Depending on the degree, a degree in the field can yield a high-paying career. According to the US News & World Report, many careers for those with an advanced degree can pay $50,000 or more per year. This can be great for your long term financial stability and security.
Careers with a master’s degree offer more earning power and advancement opportunities than those with only a bachelor’s degree. If you are interested in receiving higher pay scale and better advancement potential, consider pursuing a graduate degree from an accredited university.
High paying careers with masters degree
Mathematician and Statisticians
- Potential Degree: Master of Science in Data Analytics
- Projected Growth Rate: 33% (Much faster than average)
- 2020 Median Pay: $93,290
Statisticians today are often called data scientists. They come up with and/or apply math and statistical theory in many fields. Their skills help to collect and organize numerical data. They also know how to make sense of and present this data so others can use it.
This ability is something that could apply to almost every industry. From agriculture to business, economics, health care, finance and beyond. Many of the master’s degrees in statistics provide the chance to apply theory. Courses often cover more complex methods as well as analytics.
Some programs look at cloud computing, machine learning and forecasting methods. Should you want to teach or work on independent research, a master’s degree may lead into a PhD.
Speech Language Pathologists
- Potential Degree: Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology
- Projected Growth Rate: 29% (Much faster than average)
- 2020 Median Pay: $80,480
Speech Language pathologists also go by the name Speech Therapists. They work with both children and adults. Part of what they do is assess and diagnose. Then treat and help to prevent communication and swallowing disorders. Such issues have different causes. Like stroke, brain injury, hearing loss, Parkinson’s and autism.
Speech therapists need a master’s degree from an accredited program. In this case, the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA). This enables them to sit for state licensure exams since many states need some kind of license. In a master’s program, students often study age-specific disorders and other topics. They also undergo a supervised clinical experience.
Physician Assistants
- Potential Degree: Master of Science in Physician Assistant
- Projected Growth Rate: 31% (Much faster than average)
- 2020 Median Pay: $115,390
Physician assistants also go by the name PAs. They practice medicine on teams. You might find PAs working along with physicians, surgeons, and other healthcare workers. PAs examine, diagnose, and treat patients. Other duties relate to a chosen specialty since PAs work in all areas of medicine. Primary care and family medicine, emergency medicine, surgery, and psychiatry.
Physician assistants usually need a master’s degree from an accredited PA program. This enables a PA to sit for national certifying exams from the NCCPA.
Since a state license is mandatory, this is vital. Beyond this, accredited PA programs include many clinical rotations. During these rotations, aspiring PAs often find permanent employment with a supervising doctor.
Occupational Therapists
- Potential Degree: Master of Science in Occupational Therapy
- Projected Growth Rate 17% (Much faster than average)
- 2020 Median Pay: $86,280
Occupational therapists (OTs) treat injured, ill, or disabled patients. Their aim is to help the people in their care move through everyday activities with ease.
As such, the therapy they do helps patients develop and/or recover. Or, at least improve on and maintain skills needed for daily living and working. Such patients may have permanent disabilities, growth delays, mental health issues and beyond.
Many OTs need at least a master’s degree to begin a career. But many do go onto pursue a doctorate. After completing an accredited MSOT program, students need to pursue a state license.
Regardless of the high demand for these careers, there are only a few career options that one can explore within the medical field. Therefore, it is imperative for you to choose a career that meets your expectations as well as financial means. Opting for masters in medical science will allow you to enter into any of these high paying careers successfully.
