A master’s degree is becoming more crucial by the day. It gives you more credibility and opens many job opportunities. If you’re considering getting a master’s degree, in this article, we’ve compiled the best jobs that require a master’s degree that you can explore further.
Why Get a Master’s Degree?
Although there are hundreds of jobs that don’t require a master’s degree, getting one has a lot of benefits, like:
- Switching careers: a master’s degree will help change jobs to a more managerial or leadership role.
- Higher wages: the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that jobs that require a master’s degree on average have a weekly salary of $1,497.
- Higher chance of promotion: you’ll have a higher chance of getting a promotion, as you can prove you can do higher quality work.
- Positive job outlook: occupations that require a master’s degree will increase by 16.7%, the BLS reports.
- Improved skills: a master’s degree will help you improve your professional skills and advance your knowledge in the field.
- Wider network: when getting your degree, you’ll be able to build connections with your peers or professors for future collaboration or job opportunities.
14 Jobs That Require a Master’s Degree
Many careers require a master’s degree; however, below, you’ll find 14 versatile options that can spark interest and have a positive job outlook this decade.
Statistician
Statisticians are professionals that utilize statistical methods to collect and analyze data to help solve problems in different fields like business, government, education, research, engineering, and healthcare. They design surveys, studies, and experiments related to the problem they’re trying to solve. After collecting data, they analyze it to find patterns and draw conclusions.
To work as a statistician, getting a master’s degree in mathematics or statistics is recommended. The BLS reports a job outlook of 33% and median pay of $96,280.
Occupational therapist
Occupational therapists help clients with various disabling mental or physical conditions recover and be able to live and function independently. They also help patients adjust to life-changing conditions and perform daily tasks. Occupational therapists can work in hospitals, occupational therapy offices, schools, nursing homes, and home health services.
Becoming an occupational therapist requires a master’s degree in occupational therapy. The BLS reports a job outlook of 17% this decade, with a median annual pay of $85,570.
Physician assistant
As medical professionals, physician assistants work with doctors to provide specialty and primary care. They can perform many tasks like diagnosing illnesses, ordering and interpreting tests, prescribing medication, developing and managing treatment plans, etc. Their duties depend on the type of facility in which they work, e.g., if they specialize in cardiology, they’ll have to participate in rounds, perform consultations, and prepare discharge summaries. Physician assistants can work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, physicians’ offices, etc.
To become a physician assistant, you must get a physician assistant master’s degree and licensure. The BLS reports a job outlook of 31% and median annual pay of $121,530.
Nurse practitioner
Nurse practitioners are advanced medical professionals who provide patients with primary and specialty care. They can work in various healthcare facilities like hospitals, physicians’ offices, clinics, private practices, etc. Some of their duties include performing routine examinations, creating patient care plans, prescribing medication, providing treatment, ordering and interpreting tests, operating medical equipment, etc.
Becoming a nurse practitioner requires a master’s degree in an advanced practice nursing field. The BLS reports a job outlook of 45% this decade and median annual pay of $123,780.
Economist
Economists are experts that collect and analyze data related to the economy. They research economic issues and market trends, offer advice to businesses, conduct surveys, present research findings, and offer solutions to financial problems. They can work with policymakers to provide insight into economic impacts.
Becoming an economist requires a master’s degree in economics. The BLS reports a job outlook of 13% and median annual pay of $105,630.
Political scientist
Political scientists are experts in researching political subjects to understand political, economic, and social trends. They can work with organizations, labor unions, governments, and political groups as policy analysts to research public policy. They can also teach in high schools and colleges.
To become a political scientist, you must get a master’s degree in political science. The BLS reports a job outlook of 9% and median pay of $122,510.
Human resources manager
Human resources managers (HR managers) serve as liaisons between management and employees. They also oversee the whole process of hiring new staff and consult with executives on strategic planning. An HR manager’s duties include planning and coordinating the company’s workforce, planning and overseeing employee benefits programs, handling staffing issues, etc.
Getting a master’s degree in human resources increases your chances of becoming an HR manager. The BLS reports a job outlook of 9% and median pay of $126,230.
Engineering manager
Engineering managers combine business and engineering disciplines to design and develop new products, operate an efficient lab, and solve any problem that may arise during production. Some of their duties include proposing project budgets, managing staff, checking for technical accuracy, making detailed plans for product design, etc. They can work in offices, research laboratories, and industrial production plants.
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To become an engineering manager, you must get a master’s degree in engineering management. The BLS reports a job outlook of 4% with a median pay of $152,350.
Education administrator
Education administrators are professionals who manage schools and programs to provide a safe environment for students and teachers. Their duties include designing learning opportunities, maintaining student records, planning commencement ceremonies, managing day-to-day operations, etc.
Many teachers move to the role of an education administrator after acquiring a master’s degree in education. The BLS reports a job outlook of 8% and median pay of $96,910.
Family therapist
Family therapists are professionals that work with families to manage issues in relationships. They help clients work through complex thoughts and emotions and help them take a more positive approach. Family therapists can work in private practices and mental health centers.
To become a family therapist, you must get a master’s degree in psychology, marriage, and family therapy. The BLS reports a job outlook of 16% and median pay of $49,880.
School counselor
School counselors are professionals that work with students to help them achieve academic success by giving them advice, helping them overcome academic and social difficulties, and collaborating with teachers. They can work in elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, and colleges in private or public settings.
They also help students know themselves better by making assessments and interviewing them. Depending on the student’s age, they can help students with:
- Elementary and middle school – help students develop social and academic skills to improve overall performance.
- High school and college – help students prepare for interviews and career choices and detect the issues that affect the student’s performance.
To become a school counselor, you must get a master’s degree in counseling, psychology, or a related field. The BLS reports a job outlook of 11% and median pay of $60,510.
Forensic psychologist
Forensic psychologists use their psychological background to help judges, attorneys, and other professionals understand cases’ psychological aspects, be they family, civil, or criminal. They’re usually called expert witnesses to testify in court.
To become a forensic psychologist, you must get a master’s degree in psychology. The BLS reports a job outlook of 8% this decade, with a median pay of $81,040.
Speech-language pathologist
Speech-language pathologists work with children or adults to assess, diagnose, treat, and help them with speech, language, and swallowing disorders. These disorders can occur because of stroke, brain injury, autism, developmental delay, hearing loss, Parkinson’s disease, etc.
Becoming a speech-language pathologist requires a master’s degree in speech-language pathology and a license or certification, depending on the state. The BLS reports a job outlook of 29% this decade, with a median pay of $79,060.
College professor
College professors teach students in a variety of subjects and conduct research, and publish papers and books. Their duties include planning lessons and assignments, developing a lesson plan, teaching courses in a subject matter, collaborating with students to develop a curriculum, assessing their progress, etc.
Becoming a college professor requires a master’s degree in your field of study. The BLS reports a job outlook of 12% with a median pay of $79,640.
Conclusion
Although getting a master’s degree requires a lot of resources and time, its benefits to your personal and professional life make it worthwhile. And the most important benefit is helping you achieve your goals. So if you want to get closer to your dreams, you can start today by exploring master’s degree programs.