5 Growing Careers Requiring a Graduate Degree
02/13/2019 by HIGHERGRAD
The job market is strong across the board. Many if not most occupations are projected to grow over the next ten years. Several growing career paths with the highest projected percent job growth are ones that require a graduate degree.
Finding a job after grad school is your primary focus and one of the many reasons to pursue graduate studies. By completing a master’s degree or other graduate program, you are preparing yourself for better jobs with higher demands in the marketplace.
So if you are just starting to prepare for graduate school or are considering the best master’s degrees for a career change, which professions are growing the fastest? Here are the top five growing career paths that require a graduate degree, which are also projected to grow over 25% and also have annual median salaries over $75,000. These are by far at the top of the list for the best careers for the next ten years.
Physician AssistantProjected job growth - 37.3%Median Annual Salary - $104,860
Physician assistants evaluate patients and administer care to treat illnesses, diseases, and physical or mental problems. These positions are generally filled in hospitals, medical clinics, and doctors’ offices. Physicians assistants can work varying shifts and often work nights, weekends, and holidays. Most physician assistants work with other medical staff and specifically work closely and report to medical doctors. These positions require graduate degrees and training in the medical profession in order to qualify for positions.
Nurse PractitionerProjected job growth - 36.1%Median Annual Salary - $103,880
A Nurse practitioner is an advanced practice registered nurse (RN). Their specialized education and training allows them to provide health care services similar to that of a physician. Nurse practitioners provide general care and treatment to patients by conducting tests, administering treatments, and assisting physicians. Medical professionals in these positions also have authority to consult, diagnose, and prescribe medication. Most nurse practitioners have specialization in a particular field, such as pediatrics, emergency care, or anesthesiology. This occupation is in high demand in the medical field and those seeking out graduate degrees and training as a nurse practitioner often secure high paying jobs quickly.
StatisticiansProjected job growth - 33.8%Median Annual Salary - $84,060
A statistician collects numerical data and analyzes it to help solve real-world problems. People in this occupation use mathematical and statistical techniques to help businesses, research firms, government agencies, and universities analyze data, identify useful trends, and make smart decisions. Statisticians typically work full-time in an office setting. Some jobs in this occupation also work from home in certain circumstances. Many different skills, such as data analysis, programming and communication, are required to be successful in these jobs.
MathematicianProjected job growth - 29.7%Median Annual Salary - $103,010
Mathematicians use advanced mathematical analysis to design and develop new principles and concepts to solve real-world problems. Unlike statisticians who are performing useful analysis giving a particular business problem, mathematicians are usually tasks with coming up with new ways to solve very unique problems. Many work in research labs, universities, and large corporations. This profession suits analytical people who have an aptitude for numbers, are willing to tackle complex and often difficult to solve problems, and are not afraid to fail. Many employers are seeking graduate degree holders in the fields of mathematics, operations research, and statistics to fill this hard to fill but value positions.
Genetic CounselorsProjected job growth - 29.0%Median Annual Salary - $77,480
Genetic counselors are a fairly new occupation. They provide patients with data about the risks of genetically inherited conditions. The growth is this occupation is due mostly to the advancing medical and technological innovations in genetics. Positions are needed to conduct analysis, provide results to patients, and diagnose genetic diseases. A graduate degree is require and some states also require a state issues license to practice as a genetic counselor.
Overall, job growth in all occupations are projected to increase over the next 10 years with only a few exceptions. These top five growing occupations that require a graduate degree are great fields to be in if you want good salaries and great job prospects.
*Data obtained from the Bureau of Labor Statisitics (BLS) based on occupational projections and worker characteristics. Data can be found here.
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