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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Start Planning
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.
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.
Learn about the services and assistance your school counselor provides and how they can help you with your career planning.
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.
Learn about how these NC Community College staff members can help.
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.
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
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$65,720
($31.60/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
None or Negative Growth
-0.2%
Avg. Annual Openings
Rare Opportunity
17
Choose your next step from the list below.
Sort By
98
Education
Requirement
Requirement
Median
Annual Wage
Annual Wage
Annual
Growth Rate
Growth Rate
Avg. Annual
Openings
Openings
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$36,300
($17.45/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Very Strong Growth
5.7%
Avg. Annual Openings
Average Opportunity
85
Education: Postsecondary nondegree award
Postsecondary nondegree award
Median Annual Wage
$59,020
($28.37/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Very Strong Growth
3.1%
Avg. Annual Openings
Average Opportunity
75
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$56,260
($27.05/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Very Strong Growth
2.3%
Avg. Annual Openings
Very Strong Opportunity
1,810
Education: No formal educational credential
No formal educational credential
Median Annual Wage
$31,270
($15.04/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Very Strong Growth
2.0%
Avg. Annual Openings
Few Opportunities
35
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$41,640
($20.02/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Very Strong Growth
1.9%
Avg. Annual Openings
Few Opportunities
38
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$37,420
($17.99/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Very Strong Growth
1.8%
Avg. Annual Openings
Average Opportunity
131
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$46,100
($22.17/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Very Strong Growth
1.7%
Avg. Annual Openings
Average Opportunity
156
Education: No formal educational credential
No formal educational credential
Median Annual Wage
$43,460
($20.90/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Very Strong Growth
1.7%
Avg. Annual Openings
Few Opportunities
67
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$53,720
($25.83/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Very Strong Growth
1.6%
Avg. Annual Openings
Strong Opportunity
690
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$36,430
($17.51/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Very Strong Growth
1.6%
Avg. Annual Openings
Few Opportunities
61
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$39,540
($19.01/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Very Strong Growth
1.5%
Avg. Annual Openings
Strong Opportunity
255
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$46,820
($22.51/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Very Strong Growth
1.5%
Avg. Annual Openings
Few Opportunities
47
Education: No formal educational credential
No formal educational credential
Median Annual Wage
$43,930
($21.12/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Very Strong Growth
1.5%
Avg. Annual Openings
Average Opportunity
121
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$38,340
($18.44/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Very Strong Growth
1.5%
Avg. Annual Openings
Rare Opportunity
2
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$49,020
($23.57/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Very Strong Growth
1.5%
Avg. Annual Openings
Very Strong Opportunity
2,628
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$46,490
($22.35/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Very Strong Growth
1.4%
Avg. Annual Openings
Strong Opportunity
725
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$49,980
($24.03/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Very Strong Growth
1.4%
Avg. Annual Openings
Strong Opportunity
417
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$36,720
($17.65/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Strong Growth
1.3%
Avg. Annual Openings
Strong Opportunity
488
Education: Postsecondary nondegree award
Postsecondary nondegree award
Median Annual Wage
$48,000
($23.08/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Strong Growth
1.3%
Avg. Annual Openings
Very Strong Opportunity
2,075
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$40,010
($19.24/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Strong Growth
1.2%
Avg. Annual Openings
Average Opportunity
147
Education: No formal educational credential
No formal educational credential
Median Annual Wage
$36,270
($17.44/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Strong Growth
1.2%
Avg. Annual Openings
Average Opportunity
110
Education: No formal educational credential
No formal educational credential
Median Annual Wage
$41,550
($19.98/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Strong Growth
1.2%
Avg. Annual Openings
Average Opportunity
194
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$46,360
($22.29/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Strong Growth
1.2%
Avg. Annual Openings
Very Strong Opportunity
1,441
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$49,670
($23.88/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Strong Growth
1.1%
Avg. Annual Openings
Average Opportunity
179
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$44,370
($21.33/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Strong Growth
1.1%
Avg. Annual Openings
Very Strong Opportunity
751
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$45,380
($21.82/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Strong Growth
1.1%
Avg. Annual Openings
Very Strong Opportunity
1,855
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$49,600
($23.85/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Strong Growth
1.1%
Avg. Annual Openings
Average Opportunity
84
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$47,170
($22.68/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Strong Growth
1.1%
Avg. Annual Openings
Average Opportunity
198
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$48,510
($23.32/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Strong Growth
1.1%
Avg. Annual Openings
Strong Opportunity
381
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$47,860
($23.01/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Strong Growth
1.1%
Avg. Annual Openings
Rare Opportunity
12
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$41,150
($19.79/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Strong Growth
1.0%
Avg. Annual Openings
Strong Opportunity
687
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$46,350
($22.28/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Strong Growth
1.0%
Avg. Annual Openings
Strong Opportunity
256
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$39,990
($19.23/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Strong Growth
1.0%
Avg. Annual Openings
Strong Opportunity
494
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$47,200
($22.69/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Strong Growth
1.0%
Avg. Annual Openings
Very Strong Opportunity
1,763
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$46,480
($22.34/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Strong Growth
1.0%
Avg. Annual Openings
Few Opportunities
42
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$31,200
($15.00/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Strong Growth
1.0%
Avg. Annual Openings
Strong Opportunity
471
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$45,900
($22.07/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Strong Growth
1.0%
Avg. Annual Openings
Average Opportunity
138
Education: Postsecondary nondegree award
Postsecondary nondegree award
Median Annual Wage
$46,420
($22.32/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Strong Growth
1.0%
Avg. Annual Openings
Few Opportunities
63
Education: No formal educational credential
No formal educational credential
Median Annual Wage
$32,290
($15.53/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Strong Growth
1.0%
Avg. Annual Openings
Few Opportunities
33
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$35,280
($16.96/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Strong Growth
1.0%
Avg. Annual Openings
Strong Opportunity
402
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$42,020
($20.20/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Strong Growth
1.0%
Avg. Annual Openings
Strong Opportunity
591
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$50,290
($24.18/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Strong Growth
1.0%
Avg. Annual Openings
Very Strong Opportunity
1,171
Education: No formal educational credential
No formal educational credential
Median Annual Wage
$48,550
($23.34/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Strong Growth
1.0%
Avg. Annual Openings
Rare Opportunity
15
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$50,220
($24.14/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Average Growth
0.9%
Avg. Annual Openings
Few Opportunities
43
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$47,220
($22.70/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Average Growth
0.9%
Avg. Annual Openings
Very Strong Opportunity
1,910
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$52,730
($25.35/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Average Growth
0.9%
Avg. Annual Openings
Few Opportunities
61
Education: Postsecondary nondegree award
Postsecondary nondegree award
Median Annual Wage
$45,350
($21.80/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Average Growth
0.9%
Avg. Annual Openings
Very Strong Opportunity
3,248
Education: No formal educational credential
No formal educational credential
Median Annual Wage
$43,130
($20.74/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Average Growth
0.9%
Avg. Annual Openings
Strong Opportunity
321
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$41,700
($20.05/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Average Growth
0.9%
Avg. Annual Openings
Strong Opportunity
255
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$44,720
($21.50/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Average Growth
0.9%
Avg. Annual Openings
Rare Opportunity
5
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$40,900
($19.66/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Average Growth
0.9%
Avg. Annual Openings
Very Strong Opportunity
5,597
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$38,500
($18.51/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Average Growth
0.8%
Avg. Annual Openings
Average Opportunity
219
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$48,220
($23.18/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Average Growth
0.8%
Avg. Annual Openings
Average Opportunity
82
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$55,260
($26.57/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Average Growth
0.8%
Avg. Annual Openings
Average Opportunity
134
Education: No formal educational credential
No formal educational credential
Median Annual Wage
$43,840
($21.08/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Average Growth
0.8%
Avg. Annual Openings
Rare Opportunity
8
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$44,420
($21.36/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Average Growth
0.7%
Avg. Annual Openings
Few Opportunities
44
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$46,500
($22.36/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Average Growth
0.7%
Avg. Annual Openings
Average Opportunity
117
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$44,980
($21.63/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Average Growth
0.7%
Avg. Annual Openings
Very Strong Opportunity
2,339
Education: No formal educational credential
No formal educational credential
Median Annual Wage
$36,850
($17.71/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Average Growth
0.7%
Avg. Annual Openings
Very Strong Opportunity
795
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$40,490
($19.47/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Average Growth
0.7%
Avg. Annual Openings
Strong Opportunity
621
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$46,000
($22.12/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Average Growth
0.7%
Avg. Annual Openings
Average Opportunity
148
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$46,860
($22.53/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Slow Growth
0.6%
Avg. Annual Openings
Strong Opportunity
400
Education: No formal educational credential
No formal educational credential
Median Annual Wage
$39,350
($18.92/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Slow Growth
0.6%
Avg. Annual Openings
Strong Opportunity
370
Education: No formal educational credential
No formal educational credential
Median Annual Wage
$36,210
($17.41/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Slow Growth
0.6%
Avg. Annual Openings
Average Opportunity
84
Education: Postsecondary nondegree award
Postsecondary nondegree award
Median Annual Wage
$37,450
($18.00/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Slow Growth
0.6%
Avg. Annual Openings
Rare Opportunity
11
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$47,360
($22.77/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Slow Growth
0.5%
Avg. Annual Openings
Average Opportunity
98
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$59,090
($28.41/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Slow Growth
0.4%
Avg. Annual Openings
Rare Opportunity
3
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$36,080
($17.35/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Slow Growth
0.4%
Avg. Annual Openings
Very Strong Opportunity
802
Education: No formal educational credential
No formal educational credential
Median Annual Wage
$44,860
($21.57/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Slow Growth
0.3%
Avg. Annual Openings
Strong Opportunity
635
Education: Postsecondary nondegree award
Postsecondary nondegree award
Median Annual Wage
$55,490
($26.68/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Slow Growth
0.2%
Avg. Annual Openings
Average Opportunity
167
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$39,180
($18.84/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Slow Growth
0.1%
Avg. Annual Openings
Rare Opportunity
10
Education: No formal educational credential
No formal educational credential
Median Annual Wage
$35,050
($16.85/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Slow Growth
0.1%
Avg. Annual Openings
Average Opportunity
175
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$36,730
($17.66/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Slow Growth
0.1%
Avg. Annual Openings
Few Opportunities
47
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$43,180
($20.76/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Slow Growth
0.1%
Avg. Annual Openings
Strong Opportunity
260
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$40,050
($19.26/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
None or Negative Growth
0.0%
Avg. Annual Openings
Rare Opportunity
22
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$38,010
($18.27/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
None or Negative Growth
0.0%
Avg. Annual Openings
Very Strong Opportunity
2,815
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$45,780
($22.01/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
None or Negative Growth
-0.1%
Avg. Annual Openings
Strong Opportunity
497
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$45,930
($22.08/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
None or Negative Growth
-0.2%
Avg. Annual Openings
Strong Opportunity
322
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
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$41,030
($19.73/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
None or Negative Growth
-0.2%
Avg. Annual Openings
Average Opportunity
94
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$48,950
($23.53/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
None or Negative Growth
-0.2%
Avg. Annual Openings
Strong Opportunity
550
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$43,720
($21.02/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
None or Negative Growth
-0.2%
Avg. Annual Openings
Strong Opportunity
273
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$48,030
($23.09/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
None or Negative Growth
-0.3%
Avg. Annual Openings
Rare Opportunity
9
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$40,110
($19.29/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
None or Negative Growth
-0.3%
Avg. Annual Openings
Strong Opportunity
281
Education: No formal educational credential
No formal educational credential
Median Annual Wage
$33,470
($16.09/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
None or Negative Growth
-0.3%
Avg. Annual Openings
Average Opportunity
118
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$41,470
($19.94/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
None or Negative Growth
-0.3%
Avg. Annual Openings
Average Opportunity
76
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$41,890
($20.14/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
None or Negative Growth
-0.4%
Avg. Annual Openings
Average Opportunity
142
Education: No formal educational credential
No formal educational credential
Median Annual Wage
$35,250
($16.95/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
None or Negative Growth
-0.4%
Avg. Annual Openings
Few Opportunities
69
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$41,950
($20.17/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
None or Negative Growth
-0.5%
Avg. Annual Openings
Few Opportunities
30
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$44,220
($21.26/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
None or Negative Growth
-0.7%
Avg. Annual Openings
Rare Opportunity
12
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$34,330
($16.50/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
None or Negative Growth
-0.7%
Avg. Annual Openings
Rare Opportunity
10
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$39,060
($18.78/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
None or Negative Growth
-0.9%
Avg. Annual Openings
Few Opportunities
25
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$40,750
($19.59/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
None or Negative Growth
-1.2%
Avg. Annual Openings
Average Opportunity
162
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$35,870
($17.25/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
None or Negative Growth
-1.3%
Avg. Annual Openings
Few Opportunities
45
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$51,940
($24.97/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
None or Negative Growth
-1.4%
Avg. Annual Openings
Few Opportunities
43
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$48,180
($23.16/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
None or Negative Growth
-1.6%
Avg. Annual Openings
Few Opportunities
26
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$50,590
($24.32/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
None or Negative Growth
-1.6%
Avg. Annual Openings
Rare Opportunity
13
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$42,910
($20.63/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
None or Negative Growth
-1.8%
Avg. Annual Openings
Rare Opportunity
9
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