How much should I make a year with a master’s degree?

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How much should I make a year with a master's degree?
Unlock your earning potential! Explore what salary awaits you with a master's degree and how to maximize your income prospects.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports median usual weekly earnings of $1,876 for full-time workers with a master’s degree in 2025, which comes to about $97,500 over a year. That is more than the $1,578 median for bachelor’s degree holders, and less than the medians for professional and doctoral degree holders. Earnings rise with education on average, but the spread within each level is wide.

Your field matters more than the degree level alone. NACE surveys of starting salaries find the highest pay for master’s graduates in engineering, computer science, math and sciences, and business. Roles that typically require a master’s, such as nurse practitioners, physician assistants, computer and information research scientists, economists, and postsecondary education administrators, sit in these higher-paying areas.

Location matters too. Teacher salaries show this clearly: district pay scales vary widely by state, so a master’s premium in one state can look very different in another. Cost of living and local demand shape the final number.

If you are weighing the investment, compare tuition against realistic earnings in your field. Research salary data for your target job rather than national averages, and factor in loans, lost income while studying, and how long the payoff will take. Many students cut costs with affordable online universities. Review the ROI of a master’s degree for your situation, and when you have an offer, salary negotiations can leverage your master’s degree.

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