health…
Public Utility District / Authority CEO
Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Business (MBA/MPA common) · $200,000
Leads a public utility authority (water, power, transit), managing infrastructure, rate-setting, regulatory compliance,…
Pulmonologist
Doctoral or Professional Degree · $280,000
Diagnose and treat diseases of the respiratory system, such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, pneumonia, and lung…
Quantitative Analyst (Quant)
Master's Degree · $130,000
Quantitative Analysts, or Quants, apply advanced mathematical and statistical methods to financial markets. They…
Quantitative Developer (Quant Dev) - Finance
Master's or PhD (CS/Math/Physics/Financial Engineering) · $250,000
Builds high-performance trading systems, pricing models, and risk analytics for hedge funds, investment banks, and…
Quantitative Research Analyst (Buy-Side)
PhD in Math, Physics, Statistics, CS, or Financial Engineering · $185,000
Develops quantitative models and alpha signals for systematic investment strategies, conducting statistical research,…
Quantitative Researcher
Master's Degree · $200,000
Develops and implements mathematical models and statistical algorithms to identify trading signals, price financial…
Quantitative Risk Model Validator
Master's or PhD in Math, Statistics, Financial Engineering, or Physics; FRM valued · $135,000
Independently validates quantitative models used for pricing, risk management, and regulatory capital, assessing model…
Quantum Computing Researcher
Master's or Doctoral Degree · $63,380
Develops quantum algorithms and hardware to solve problems beyond the capabilities of classical computers.
Quantum Engineer
Doctoral or Professional Degree · $160,000
Designs, develops, and implements quantum computing systems and algorithms. This involves deep understanding of quantum…
Quantum Hardware Engineer
Doctoral or Professional Degree · $140,000
Designs, develops, and tests the physical components and systems that enable quantum computing and other quantum…
Radiation Oncologist
Doctorate or Professional Degree · $585,000
Treat cancer using radiation therapy by assessing patients, confirming diagnoses, developing personalized treatment…
Radiobiologist
Ph.D. in Radiobiology, Biophysics, or Radiation Oncology · $95,000
Studies the effects of ionizing radiation on biological systems, supporting radiation therapy optimization, radiation…
Radiochemist / Nuclear Pharmacist
Ph.D. in Radiochemistry, Nuclear Chemistry, or Pharm.D. with nuclear pharmacy specialization · $105,000
Synthesizes and quality-controls radioactive compounds for diagnostic imaging and targeted radiotherapy, working with…
Radiologists
Post-Doctoral Training · $97,272
Diagnose and treat diseases and injuries using medical imaging techniques, such as x rays, magnetic resonance imaging…
Real Estate Attorney / Property Lawyer
Juris Doctor (JD); bar admission required · $135,000
Provides legal counsel on real estate transactions, disputes, and development, handling purchase agreements, title…
Real Estate Consultant / Advisory
Bachelor's in Real Estate, Finance, or Urban Planning; MBA or MRED preferred · $105,000
Provides strategic advisory services to real estate investors, developers, and corporations on market strategy,…
Real Estate Data Scientist
Master's or PhD in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, or Economics · $135,000
Applies data science and machine learning to real estate problems including automated valuation models, market…