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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Registered Nurses

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Registered Nurses

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$76,430

($36.75/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.0%

Avg. Annual Openings

Very Strong Opportunity

8,221

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

Occupational Therapy Assistants

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$65,500

($31.49/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

2.9%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

274

Physical Therapist Assistants

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$61,340

($29.49/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

2.9%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

563

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$37,450

($18.01/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

2.6%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

634

Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$53,230

($25.59/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

2.3%

Avg. Annual Openings

Few Opportunities

Orthotists and Prosthetists

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Master's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Master's degree

Median Annual Wage

$66,170

($31.81/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

2.1%

Avg. Annual Openings

Few Opportunities

Athletic Trainers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Master's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Master's degree

Median Annual Wage

$48,400

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

2.1%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

131

Postsecondary Nursing Instructors and Teachers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Doctoral or professional degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Doctoral or professional degree

Median Annual Wage

$66,200

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.9%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

226

Respiratory Therapists

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$64,390

($30.96/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.8%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

365

Marriage and Family Therapists

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Master's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Master's degree

Median Annual Wage

$47,180

($22.68/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.6%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

100

Child, Family, and School Social Workers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$48,510

($23.32/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.3%

Avg. Annual Openings

Very Strong Opportunity

1,387

Exercise Physiologists

Star Rating:

Education: Bachelor's degree

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$49,780

($23.93/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.2%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Master's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Master's degree

Median Annual Wage

$52,010

($25.00/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.2%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

201

Healthcare Social Workers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Master's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Master's degree

Median Annual Wage

$60,710

($29.19/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.2%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

376

Rehabilitation Counselors

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Master's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Master's degree

Median Annual Wage

$38,440

($18.48/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.2%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

295

Health Education Specialists

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$52,170

($25.08/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.1%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

118

Dietitians and Nutritionists

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$60,110

($28.90/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.1%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

213

Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Master's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Master's degree

Median Annual Wage

$50,820

($24.43/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.0%

Avg. Annual Openings

Very Strong Opportunity

810

Radiologic Technologists and Technicians

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$62,460

($30.03/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.9%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

548

Dietetic Technicians

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$23,390

($11.25/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.8%

Avg. Annual Openings

Rare Opportunity

Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$61,700

($29.66/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.8%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

123

School Psychologists

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Master's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Master's degree

Median Annual Wage

$63,330

($30.45/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Slow Growth

0.6%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

Recreational Therapists

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$48,560

($23.35/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Slow Growth

0.5%

Avg. Annual Openings

Few Opportunities

Embalmers

Star Rating:

Education: Associate's degree

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$50,750

($24.40/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

None or Negative Growth

0.0%

Avg. Annual Openings

Rare Opportunity

Median Annual Wage
Education
Experience Needed
Description

Registered Nurses

$76,430($36.75/hr)

Associate's degree

Registered Nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their families.

Occupational Therapy Assistants

$65,500 ($31.49/hr)

Associate's degree

None

Occupational Therapy Assistants help patients develop, recover, improve, as well as maintain the skills needed for daily living and working. They are directly involved in providing therapy to patients and work under the direction of occupational therapists.

Physical Therapist Assistants

$61,340 ($29.49/hr)

Associate's degree

None

Physical Therapist Assistants, sometimes called PTAs, work under the direction and supervision of physical therapists. They help patients who are recovering from injuries and illnesses to regain movement and manage pain. Physical therapist assistants are involved in the direct care of patients. Physical therapist aides often have tasks that are indirectly related to patient care, such as cleaning and setting up the treatment area, moving patients, and doing clerical duties.

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians

$37,450 ($18.01/hr)

Associate's degree

None

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians, supervised by licensed veterinarians, do medical tests that help diagnose animals' injuries and illnesses.

Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars

$53,230 ($25.59/hr)

Associate's degree

None

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

Orthotists and Prosthetists

$66,170 ($31.81/hr)

Master's degree

None

Orthotists and Prosthetists design and fabricate medical supportive devices and measure and fit patients for them. These devices include artificial limbs (arms, hands, legs, and feet), braces, and other medical or surgical devices.

Athletic Trainers

$48,400 ( - /hr)

Master's degree

None

Athletic Trainers specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating muscle and bone injuries and illnesses.

Postsecondary Nursing Instructors and Teachers

$66,200 ( - /hr)

Doctoral or professional degree

None

Postsecondary Nursing Instructors and Teachers instruct students in a variety of nursing related subjects beyond the high school level. They may also conduct research and publish scholarly papers and books.

Respiratory Therapists

$64,390 ($30.96/hr)

Associate's degree

None

Respiratory Therapists care for patients who have trouble breathing; for example, because of conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Their patients range from premature infants with undeveloped lungs to older adults whose lungs are diseased.

Marriage and Family Therapists

$47,180 ($22.68/hr)

Master's degree

None

Marriage and Family therapists help people manage problems with their family and other relationships.

Child, Family, and School Social Workers

$48,510 ($23.32/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

Child, Family, and School Social Workers help individuals, groups, and families prevent and cope with problems in their everyday lives.

Exercise Physiologists

$49,780 ($23.93/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

Exercise Physiologists develop fitness and exercise programs that help patients recover from chronic diseases and improve cardiovascular function, body composition, and flexibility.

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

$52,010 ($25.00/hr)

Master's degree

None

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers help individuals, groups, and families prevent and cope with problems in their everyday lives. Clinical social workers diagnose and treat mental, behavioral, and emotional problems.

Healthcare Social Workers

$60,710 ($29.19/hr)

Master's degree

None

Healthcare Social Workers help individuals, groups, and families prevent and cope with problems in their everyday lives.

Rehabilitation Counselors

$38,440 ($18.48/hr)

Master's degree

None

Rehabilitation Counselors help people with physical, mental, developmental, or emotional disabilities live independently. They work with clients to overcome or manage the personal, social, or psychological effects of disabilities on employment or independent living.

Health Education Specialists

$52,170 ($25.08/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

Health Education Specialists teach people about behaviors that promote wellness. They develop strategies to improve the well-being of individuals and communities. Community health workers advocate for residents' needs with healthcare providers and social service organizations. They implement wellness strategies by collecting data and discussing health concerns with members of specific populations. Although the two occupations often work together, the responsibilities of health education specialists and community health workers are distinct.

Dietitians and Nutritionists

$60,110 ($28.90/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

Dietitians and Nutritionists are experts in the use of food and nutrition to promote health and manage disease. They plan and conduct food service or nutritional programs to help people lead healthy lives.

Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors

$50,820 ($24.43/hr)

Master's degree

None

Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors counselors help students develop academic and social skills and plans for after graduation. Career counselors and advisors help students and other clients develop skills, explore an occupation, or choose an educational program that will lead to a career.

Radiologic Technologists and Technicians

$62,460 ($30.03/hr)

Associate's degree

None

Radiologic Technologists, also known as radiographers, perform x rays and other diagnostic imaging examinations on patients.

Dietetic Technicians

$23,390 ($11.25/hr)

Associate's degree

None

Dietetic Technicians assist in the provision of food service and nutritional programs, under the supervision of a dietitian. They may also plan and produce meals based on established guidelines, teach principles of food and nutrition, or counsel individuals.

Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians

$61,700 ($29.66/hr)

Associate's degree

None

Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians operate special equipment to create images or conduct tests. They work closely with physicians and surgeons, who view the images and test results to assess and diagnose medical conditions.

School Psychologists

$63,330 ($30.45/hr)

Master's degree

None

School Psychologists diagnose and implement individual or schoolwide interventions or strategies to address educational, behavioral, or developmental issues that adversely impact educational functioning in a school.

Recreational Therapists

$48,560 ($23.35/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

Recreational Therapists plan, direct, and coordinate recreation-based medical treatment programs to help maintain or improve patients' physical, social, and emotional well-being. These therapists use a variety of techniques, including art expression, drama, music, dance, sports and games, aquatics, and community outings.

Embalmers

$50,750 ($24.40/hr)

Associate's degree

None

Embalmers prepare bodies for interment in conformity with legal requirements.

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