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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Massage Therapists

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Massage Therapists

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Postsecondary nondegree award

☆☆☆☆☆

Postsecondary nondegree award

Median Annual Wage

$55,170

($26.52/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

2.1%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

676

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

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

Medical Assistants

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Postsecondary nondegree award

☆☆☆☆☆

Postsecondary nondegree award

Median Annual Wage

$37,660

($18.11/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.7%

Avg. Annual Openings

Very Strong Opportunity

3,945

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

Psychiatric Technicians

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Postsecondary nondegree award

☆☆☆☆☆

Postsecondary nondegree award

Median Annual Wage

$36,380

($17.49/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.3%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

452

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

Emergency Medical Technicians

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Postsecondary nondegree award

☆☆☆☆☆

Postsecondary nondegree award

Median Annual Wage

$36,530

($17.56/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.2%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

662

Paramedics

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Postsecondary nondegree award

☆☆☆☆☆

Postsecondary nondegree award

Median Annual Wage

$44,180

($21.24/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.2%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

368

Nursing Assistants

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Postsecondary nondegree award

☆☆☆☆☆

Postsecondary nondegree award

Median Annual Wage

$31,850

($15.31/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.1%

Avg. Annual Openings

Very Strong Opportunity

10,583

Surgical Technologists

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Postsecondary nondegree award

☆☆☆☆☆

Postsecondary nondegree award

Median Annual Wage

$49,220

($23.67/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.9%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

320

All Other Health Technologists and Technicians

Star Rating:

Education: Postsecondary nondegree award

Postsecondary nondegree award

Median Annual Wage

$38,100

($18.32/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.9%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

653

Dental Assistants

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Postsecondary nondegree award

☆☆☆☆☆

Postsecondary nondegree award

Median Annual Wage

$46,140

($22.18/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.9%

Avg. Annual Openings

Very Strong Opportunity

1,925

Surgical Assistants

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Postsecondary nondegree award

☆☆☆☆☆

Postsecondary nondegree award

Median Annual Wage

$37,010

($17.79/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.9%

Avg. Annual Openings

Rare 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

Median Annual Wage
Education
Experience Needed
Description

Massage Therapists

$55,170($26.52/hr)

Postsecondary nondegree award

Massage Therapists treat clients by applying pressure to manipulate the body's soft tissues and joints. This treatment may help to relieve pain, heal injuries, relieve stress, and aid in the general wellness of clients.

Athletic Trainers

$48,400 ( - /hr)

Master's degree

None

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

Medical Assistants

$37,660 ($18.11/hr)

Postsecondary nondegree award

None

Medical Assistants complete administrative and clinical tasks in the offices of physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. Their duties vary with the location, specialty, and size of the practice.

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.

Psychiatric Technicians

$36,380 ($17.49/hr)

Postsecondary nondegree award

None

Psychiatric Technicians and aides care for people who have mental or emotional conditions or developmental disabilities. Technicians typically monitor patients' conditions and provide therapeutic care, such as overseeing their medications. Aides help patients in their daily activities and ensure a safe and clean environment.

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.

Emergency Medical Technicians

$36,530 ($17.56/hr)

Postsecondary nondegree award

None

Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) care for the sick or injured in emergency medical settings. People's lives often depend on the quick reaction and competent care provided by these workers. They respond to emergency calls, performing medical services and transporting patients to medical facilities. A 911 operator sends EMTs and paramedics to the scene of an emergency, where they often work with police and firefighters

Paramedics

$44,180 ($21.24/hr)

Postsecondary nondegree award

None

Paramedics care for the sick or injured in emergency medical settings. People's lives often depend on the quick reaction and competent care provided by these workers. They respond to emergency calls, performing medical services and transporting patients to medical facilities. A 911 operator sends EMTs and paramedics to the scene of an emergency, where they often work with police and firefighters

Nursing Assistants

$31,850 ($15.31/hr)

Postsecondary nondegree award

None

Nursing Assistants, sometimes called nursing aides, provide basic care and help patients with activities of daily living.

Surgical Technologists

$49,220 ($23.67/hr)

Postsecondary nondegree award

None

Surgical Technologists help with surgical operations. Sometimes called operating room technicians, they prepare operating rooms, arrange equipment, and help doctors and first assistants during surgeries.

All Other Health Technologists and Technicians

$38,100 ($18.32/hr)

Postsecondary nondegree award

None

Health Technologists and Technicians perform laboratory tests for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease, and can assist physicians with patient care. This category includes all healthcare technologists and technicians not contained somewhere else.

Dental Assistants

$46,140 ($22.18/hr)

Postsecondary nondegree award

None

Dental Assistants have many tasks, including patient care, recordkeeping, and appointment scheduling. Their duties vary by state and by the dentists' offices in which they work.

Surgical Assistants

$37,010 ($17.79/hr)

Postsecondary nondegree award

None

Surgical assistants and technologists help with surgical operations. Surgical assistants, also called surgical first assistants, help surgeons with tasks such as making incisions, placing clamps, and closing surgical sites. Surgical technologists, also called operating room technicians, prepare operating rooms, arrange equipment, and help doctors and first assistants during surgeries.

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.

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