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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Database Architects

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Database Architects

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$123,950

($59.59/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.3%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

192

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Star
Rating

Education
Requirement

Median
Annual Wage

Annual
Growth Rate

Avg. Annual
Openings

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

Statisticians

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Master's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Master's degree

Median Annual Wage

$109,210

($52.51/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

4.0%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

232

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

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:

☆☆☆☆☆

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

Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars

Star Rating:

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Education: Associate's degree

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Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$53,230

($25.59/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

2.3%

Avg. Annual Openings

Few Opportunities

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

Management Analysts

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$98,310

($47.27/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.6%

Avg. Annual Openings

Very Strong Opportunity

3,430

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

Arts, Audio/Video Technology and Communications

Technical Writers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$82,010

($39.43/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.5%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

360

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

Database Administrators

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$103,750

($49.88/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.2%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

271

All Other Biological Scientists

Star Rating:

Education: Bachelor's degree

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$82,690

($39.76/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.1%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

123

All Other Financial Specialists

Star Rating:

Education: Bachelor's degree

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$70,620

($33.95/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.0%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

291

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 Electronics Drafters

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$59,180

($28.45/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.7%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

112

Architectural and Civil Drafters

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$58,700

($28.22/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Slow Growth

0.6%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

328

Mechanical Drafters

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$59,480

($28.60/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

None or Negative Growth

-0.2%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

133

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

Database Architects

$123,950($59.59/hr)

Bachelor's degree

Database Architects create or organize systems to store and secure a variety of data, such as financial information and customer shipping records. They also make sure that the data are available to authorized users.

Statisticians

$109,210 ($52.51/hr)

Master's degree

Less than 5 years

Statisticians analyze data and apply computational techniques to solve problems.

Web Developers

$71,740 ($34.49/hr)

Bachelor's degree

Less than 5 years

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

Less than 5 years

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

Less than 5 years

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

Less than 5 years

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

Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars

$53,230 ($25.59/hr)

Associate's degree

Less than 5 years

Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars advise organizations on computerized healthcare systems and analyze clinical data.

Web and Digital Interface Designers

$75,920 ($36.50/hr)

Bachelor's degree

Less than 5 years

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.

Management Analysts

$98,310 ($47.27/hr)

Bachelor's degree

Less than 5 years

Management Analysts, often called management consultants, recommend ways to improve an organization's efficiency. They advise managers on how to make organizations more profitable through reduced costs and increased revenues.

Electronics Engineers, Except Computer

$98,220 ($47.22/hr)

Bachelor's degree

Less than 5 years

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

Less than 5 years

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

Less than 5 years

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.

Technical Writers

$82,010 ($39.43/hr)

Bachelor's degree

Less than 5 years

Technical Writers, also called technical communicators, prepare instruction manuals, how-to guides, journal articles, and other supporting documents to communicate complex and technical information more easily. They also develop, gather, and disseminate technical information through an organization's communications channels.

Computer Network Support Specialists

$82,050 ($39.45/hr)

Associate's degree

Less than 5 years

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

Project Management Specialists

$93,820 ($45.11/hr)

Bachelor's degree

Less than 5 years

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.

Database Administrators

$103,750 ($49.88/hr)

Bachelor's degree

Less than 5 years

Database Administrators create or organize systems to store and secure a variety of data, such as financial information and customer shipping records. They also make sure that the data are available to authorized users.

All Other Biological Scientists

$82,690 ($39.76/hr)

Bachelor's degree

Less than 5 years

Biological Scientists study and conduct research and analysis on living organisms. This category includes all biological scientists not contained somewhere else.

All Other Financial Specialists

$70,620 ($33.95/hr)

Bachelor's degree

Less than 5 years

Financial Specialists analyze financial information, like market trends or company spending, and develop financial strategies accordingly. This category includes all financial specialists not contained somewhere else.

Sales Engineers

$100,810 ($48.47/hr)

Bachelor's degree

Less than 5 years

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

Less than 5 years

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

Less than 5 years

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

Less than 5 years

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

Less than 5 years

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 Electronics Drafters

$59,180 ($28.45/hr)

Associate's degree

Less than 5 years

Electrical and Electronic Drafters use software to convert the designs of engineers into technical drawings. Workers use technical drawings to help design microchips and other electronics components.

Architectural and Civil Drafters

$58,700 ($28.22/hr)

Associate's degree

Less than 5 years

Architectural and Civil Drafters use software to convert the designs of architects and engineers into technical drawings. Workers use technical drawings to help design buildings, infrastructure and more.

Mechanical Drafters

$59,480 ($28.60/hr)

Associate's degree

Less than 5 years

Mechanical Drafters use software to convert the designs of engineers into technical drawings. Workers use technical drawings to help design mechanical equipment. This category includes all drafters not in the

Computer Programmers

$101,080 ($48.60/hr)

Bachelor's degree

Less than 5 years

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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