Career Tree | NC Careers.org

Career Plan Builder Landing Image NCcareers.org now offers you a personal career GPS! Map your path to success with our Career Plan Builder. This personalized platform assesses your unique skills and aspirations, providing a step-by-step roadmap to your dream career. Update your goals, track your progress, and access targeted resources - all in one place.

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Is it too early to think about careers?

Middle and High School is the perfect time to start thinking about careers. Learn about the advantages of thinking about careers at a young age.

Why should I see my Career Development Coordinator (CDC)?

Career development and Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses help you plan and gain skills for success in your future career. Learn about CTE, Internships, and more from your CDC.

Why should I see my school counselor?

Learn about the services and assistance your school counselor provides and how they can help you with your career planning.

What is Career and Technical Education (CTE)?

Gain skills and career experience through CTE. Learn about courses, clusters, work-based learning, student organizations (CTSOs), NTHS, industry credentials, free college courses and more.

Why should I see my NC Career Coach?

Learn about how these NC Community College staff members can help.

Can I talk to a career counselor if I’m not in school?

NCWorks has programs that can help with career planning and more…

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Start building your future career today.

By Education

Use your education as a starting point in your journey. Choose a type of education and search for a program to see which occupations best match your education. Click the add education button if you want to include additional education types.

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By Current Occupation

Use your current job or any occupation you desire as the starting point in your career journey. Type in an occupation name to learn what is next in line on your career journey.

By Goal Career

This tool can help you understand a potential pathway to a goal career. First start with your goal career. Next, add a starting education or occupation. Now start building. You'll then be presented below with jobs that have similar job skills or job duties to your dream job but typically pay less.

First Step

Your Journey Overview
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Industrial Production Managers

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Industrial Production Managers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$103,780

($49.90/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.9%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

652

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Star
Rating

Education
Requirement

Median
Annual Wage

Annual
Growth Rate

Avg. Annual
Openings

Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics

Logisticians

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$68,410

($32.89/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

3.5%

Avg. Annual Openings

Very Strong Opportunity

969

Medical Equipment Repairers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$62,420

($30.01/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

2.3%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

361

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

Mining and Geological Engineers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$67,720

($32.56/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.9%

Avg. Annual Openings

Rare Opportunity

Industrial Engineers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$86,390

($41.53/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.7%

Avg. Annual Openings

Very Strong Opportunity

818

Soil and Plant Scientists

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$73,000

($35.10/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.5%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

274

Civil Engineers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$81,230

($39.05/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.5%

Avg. Annual Openings

Very Strong Opportunity

1,107

Project Management Specialists

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$93,820

($45.11/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.3%

Avg. Annual Openings

Very Strong Opportunity

2,523

Materials Engineers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$91,900

($44.18/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.3%

Avg. Annual Openings

Rare Opportunity

Environmental Science and Protection Technicians

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$45,830

($22.03/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.3%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

118

Mechanical Engineers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$84,330

($40.55/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.3%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

711

Environmental Scientists and Specialists

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$64,530

($31.02/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.2%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

446

Conservation Scientists

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$60,110

($28.90/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.2%

Avg. Annual Openings

Few Opportunities

All Other Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians

Star Rating:

Education: Associate's degree

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$62,450

($30.02/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.2%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

207

Calibration Technologists and Technicians

Star Rating:

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Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$62,400

($30.00/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.1%

Avg. Annual Openings

Few Opportunities

Compliance Officers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$65,970

($31.72/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.1%

Avg. Annual Openings

Very Strong Opportunity

869

Environmental Engineers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$93,470

($44.94/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.1%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

Food Scientists and Technologists

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$49,290

($23.70/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.1%

Avg. Annual Openings

Few Opportunities

All Other Business Operations Specialists

Star Rating:

Education: Bachelor's degree

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$68,380

($32.87/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.1%

Avg. Annual Openings

Very Strong Opportunity

3,686

Chemists

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$75,390

($36.24/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.0%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

472

Facilities Managers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$92,460

($44.45/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.0%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

335

Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$54,450

($26.18/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.9%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

Occupational Health and Safety Specialists

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$74,530

($35.83/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.9%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

369

Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$58,210

($27.99/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.9%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

285

Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$47,730

($22.95/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.8%

Avg. Annual Openings

Rare Opportunity

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians

Star Rating:

Education: Associate's degree

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$57,970

($27.87/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.7%

Avg. Annual Openings

Rare Opportunity

Agricultural Technicians

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$37,110

($17.84/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.7%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$55,330

($26.60/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Slow Growth

0.6%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

318

Chemical Technicians

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$49,670

($23.88/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Slow Growth

0.6%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

332

Forest and Conservation Technicians

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$41,700

($20.05/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Slow Growth

0.5%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

100

Agricultural Inspectors

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$44,720

($21.50/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Slow Growth

0.4%

Avg. Annual Openings

Few Opportunities

Cost Estimators

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$62,400

($30.00/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Slow Growth

0.4%

Avg. Annual Openings

Very Strong Opportunity

781

Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$63,840

($30.69/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Slow Growth

0.2%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

338

Food Science Technicians

Star Rating:

Education: Associate's degree

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$44,320

($21.31/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Slow Growth

0.1%

Avg. Annual Openings

Few Opportunities

Postsecondary Career/Technical Education Teachers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$56,360

($27.10/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

None or Negative Growth

-0.1%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

658

Median Annual Wage
Education
Experience Needed
Description

Industrial Production Managers

$103,780($49.90/hr)

Bachelor's degree

Industrial Production Managers oversee the operations of manufacturing and related plants. They coordinate, plan, and direct activities involved in creating a range of goods, such as cars, computer equipment, and paper products.

Logisticians

$68,410 ($32.89/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

Logisticians analyze and coordinate an organization's supply chain: the system that moves a product from supplier to consumer. They manage the entire life cycle of a product, which includes how a product is acquired, allocated, and delivered.

Medical Equipment Repairers

$62,420 ($30.01/hr)

Associate's degree

5 years or more

Medical equipment repairers install, maintain, and repair patient care equipment.

Mining and Geological Engineers

$67,720 ($32.56/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

Mining and Geological Engineers design mines to safely and efficiently remove minerals such as coal and metals for use in manufacturing and utilities.

Industrial Engineers

$86,390 ($41.53/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

Industrial Engineers find ways to eliminate wastefulness in production processes. They devise efficient systems that integrate workers, machines, materials, information, and energy to make a product or provide a service.

Soil and Plant Scientists

$73,000 ($35.10/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

Soil and Plant Scientists conduct research in breeding, physiology, production, yield, and management of crops, trees, shrubs, and nursery stock. They study the chemical composition of soils as they relate to plant or crop growth.

Civil Engineers

$81,230 ($39.05/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

Civil Engineers conceive, design, build, supervise, operate, construct and maintain infrastructure projects and systems in the public and private sector, including roads, buildings, airports, tunnels, dams, bridges, and systems for water supply and sewage treatment. Many civil engineers work in planning, design, construction, research, and education.

Project Management Specialists

$93,820 ($45.11/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

Project Management Specialists coordinate the budget, schedule, and other details of a project. They lead and guide the work of technical staff. Project management specialists also may serve as a point of contact for the client or customer.

Materials Engineers

$91,900 ($44.18/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

Materials Engineers develop, process, and test materials used to create a range of products, from computer chips and aircraft wings to golf clubs and biomedical devices. They study the properties and structures of metals, ceramics, plastics, composites, nanomaterials (extremely small substances), and other substances in order to create new materials that meet certain mechanical, electrical, and chemical requirements. They also help select materials for specific products and develop new ways to use existing materials.

Environmental Science and Protection Technicians

$45,830 ($22.03/hr)

Associate's degree

5 years or more

Environmental Science and Protection Technicians monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution and contamination, including those affecting public health.

Mechanical Engineers

$84,330 ($40.55/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

Mechanical Engineers research, design, develop, build, and test mechanical and thermal sensors and devices, including tools, engines, and machines.

Environmental Scientists and Specialists

$64,530 ($31.02/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

Environmental Scientists and Specialists use their knowledge of the natural sciences to protect the environment and human health. They may clean up polluted areas, advise policymakers, or work with industry to reduce waste.

Conservation Scientists

$60,110 ($28.90/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

Conservation Scientists manage the land quality of forests, parks, rangelands, and other natural resources.

All Other Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians

$62,450 ($30.02/hr)

Associate's degree

5 years or more

Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians support scientists and engineers in many facets of science. This category includes all life, physical, and social science technicians not contained somewhere else.

Calibration Technologists and Technicians

$62,400 ($30.00/hr)

Associate's degree

5 years or more

Calibration Technologists and Technicians execute or adapt procedures and techniques for calibrating measurement devices, by applying knowledge of measurement science, mathematics, physics, chemistry, and electronics, sometimes under the direction of engineering staff. They determine measurement standard suitability for calibrating measurement devices, and may perform preventive maintenance on equipment. They also can perform corrective actions to address identified calibration problems.

Compliance Officers

$65,970 ($31.72/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

Compliance Officers examine, evaluate, and investigate eligibility for or conformity with laws and regulations governing contract compliance of licenses and permits, and perform other compliance and enforcement inspection and analysis activities not classified elsewhere.

Environmental Engineers

$93,470 ($44.94/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

Environmental Engineers use the principles of engineering, soil science, biology, and chemistry to develop solutions to environmental problems. They work to improve recycling, waste disposal, public health, and water and air pollution control. They also address global issues, such as unsafe drinking water, climate change, and environmental sustainability.

Food Scientists and Technologists

$49,290 ($23.70/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

Food Scientists and Technologists use chemistry, microbiology, engineering, and other sciences to study the principles related to processing and deterioration of foods.

All Other Business Operations Specialists

$68,380 ($32.87/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

Business Operations Specialists are consultants who offer knowledge to help a business improve its operations. This category includes all business operations specialists not contained somewhere else.

Chemists

$75,390 ($36.24/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

Chemists research and analyze the chemical properties of substances to develop new materials, products, or knowledge.

Facilities Managers

$92,460 ($44.45/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

Facilities Managers plan, direct, or coordinate operations and functionalities of facilities and buildings. This may include surrounding grounds or multiple facilities of an organization's campus.

Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians

$54,450 ($26.18/hr)

Associate's degree

5 years or more

Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians help mechanical engineers design, develop, test, and manufacture tools, engines, machines, and other devices. They may make sketches and rough layouts, record and analyze data, and report their findings.

Occupational Health and Safety Specialists

$74,530 ($35.83/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

Occupational Health and Safety Specialists collect data on, analyze, and design improvements to many types of work environments and procedures. They inspect workplaces and enforce adherence to regulations on safety, health, and the environment.

Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians

$58,210 ($27.99/hr)

Associate's degree

5 years or more

Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians help engineers solve problems affecting manufacturing layout or production. They prepare machinery and equipment plans, design workflows, conduct statistical production studies, and analyze production costs.

Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians

$47,730 ($22.95/hr)

Associate's degree

5 years or more

Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians carry out the plans that environmental engineers develop.

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians

$57,970 ($27.87/hr)

Associate's degree

5 years or more

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians install, run, and maintain equipment used to develop, test, produce, and sustain aircraft and spacecraft. Their work is critical to ensuring the safety and precision of key parts of these vehicles and systems.

Agricultural Technicians

$37,110 ($17.84/hr)

Associate's degree

5 years or more

Agricultural Technicians assist agricultural and food scientists by performing duties such as measuring and analyzing the quality of food and agricultural products. Duties range from performing agricultural labor with added recordkeeping duties to laboratory testing with significant amounts of office work, depending on the particular field the technician works in.

Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians

$55,330 ($26.60/hr)

Associate's degree

5 years or more

Civil engineering technologists and technicians help civil engineers plan, design, and build highways, bridges, utilities, and other infrastructure projects. They also help to plan, design, and build commercial, industrial, residential, and land development projects.

Chemical Technicians

$49,670 ($23.88/hr)

Associate's degree

5 years or more

Chemical Technicians use laboratory instruments and techniques to help scientists analyze the properties of materials.

Forest and Conservation Technicians

$41,700 ($20.05/hr)

Associate's degree

5 years or more

Forest and Conservation Technicians provide technical assistance regarding the conservation of soil, water, forests, or related natural resources. They compile data pertaining to size, content, condition, and other characteristics of forest tracts under the direction of foresters, or train and lead forest workers in forest propagation and fire prevention and suppression. They may assist conservation scientists in managing, improving, and protecting rangelands and wildlife habitats.

Agricultural Inspectors

$44,720 ($21.50/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

Agricultural Inspectors investigate agricultural commodities, processing equipment, facilities, and fish and logging operations, to ensure compliance with regulations and laws governing health, quality, and safety.

Cost Estimators

$62,400 ($30.00/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

Cost Estimators collect and analyze data in order to assess the time, money, materials, and labor required to manufacture a product, construct a building, or provide a service. They generally specialize in a particular product or industry.

Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians

$63,840 ($30.69/hr)

Associate's degree

5 years or more

Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians help electrical and electronics engineers plan and develop communications equipment, computers, medical monitoring devices, or other equipment that is powered by other electricity or electric current. They often work in product evaluation and testing, using measuring and diagnostic devices to test, adjust, and repair equipment. They are also involved in assembling equipment for automation.

Food Science Technicians

$44,320 ($21.31/hr)

Associate's degree

5 years or more

Food Science Technicians assist agricultural and food scientists by performing duties such as measuring and analyzing the quality of food and agricultural products. Duties range from performing agricultural labor with added recordkeeping duties to laboratory testing with significant amounts of office work, depending on the particular field the technician works in.

Postsecondary Career/Technical Education Teachers

$56,360 ($27.10/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

Postsecondary Career and Technical Education (CTE) Teachers provide training in subjects such as auto repair, cosmetology, and culinary arts. They teach vocational and technical content to give students the skills and knowledge necessary to enter an occupation.

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