When it comes to exploring career options, money isn’t everything, and it certainly isn’t as important as your passion and genuine interest. But earning a handsome salary sure has its advantages — whether it’s affording a 20-bedroom mansion or that pony you wanted since childhood.
And there are many — many — jobs that can help you make that happen, although they generally require a massive time and money investment in acquiring the necessary education.
In this guide, we’ll explore the 20 highest-paying graduate jobs to help you make an informed career choice.
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What is a graduate job?
A graduate job is a permanent role for university leavers. In other words, only candidates who have completed at least an undergraduate (or, in some cases, a postgraduate) degree are considered for the role.
These jobs typically require specialist, technical or industry-specific skills and knowledge, as well as varying qualifications and sometimes professional licenses and certifications.
The earning power of academic degrees
Completing a college degree program can make you a more attractive job applicant, while it can also improve your earning potential exponentially.
Indeed, bachelor’s degree holders typically earn, on average, $1,493 a week, compared to workers with only a high school diploma ($899 a week), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Master’s degrees, meanwhile, can further improve salary prospects, rising to $1,737 a week — as can doctoral degrees (including PhDs, SJDs and DFAs), which command average weekly earnings of $2,109.
Meanwhile, professional degrees (such as in medicine, law and veterinary medicine) have the highest earning power across all academic degrees, with an average weekly pay of $2,206. This perhaps comes as no surprise, considering the specialized expertise obtained through these degrees.
20 high-paying graduate jobs
Looking for ideas? Here are the 20 highest-paying graduate jobs worth considering:
1. Surgeons
sussexcareers via Flickr
What they earn: $378,250/year
What they do: Surgeons perform surgical procedures to diagnose, treat and manage various medical conditions. They typically specialize in a particular area, such as vascular surgery, neurosurgery or thoracic surgery.
How to become: Surgeons must complete medical school, which can take up to eight years, before entering residency program last three to nine years. They then need to become licensed by their state’s medical board, which includes passing a standardized exam.
2. Anesthesiologists
What they earn: $339,470/year
What they do: Anesthesiologists are responsible for administering anesthesia to patients and monitoring their vitals during surgery. They also provide pain relief in intensive care, for patients with chronic pain, and for women in labor.
How to become: Like surgeons, anesthesiologists must obtain a medical degree. This is followed by a residency in anesthesiology and, finally, board certification.
3. Obstetrician-gynecologists
What they earn: $278,660/year
What they do: Also known as OB/GYNs, obstetrician-gynecologists specialize in women’s reproductive health, pregnancy and childbirth. They also diagnose and treat health issues such as cervical cancer, symptoms related to menopause, and ovarian cysts.
How to become: OB/GYNs must obtain a medical degree, complete a residency on obstetrics-gynecology, and become board certified.
4. General internal medicine physicians
What they earn: $245,450/year
What they do: General internal medicine physicians focus on diagnosing and treating adult diseases, as well as managing chronic conditions and preventive care. They specialize in a particular area, such as gastroenterology or endocrinology.
How to become: Like all medical professions, they need to obtain a medical degree, complete a residency program (in internal medicine), and become licensed by their state’s medical board.
5. Family medicine physicians
World Bank Photo Collection via Flickr
What they earn: $240,790/year
What they do: Family medicine physicians are responsible for providing comprehensive care for patients across all ages and conditions. They typically have regular, long-term patients, including all members from a household.
How to become: Family medicine physicians must complete a medical degree, a family medicine residency and board certification.
6. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons
What they earn: $239,200/year
What they do: Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are specialist surgeons who perform surgeries on the mouth, jaw and face, including extractions and reconstructions. They also administer general or local anesthetics, and often work with other medical professionals (such as restorative dentists).
How to become: Oral and maxillofacial surgeons need to have a four-year dental degree from an accredited dental school. After that, they need to complete a surgical residency, lasting between four and six years, and obtain licensing and pass the board exam.
7. Orthodontists
What they earn: $239,200/year
What they do: Orthodontists correct misaligned teeth and jaws using braces, retainers and other appliances like facemasks and headgear. They generally specialize in preventing, diagnosing and correcting various facial and dental irregularities.
How to become: Like oral and maxillofacial surgeons, orthodontists must complete dental school. This is followed by an orthodontics residency, lasting between two and three years, and earning an orthodontist license.
8. Prosthodontists
What they earn: $234,000/year
What they do: Prosthodontists are dental specialists who specialize in restoring teeth with crowns, bridges, dentures and implants to improve a patient’s oral health and appearance.
How to become: Prosthodontists must complete dental school before passing the Integrated National Board Dental Examination and acquiring licensure, as well as completing a three-year residency in prosthodontics.
9. Nurse anesthetists
UMDNJ School of Nursing via Flickr
What they earn: $212,650/year
What they do: Nurse anesthetists are responsible for administering anesthesia and monitoring patients during procedures under the supervision of a physician. They also provide pain management and some emergency services.
How to become: Nurse anesthetists typically require at least a master’s degree in an advanced practicing field of nursing. They also need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses.
10. Chief executives
What they earn: $206,680/year
What they do: Chief executives are the top decision-makers in any organization. They oversee organizational strategy and operations. They may be the owner and founder of the organization, or they may be appointed to the position.
How to become: Chief executives typically require an MBA or a relevant degree. They also need abundant business experience, which can include leadership and management positions.
11. General pediatricians
What they earn: $205,860/year
What they do: General pediatricians specialize in providing medical care for infants, children, adolescents and young adults, including preventive care and treatment. They sometimes specialize in a particular area, such as autoimmune disorders.
How to become: As with other medical professions, pediatricians must possess a medical degree and board certification, as well as complete a pediatric residency program.
12. Computer and information systems managers
What they earn: $169,510/year
What they do: Computer and information systems managers oversee IT systems, technology strategy and team management within an organization. They typically work with executives and other managers to assess business needs regarding computer and information systems.
How to become: Computer and information systems managers typically need a bachelor’s degree in IT or a related field, while some employers may require a graduate degree.
13. Dentists
World Bank Photo Collection via Flickr
What they earn: $166,300/year
What they do: Dentists are responsible for diagnosing and treating oral health issues and promoting dental hygiene. They’re typically general practitioners but they may specialize in a particular area such as endodontics or periodontics.
How to become: An accredited DDS or DMD degree is typically required for dentists, as is state licensure. Specialties, meanwhile, require additional training, usually lasting two to four years.
14. Architectural managers
What they earn: $165,370/year
What they do: Architectural managers focus on supervising architectural and engineering teams to develop building designs and plans. They also prepare budgets for projects, staff and equipment.
How to become: At least a bachelor’s degree in engineering, architecture or a related field is necessary to become an architectural manager, as is managerial experience.
15. Marketing managers
What they earn: $157,620/year
What they do: Marketing managers develop strategies to promote products or services, enhance brand image, and increase sales. They include brand marketers, as well as content, social media and digital marketing managers.
How to become: Marketing managers typically require a bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications or a related subject. A master’s degree, meanwhile, may be required by some employers.
16. Physicists
What they earn: $155,680/year
What they do: Physicists conduct research on physical phenomena and explore the fundamental properties and laws that govern space, time, energy and matter. They also develop theories, models or applications based on these.
How to become: A master’s degree in physics or a related subject is typically required for physicists. That said, a PhD is required for jobs within research or academia.
17. Lawyers
Cal Injury Lawyer via Flickr
What they earn: $145,760/year
What they do: Lawyers advise clients on legal matters, draft legal documents and represent their clients in court. They often specialize in a particular area, such as business, employment, family, contract, intellectual property, entertainment or real estate law.
How to become: Lawyers must possess a JD degree, which typically takes three years to obtain, following a four-year bachelor’s degree. They must also pass a bar exam to become licensed.
18. Computer and information research scientists
What they earn: $145,080/year
What they do: Computer and information research scientists are responsible for developing innovative computing technologies and solving complex IT problems. Specialties include programming and robotics.
How to become: Computer and information research scientists typically require a master’s or higher degree in a field like computer science or computer engineering. Some employers, meanwhile, prefer to hire candidates with a PhD.
19. Podiatrists
What they earn: $141,650/year
What they do: Podiatrists are medical professionals who focus on diagnosing and treating conditions that affect the feet, ankles and lower legs. This includes injuries, calluses, as well as leg problems associated with diabetes or obesity.
How to become: A Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree is required, as is a three-year residency program. Meanwhile, podiatrists must also pass all parts of the American Podiatric Medical Licensing Exam.
20. Computer hardware engineers
What they earn: $138,080/year
What they do: Computer hardware engineers design and develop computer hardware components, such as processors, routers, circuit boards and networks. They also ensure that these components work together with the latest software.
How to become: A bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, computer and information technology, electrical engineering, or a related subject is required. Some employers may require a master’s degree.
Final thoughts
As you can see, the vast majority of top-paying graduate jobs lie within the healthcare sector. But there are also other sectors (like engineering, tech, law, management and marketing) that offer several profitable career options, too.
One thing that the jobs featured in this list have in common, though, is that they all have the potential to make six-figure salaries.
Whether you choose to pursue one of these careers, or something else entirely, it’s important to first identify your career interests and thoroughly research what it is that you want to do before committing to years of study (and crippling student debt). And one way you can do that is through taking a career test, like our very own over at CareerHunter.
Got a question? Let us know in the comments section below.
This article is a complete update of an earlier version originally published in 2018.