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
Compare Occupations

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Chemical Engineers

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Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

Chemical Engineers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$98,510

($47.36/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

2.1%

Avg. Annual Openings

Few Opportunities

Choose your next step from the list below.

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Star
Rating

Education
Requirement

Median
Annual Wage

Annual
Growth Rate

Avg. Annual
Openings

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

Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$83,470

($40.13/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

2.2%

Avg. Annual Openings

Few Opportunities

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

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

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

Calibration Technologists and Technicians

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Median Annual Wage
Education
Experience Needed
Description

Chemical Engineers

$98,510($47.36/hr)

Bachelor's degree

Chemical Engineers apply the principles of chemistry, biology, physics, and math to solve problems that involve the production or use of chemicals, fuel, drugs, food, and many other products. They design processes and equipment for large-scale manufacturing, plan and test production methods and byproducts treatment, and direct facility operations.

Medical Equipment Repairers

$62,420 ($30.01/hr)

Associate's degree

None

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

Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers

$83,470 ($40.13/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers combine engineering principles with sciences to design and create equipment, devices, computer systems, and software.

Mining and Geological Engineers

$67,720 ($32.56/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

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

None

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.

Civil Engineers

$81,230 ($39.05/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

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.

Environmental Science and Protection Technicians

$45,830 ($22.03/hr)

Associate's degree

None

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

None

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

None

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.

Calibration Technologists and Technicians

$62,400 ($30.00/hr)

Associate's degree

None

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.

Food Scientists and Technologists

$49,290 ($23.70/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

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

Chemists

$75,390 ($36.24/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

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

Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians

$54,450 ($26.18/hr)

Associate's degree

None

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.

All Other Engineering Technologists and Technicians

$69,250 ($33.29/hr)

Associate's degree

None

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.

Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians

$58,210 ($27.99/hr)

Associate's degree

None

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

None

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

None

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.

Chemical Technicians

$49,670 ($23.88/hr)

Associate's degree

None

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

Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians

$63,840 ($30.69/hr)

Associate's degree

None

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.

Mechanical Drafters

$59,480 ($28.60/hr)

Associate's degree

None

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

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