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…

Next Step

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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Computer Network Architects

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Computer Network Architects

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$112,900

($54.28/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.9%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

484

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Star
Rating

Education
Requirement

Median
Annual Wage

Annual
Growth Rate

Avg. Annual
Openings

Web Developers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$71,740

($34.49/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

3.5%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

348

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

Computer and Information Research Scientists

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Master's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Master's degree

Median Annual Wage

$101,340

($48.72/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

2.7%

Avg. Annual Openings

Rare Opportunity

Operations Research Analysts

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$96,450

($46.37/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

2.7%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

232

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

Star Rating:

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Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$97,700

($46.97/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

2.6%

Avg. Annual Openings

Very Strong Opportunity

998

Web and Digital Interface Designers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$75,920

($36.50/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

2.2%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

507

Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers

Star Rating:

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Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$56,160

($27.00/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

2.2%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

112

Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics

Avionics Technicians

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$60,650

($29.16/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

2.0%

Avg. Annual Openings

Few Opportunities

Electronics Engineers, Except Computer

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$98,220

($47.22/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.6%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

201

All Other Computer Occupations

Star Rating:

Education: Bachelor's degree

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$96,140

($46.22/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.6%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

688

Computer Systems Analysts

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$99,280

($47.73/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.5%

Avg. Annual Openings

Very Strong Opportunity

2,301

Computer Network Support Specialists

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$82,050

($39.45/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.3%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

414

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

Arts, Audio/Video Technology and Communications

Broadcast Technicians

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$46,240

($22.23/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.3%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

114

Producers and Directors

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$64,290

($30.91/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.1%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

411

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

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

All Other Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Star Rating:

Education: Associate's degree

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$69,250

($33.29/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.9%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

196

Sales Engineers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$100,810

($48.47/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.9%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

211

Network and Computer Systems Administrators

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$83,550

($40.17/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.8%

Avg. Annual Openings

Very Strong Opportunity

817

Electrical Engineers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$100,120

($48.13/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.7%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

432

Postsecondary Computer Science Teachers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Doctoral or professional degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Doctoral or professional degree

Median Annual Wage

$68,010

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.7%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

135

All Other Engineers

Star Rating:

Education: Bachelor's degree

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$102,620

($49.34/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.7%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

187

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

Computer Programmers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$101,080

($48.60/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

None or Negative Growth

-0.8%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

349

Median Annual Wage
Education
Experience Needed
Description

Computer Network Architects

$112,900($54.28/hr)

Bachelor's degree

Computer Network Architects design and build data communication networks, including local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and Intranets. These networks range from small connections between two offices to next-generation networking capabilities such as a cloud infrastructure that serves multiple customers. Network architects must have extensive knowledge of an organization's business plan to design a network that can help the organization achieve its goals.

Web Developers

$71,740 ($34.49/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

Web Developers create and maintain websites. They are also responsible for the site's technical aspects, such as its performance and capacity, which are measures of a website's speed and how much traffic the site can handle. In addition, web developers may create content for the site.

Computer and Information Research Scientists

$101,340 ($48.72/hr)

Master's degree

5 years or more

Computer and Information Research Scientists design innovative uses for new and existing technology. They study and solve complex problems in computing for business, science, medicine, and other fields.

Operations Research Analysts

$96,450 ($46.37/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

Operations Research Analysts use mathematics and logic to help organizations make informed decisions and solve problems.

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

$97,700 ($46.97/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers design and execute software tests to identify problems and learn how the software works.

Web and Digital Interface Designers

$75,920 ($36.50/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

Web and Digital Interface Designers develop, create, and test website or interface layout, functions, and navigation for usability. They are responsible for the look and functionality of the website or interface.

Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers

$56,160 ($27.00/hr)

Associate's degree

5 years or more

Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers install, maintain, or repair mobile or stationary radio transmitting, broadcasting, and receiving equipment, and two-way radio communications systems used in cellular telecommunications, mobile broadband, ship-to-shore, aircraft-to-ground communications, and radio equipment in service and emergency vehicles. They may test and analyze network coverage.

Avionics Technicians

$60,650 ($29.16/hr)

Associate's degree

5 years or more

Avionics Technicians repair and perform scheduled maintenance on aircraft.

Electronics Engineers, Except Computer

$98,220 ($47.22/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

Electronics Engineers design and develop electronic equipment, including broadcast and communications systems, such as portable music players and Global Positioning System (GPS) devices. Many also work in areas closely related to computer hardware.

All Other Computer Occupations

$96,140 ($46.22/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

Computer Occupations include personnel who work on computers, including IT, computer systems, and security. This category includes all computer occupations not contained somewhere else.

Computer Systems Analysts

$99,280 ($47.73/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

Computer Systems Analysts, sometimes called systems architects, study an organization's current computer systems and procedures and design improvements to them. In doing so, these analysts help the organization operate more efficiently.

Computer Network Support Specialists

$82,050 ($39.45/hr)

Associate's degree

5 years or more

Computer Networks Support Specialists assist computer users and organizations by maintaining computer networks.

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.

Broadcast Technicians

$46,240 ($22.23/hr)

Associate's degree

5 years or more

Broadcast technicians set up, operate, and maintain the electrical equipment for radio programs, television broadcasts, concerts, sound recordings, and movies.

Producers and Directors

$64,290 ($30.91/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

Producers and Directors make business and creative decisions about, film, television, stage, and other productions. They interpret a writer's script to entertain, inform, or instruct an audience.

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.

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.

All Other Engineering Technologists and Technicians

$69,250 ($33.29/hr)

Associate's degree

5 years or more

Engineering Technologists and Technicians support engineers in their duties, usually working on teams. They make sure that all machinery and tools being used remain functional. This category includes all engineering technologists and technicians not contained somewhere else.

Sales Engineers

$100,810 ($48.47/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

Sales Engineers sell complex scientific and technological products or services to businesses. They must have extensive knowledge of the products' parts and functions and must understand the scientific processes that make these products work.

Network and Computer Systems Administrators

$83,550 ($40.17/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

Network and Computer Systems Administrators are responsible for the day-to-day operation of these networks. They organize, install, and support an organization's computer systems, including local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), network segments, intranets, and other data communication systems.

Electrical Engineers

$100,120 ($48.13/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

Electrical Engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacture of electrical equipment, such as electric motors, radar and navigation systems, communications systems, or power generation equipment. Electrical engineers also design the electrical systems of automobiles and aircraft.

Postsecondary Computer Science Teachers

$68,010 ( - /hr)

Doctoral or professional degree

5 years or more

Postsecondary Computer Science Teachers instruct students in a variety of computer science related subjects beyond the high school level. They may also conduct research and publish scholarly papers and books.

All Other Engineers

$102,620 ($49.34/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

Engineers are professionals that use math and science to solve technical problems. This normally includes creating, improving, or repairing systems or products. This category includes all engineers not contained somewhere else.

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.

Computer Programmers

$101,080 ($48.60/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

Computer Programmers write, modify, and test code and scripts that allow computer software and applications to function properly. They turn the designs created by software developers and engineers into instructions that a computer can follow. In addition, programmers run tests to ensure that newly created applications and software produce the expected results. If the products do not work correctly, programmers check the code or scripts for mistakes and modify them.

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