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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Industrial Engineers

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Drop here

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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:

☆☆☆☆☆

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

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

Arts, Audio/Video Technology and Communications

Commercial and Industrial Designers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$70,360

($33.83/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.9%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

111

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

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

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

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

Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$49,370

($23.74/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Slow Growth

0.2%

Avg. Annual Openings

Few Opportunities

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

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

Industrial Engineers

$86,390($41.53/hr)

Bachelor's degree

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.

Logisticians

$68,410 ($32.89/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

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

None

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

Avionics Technicians

$60,650 ($29.16/hr)

Associate's degree

None

Avionics Technicians repair and perform scheduled maintenance on aircraft.

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.

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.

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.

All Other Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians

$62,450 ($30.02/hr)

Associate's degree

None

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

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.

Occupational Health and Safety Specialists

$74,530 ($35.83/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

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.

Commercial and Industrial Designers

$70,360 ($33.83/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

Commercial and Industrial Designers design and develop manufactured products, such as cars, home appliances, and children's toys. Combine artistic talent with research on product use, marketing, and materials to create the most functional and appealing product design.

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.

Electrical and Electronics Drafters

$59,180 ($28.45/hr)

Associate's degree

None

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

None

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.

Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians

$55,330 ($26.60/hr)

Associate's degree

None

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

None

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

Agricultural Inspectors

$44,720 ($21.50/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

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

None

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.

Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians

$49,370 ($23.74/hr)

Associate's degree

None

Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and technicians combine knowledge of mechanical technology with knowledge of electrical and electronic circuitry. They operate, test, and maintain unmanned, automated, robotic, or electromechanical equipment.

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.

Food Science Technicians

$44,320 ($21.31/hr)

Associate's degree

None

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

None

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.

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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