3 Master’s Degrees That Pay $250,000+ In 2025

By Rachel Wells

There’s been a remarkable increase in the number of remote jobs with salaries at $250,000 and above. Within the last quarter alone, high-paying remote jobs that crossed this benchmark jumped by a staggering 18%, according to latest research from Ladders, a job board that focuses solely on roles that pay $100,000 or more.

Naturally, these roles require uniquely high levels of expertise and experience, and are within specialist fields or in senior leadership and management. There are a few ways to prove you’re competent for such high-paying roles, such as:

Completing postgraduate education

Gaining extra certifications and niche-specific training

Building a solid proven track record of delivering outstanding results–quantifying (using numbers) always helps to amplify the impact

Taking the necessary steps to land a promotion internally, or looking for roles using the help of executive recruitment agencies or other niche recruiters

Undoubtedly, one of the best ways to prove your competency for the role is to get a master’s degree. A master’s degree offers several tangible benefits to your career, enabling you to land the highest-tier of pay, through connecting you with the right network, refining your skills, and taking your existing expertise to the next level by giving you in-depth research and knowledge about your subject and industry.

Especially for fields such as law and compliance, executive leadership, and healthcare, a master’s degree is often a prerequisite to securing the highest-paying roles in these industries.

Master degree programs will also have alumni and faculty that have direct access to job contacts in your desired industry, and you may find that it is much easier for you to land a job within in-demand fields such as tech and AI, or management consulting. You may also have greater access to roles at much larger organizations who would require broader or more complex expertise due to their company size and the high-stakes nature of the roles you are pursuing.

If you’re wondering which master’s degrees offer the potential to pay $250,000 or more in salaries and total compensation, check out the list below:

1. MBA (Master Of Business Administration)

Undoubtedly one of the highest-paying roles you can secure (even when working remotely) as an MBA graduate is that of a CEO (chief executive officer). How much you earn, with total compensation including stock options being accounted for, depends on factors such as your industry, your company’s stage of growth and profitability, and company size. But on average, a CEO at an established organization can make an eye-watering $885,080 a year according to Salary.com. You may also secure a VP or director role, with marketing vice presidents making up to $294,835 a year.

2. Master Of Science In Global Finance

In addition to an MSc in global finance, another option would be to get your master’s in investment banking, or an MBA for high tier financial roles. One example of a high-paying role you can get with your master’s degree (and of course, experience) is investment banking Vice President—this role makes between $250,000 to $300,000, with total compensation ranging from $500,000 to $900,000 according to Mergers and Inquisitions’ website.

3. Master Of Science In Intellectual Property

Out of all the legal fields, one of the most lucrative is intellectual property and patent law. For example, a top patent attorney can make between $238,269 and $326,636 in the United States. The reason patent attorneys are in demand is that there are technological innovations and creations being developed every day, in addition to the large number of start-ups being funded since the AI boom. Companies need support with protecting their trademarks, patents, and copyrights, especially as they expand internationally.

Due to the nature of the work, it would help if you had a background in science or technology and a degree in one of those fields, in addition to pursuing your master’s degree. This helps you become more familiar with some of the terminologies used for the tech and products you’re working with.

Executive recruitment agencies and leveraging

industry contacts can help you secure a top-tier remote job

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Today, start researching the certifications, degree programs, and any other criteria you’d need to fulfil as prerequisites for landing your dream $250,000+ remote job. Map out the steps you need to take to achieve your goal, and leverage niche recruitment agencies and industry connections to position you for success