12 Top Jobs That Require A Master’s Degree

Are you considering continuing your education after college to earn a master’s degree? Explore jobs that require a master’s degree to see if graduate school is the best choice for your career goals.

There are many benefits to earning a master’s degree including job advancement opportunities and higher earning potential. The average starting salary for graduates with a master’s degree is 22.5% higher than those with only a bachelor’s degree. If you are wondering what jobs require a master’s degree and have a positive impact on the environment, then you have found the right article! 

• What Jobs Can You Get With A Master’s Degree?
• 12 Careers That Require A Master’s Degree
• Does Having A Master’s Help You Get A Job?

Apply for an online master’s degree from Unity today. No application fee or GRE scores are required.

What Jobs Can You Get With A Master’s Degree?

There is a range of professional fields where a master’s degree can significantly enhance career opportunities and earning potential. They include various analyst, management, and specialist roles. Some jobs require a master’s degree even to be considered while others prefer applicants to have one. Either way, an advanced education versus only a bachelor’s degree can help you stand out from the crowd in today’s competitive job market.

12 Careers That Require A Master’s Degree

Below are the top green careers that require a master’s degree or greatly benefit from having one. They include some of the best-paying jobs with a master’s degree that has an environmental or conservation focus. Most of the jobs on this list call for specific skills that you can gain through your graduate degree program. A master’s degree also shows employers that you have a certain knowledge base and are committed to your field.

Data Analyst

Data analyst is one of the most in-demand careers with a master’s degree. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment of data analysts is projected to increase by 35% in the next ten years. Data analyst is also one of the highest paying jobs you can get with a graduate degree. The median annual salary for data scientists in 2023 was $108,020. 

Data analysts collect, interpret, and analyze data. They usually present their findings to various stakeholders regularly. The job requires strong math and computer skills. While a master’s degree is not a necessity for some data analyst positions, learning how to use technology to process large amounts of data and create data visualizations can be difficult without a degree program to support your learning. You can earn a master’s in environmental data analytics from Unity Environmental University completely online while still gaining all the real-world experience you need to excel in the field.

Wildlife Biologist

Are you looking for master’s degree careers working with animals? Consider a job as a wildlife biologist. This allows you to work directly with animals and help them survive in our changing climate. A wildlife biologist often splits their work hours between an office, laboratory, and the field. The median annual salary for wildlife biologists is $70,600, but the top 10% of employees in the field make more than $110,500. 

Most of the higher-level positions in the field require a master’s degree or Ph.D. A master’s in wildlife ecology and management is ideal for anyone with a bachelor’s degree in a math or science field who is looking to obtain an advanced position in wildlife biology. It will prepare you to lead the conservation of various wildlife populations through monitoring, data analysis, and resource management.

Coastal Zone Manager

Marine biologists and environmental scientists may work in all types of ecosystems while coastal zone managers, as the name implies, focus on coastal management in marine ecosystems. They work to preserve coasts across the country through careful monitoring, sustainable land management practices, and advocating for more laws to protect coastal regions. These specialists may also help to educate the public on the preservation of marine and coastal habitats and why it’s important, particularly for biodiversity. A master’s in marine policy and management can prepare you for all of those job duties. 

• Average annual salary for environmental specialists: $86,710
• Expected job growth over the next 10 years: 6% (faster than the average across all occupations)

Maximize the value of your degree by pursuing a high-demand career in environmental science.

Restaurant Manager

When searching for answers to the question what can I do with a master’s degree, you may not automatically think of restaurant management. In food service, experience in the field is often more important than formal training. However, many aspiring managers find an MBA to be very useful in helping them to run the restaurant more efficiently and increase profits. On average, restaurant managers make about $70,000 per year, but the top 10% earn over $100,000. 

Restaurant managers have so many opportunities to make sustainable choices from the food they order to how they work to minimize waste. If you are interested in advancing your skills as a business leader in the hospitality industry, consider a master’s in sustainable tourism and hospitality. If you are interested in making your restaurant more environmentally friendly and integrated with local food systems, consider a master’s in sustainable food systems. 

Conservation Scientist

Conservation scientists work to protect forests and other natural habitats. They help ensure responsible land use by individuals, businesses, and governments. The work of conservation scientists has helped us understand the importance of biodiversity and how to preserve it. Conservation scientists had a direct impact on the planet. There are currently about 24,700 conservation scientists employed in the US, and they make about $73,160 per year on average.

As the planet continues to experience the effects of climate change, the demand for conservation scientists is expected to increase. With a degree in carbon ecology and management from Unity, you can learn from experts in the field and practice using cutting-edge technology to help manage and preserve natural resources.

Sustainability Coordinator

Climate change is here whether we like it or not. And now, more than ever, it is clear that a commitment to sustainability is vital for the preservation of humans and the planet. Sustainability coordinators work within organizations, institutions, and communities to encourage and implement sustainable practices. 

Unity’s Master of Professional Science in Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience is an interdisciplinary degree that will help you understand current and future climate hazards and the best actions to take to mitigate them. This online program prepares graduates to become leaders in reducing carbon footprints and enhancing environmental stewardship.

• Average annual salary for sustainability specialists: $86,710
• Expected job growth over the next 10 years: 6% (faster than the average across all occupations)

Still deciding whether to pursue a master’s? Explore more impactful reasons to go to graduate school.

Academic Researcher

When thinking about what jobs need a master’s degree, a professor or researcher often comes to mind. If you want to contribute to cutting-edge scientific discoveries or help train the next generation of environmental scientists, academic research may be a good career path for you.

Academic researchers may work in universities, colleges, and research institutions. Depending on what focus you wanted your research to take, you could pursue an advanced degree in wildlife ecology, marine biology, or carbon ecology. The average annual salary for environmental science teachers at the postsecondary level is $100,910 (BLS). 

Hotel Manager

Do you work in the hospitality industry and have a passion for sustainability? While a degree is usually not required to be a hotel manager, it can increase your chances of promotion, especially if you didn’t major in hospitality for your undergraduate degree. Hotel managers oversee hiring, budgets, and daily operations at lodging facilities. They make $76,790 a year on average. The highest-paying states for hotel managers are:

• Hawaii – $119,640 average salary
• Connecticut – $111,890 average salary
• Colorado – $ 103,880 average salary 
• Massachusetts – $98,610 average salary

An SMBA in Sustainable Tourism and Hospitality can provide the expertise necessary to manage a hotel in a way that promotes environmental stewardship. The program includes essential courses in marketing and finance as well as a capstone project to enhance your skills running a green business.

Animal Shelter Manager

If you have strong leadership skills and a passion for caring for animals, you may enjoy a career as an animal shelter manager. This is one of the few jobs you can get with a master’s degree that allows you to work directly with animals on a daily basis. A master’s in animal science and behaviors will prepare you for this exciting, fast-paced career. 

While the pay for these jobs is not the highest compared to some of the other careers on this list, animal shelter jobs are in high demand. The employment of animal shelter workers is expected to increase by 16% in the next decade according to the BLS.

Online graduate programs allow you to access master’s degree employment on a timeline that suits your schedule. 

Marine Policy Analyst

A marine policy analyst works closely with marine biologists, government agencies, and private businesses to help ensure the protection of the planet’s oceans and sea life. They evaluate policies, regulations, and legislation related to marine conservation and the sustainable use of marine resources. Therefore, they must have a strong grasp of federal, state, and local laws as well as best practices for conserving marine ecosystems.

A master’s in marine policy and management will prepare you for a job as a policy analyst, marine biologist, or researcher. This degree will give you a unique perspective when working with stakeholders who may be focused more on profit versus sustainability. 

Carbon Management Consultant

Consulting is a lucrative career path that often requires a master’s degree. Carbon management consultants advise businesses, governments, and organizations on strategies to reduce carbon emissions, improve resource efficiency, and achieve sustainability goals. Consultants are often self-employed and enjoy the freedom that comes with this type of work. A master’s in carbon ecology and management is one way to gain the credentials you need to become a sought-after carbon management consultant. 

• Average annual salary for management consultants: $115,530
• Expected job growth over the next 10 years: 10% (much faster than the average across all occupations)

Climate Policy Analyst

A climate policy analyst evaluates government policies related to conservation, renewable energy incentives, and carbon emissions reduction. They may present findings and make suggestions based on their analysis in order to support communities in mitigating and adapting to climate change.

While the BLS does not have specific data on the earnings of climate policy analysts, this work is considered a type of political science. The average annual salary for political scientists is $132,020. A degree in climate change adaptation and resilience includes courses on ethical practices, systems thinking, and policy analysis to provide the fundamental skills needed to succeed in this career. 

If you haven’t earned a bachelor’s degree yet, explore career opportunities with an associate vs bachelor’s degree.

Does Having A Master’s Help You Get A Job?

A master’s degree can help you gain the skills, knowledge, and experience needed to switch careers. Or, it can help you get that promotion you have been aiming for at your current job. Certain career paths may often require an advanced degree. Common jobs that need a master’s degree include but are not limited to:

• Leadership roles
• Environmental policy jobs
• Statistician
• Research scientist
• Urban planner
• Social worker

Earn A Master’s Degree Online At Unity Environmental University

Qualified professionals for green jobs are in demand and needed now more than ever. With an advanced degree from the top environmental university in the U.S., you can study alongside other students who are passionate about dedicating their careers to supporting the Earth. Whether you are interested in business, computer science, sustainability, or conservation, we have a master’s program to help boost your career. Our degree programs offer a unique experience that includes experiential learning, multiple start dates per year, and one-on-one career support from day one.