Plenty of jobs require a master’s degree, and the number keeps growing. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projected that employment in occupations typically requiring a master’s degree would grow by almost 17 percent from 2016 to 2026, the fastest growth of any education level. That is more than twice the average projected for all occupations.
The fields with the most openings for graduate-level workers cluster in a few areas. Healthcare leads the way: nurse practitioners, occupational therapists, and other advanced clinical roles usually require a master’s for entry. Education is another large group, covering school counselors, instructional coordinators, and postsecondary teachers in many subjects.
Community and social services, including mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists, typically require a master’s degree plus supervised clinical hours. Library science, legal support roles such as arbitrators and mediators, and STEM occupations round out the picture.
Keep in mind that BLS designations describe what is typically needed for entry, not what every worker holds. In some of these occupations, experienced workers entered with less education years ago, while new entrants face the master’s requirement. Check current job postings in your area to see what employers actually demand.
If you are weighing the investment, start by identifying which of these fields fits your interests and strengths then work backward to the right program. Our guides on which master’s degrees are worth it and career change options for master’s holders can help, and joining a professional association is a practical way to learn what employers in a field really want.
