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
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Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators

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Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

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

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Star
Rating

Education
Requirement

Median
Annual Wage

Annual
Growth Rate

Avg. Annual
Openings

Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics

Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: No formal educational credential

☆☆☆☆☆

No formal educational credential

Median Annual Wage

$39,730

($19.10/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

2.7%

Avg. Annual Openings

Few Opportunities

Aircraft Service Attendants

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: High school diploma or equivalent

☆☆☆☆☆

High school diploma or equivalent

Median Annual Wage

$31,740

($15.26/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

2.0%

Avg. Annual Openings

Few Opportunities

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: No formal educational credential

☆☆☆☆☆

No formal educational credential

Median Annual Wage

$37,940

($18.24/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.9%

Avg. Annual Openings

Very Strong Opportunity

4,152

Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

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

Pile Driver Operators

Star Rating:

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

Hand Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: No formal educational credential

☆☆☆☆☆

No formal educational credential

Median Annual Wage

$33,060

($15.89/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.4%

Avg. Annual Openings

Very Strong Opportunity

17,604

Conveyor Operators and Tenders

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: No formal educational credential

☆☆☆☆☆

No formal educational credential

Median Annual Wage

$30,770

($14.79/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.3%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

117

Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: High school diploma or equivalent

☆☆☆☆☆

High school diploma or equivalent

Median Annual Wage

$39,310

($18.90/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.2%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

139

Construction Laborers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: No formal educational credential

☆☆☆☆☆

No formal educational credential

Median Annual Wage

$36,310

($17.46/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.0%

Avg. Annual Openings

Very Strong Opportunity

5,058

Highway Maintenance Workers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: High school diploma or equivalent

☆☆☆☆☆

High school diploma or equivalent

Median Annual Wage

$39,210

($18.85/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.0%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

442

Helpers- Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

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

Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: No formal educational credential

☆☆☆☆☆

No formal educational credential

Median Annual Wage

$33,870

($16.28/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.9%

Avg. Annual Openings

Very Strong Opportunity

6,565

Agricultural Equipment Operators

Star Rating:

Education: No formal educational credential

No formal educational credential

Median Annual Wage

$37,840

($18.19/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.9%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

430

General Maintenance and Repair Workers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

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

Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

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

Hoist and Winch Operators

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: No formal educational credential

☆☆☆☆☆

No formal educational credential

Median Annual Wage

$25,230

($12.13/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.8%

Avg. Annual Openings

Rare Opportunity

Vegetation Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: High school diploma or equivalent

☆☆☆☆☆

High school diploma or equivalent

Median Annual Wage

$38,760

($18.64/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.8%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

158

Hazardous Materials Removal Workers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: High school diploma or equivalent

☆☆☆☆☆

High school diploma or equivalent

Median Annual Wage

$38,000

($18.27/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.8%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

166

Tree Trimmers and Pruners

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: High school diploma or equivalent

☆☆☆☆☆

High school diploma or equivalent

Median Annual Wage

$38,390

($18.46/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.8%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

331

Logging Equipment Operators

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: High school diploma or equivalent

☆☆☆☆☆

High school diploma or equivalent

Median Annual Wage

$40,510

($19.48/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Slow Growth

0.6%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

430

Pipelayers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

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

Sailors and Marine Oilers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: No formal educational credential

☆☆☆☆☆

No formal educational credential

Median Annual Wage

$39,210

($18.85/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Slow Growth

0.1%

Avg. Annual Openings

Few Opportunities

Metal and Plastic Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: High school diploma or equivalent

☆☆☆☆☆

High school diploma or equivalent

Median Annual Wage

$41,130

($19.77/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

None or Negative Growth

-0.6%

Avg. Annual Openings

Few Opportunities

Median Annual Wage
Education
Experience Needed
Description

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators

$45,380($21.82/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators use construction equipment like bulldozers and front-end loaders to dig, move, and grade earth; erect structures; or pour concrete. Among other duties, they may repair and maintain equipment.

Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders

$39,730 ($19.10/hr)

No formal educational credential

None

Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders load and unload chemicals and bulk solids, such as coal, sand, and grain, into or from tank cars, trucks, or ships, using material moving equipment. They may perform a variety of other tasks relating to shipment of products, and gauge or sample shipping tanks and test them for leaks.

Aircraft Service Attendants

$31,740 ($15.26/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Aircraft Service Attendants service aircraft with fuel. They may de-ice aircraft, refill water and cooling agents, empty sewage tanks, service air and oxygen systems, or clean and polish the aircraft's exterior.

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators

$37,940 ($18.24/hr)

No formal educational credential

None

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators operate industrial trucks or tractors equipped to move materials around a warehouse, storage yard, factory, construction site, or similar location.

Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners

$37,420 ($17.99/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners cleanse and repair septic tanks, sewer lines, or drains. They can also patch walls and partitions of tank, replace damaged drain tile, or repair breaks in underground piping.

Pile Driver Operators

$38,340 ($18.44/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Pile-driver Operators use large machines mounted on skids, barges, or cranes to hammer long, heavy beams of concrete, wood, or steel into the ground to support retaining walls, bridges, piers, or building foundations.

Hand Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers

$33,060 ($15.89/hr)

No formal educational credential

None

Hand Laborers and Material Movers manually move freight, stock, or other materials. Some of these workers feed or remove material to or from machines, clean vehicles, pick up unwanted household goods, and pack materials for moving.

Conveyor Operators and Tenders

$30,770 ($14.79/hr)

No formal educational credential

None

Conveyor Operators and Tenders control or tend conveyors or conveyor systems that move materials or products to and from stockpiles, processing stations, departments, or vehicles.

Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators

$39,310 ($18.90/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators use equipment to apply concrete, asphalt, or other materials to road beds, parking lots, or airport runways and taxiways. They may also use equipment for tamping gravel, dirt, or other materials.

Construction Laborers

$36,310 ($17.46/hr)

No formal educational credential

None

Construction Laborers perform many tasks that require physical labor on construction sites.

Highway Maintenance Workers

$39,210 ($18.85/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Highway Maintenance Workers maintain highways, municipal and rural roads, airport runways, and rights-of-way. Their duties include patching broken or eroded pavement and repairing guard rails, highway markers, and snow fences. They may also mow or clear brush from along road, or plow snow from roadway.

Helpers- Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

$35,280 ($16.96/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters perform many tasks that require physical labor to assist Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters in their duties.

Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers

$33,870 ($16.28/hr)

No formal educational credential

None

Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers install and maintain landscapes, prune trees or shrubs, and do other tasks to ensure that vegetation is attractive, orderly, and safe.

Agricultural Equipment Operators

$37,840 ($18.19/hr)

No formal educational credential

None

Agricultural Equipment Operators drive and control farm equipment to till soil and to plant, cultivate, and harvest crops.

General Maintenance and Repair Workers

$40,900 ($19.66/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

General maintenance and repair workers fix and maintain machines, mechanical equipment, and buildings. They paint, repair flooring, and work on plumbing, electrical, and air-conditioning and heating systems.

Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics

$38,500 ($18.51/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Small engine mechanics inspect, service, and repair motorized power equipment. Mechanics often specialize in one type of equipment, such as motorcycles, motorboats, or outdoor power equipment.

Hoist and Winch Operators

$25,230 ($12.13/hr)

No formal educational credential

None

Hoist and Winch Operators, also called derrick operators, control the movement of platforms, cables, and cages that transport workers or materials in industrial operations.

Vegetation Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators

$38,760 ($18.64/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators mix or apply pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, or insecticides through sprays, dusts, vapors, soil incorporation, or chemical application on trees, shrubs, lawns, or botanical crops. They usually need specific training and State or Federal certification.

Hazardous Materials Removal Workers

$38,000 ($18.27/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Hazardous Materials (hazmat) Removal Workers identify and dispose of harmful substances, such as asbestos, lead, mold, and radioactive waste. They also neutralize and clean up materials that are flammable, corrosive, or toxic.

Tree Trimmers and Pruners

$38,390 ($18.46/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Tree trimmers and pruners use climbing and rigging techniques to cut away dead or excess branches to maintain the right-of-way for roads, sidewalks, or utilities. They also work to improve the health, appearance, and value of trees.

Logging Equipment Operators

$40,510 ($19.48/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Logging Equipment Operators drive logging tractors or wheeled vehicles equipped with one or more accessories such as a bulldozer blade, frontal shear, grapple, logging arch, cable winches, hoisting rack, or crane boom to carry out logging operations.

Pipelayers

$39,350 ($18.92/hr)

No formal educational credential

None

Pipelayers lay pipe for storm or sanitation sewers, drains, and water mains. They may be asked to perform tasks such as grading trenches or culverts, positioning pipes, or sealing joints.

Sailors and Marine Oilers

$39,210 ($18.85/hr)

No formal educational credential

None

Sailors and Marine Oilers are important parts of a ship's crew. Sailors operate and maintain the vessel and deck equipment. They keep all parts of a ship except engine and motor areas in good working order. Marine Oilers work in the engine room and help engineers maintain the propulsion system.

Metal and Plastic Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

$41,130 ($19.77/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Metal and Plastic Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders set up, operate, or tend machines to roll steel or plastic. This process forms bends, beads, knurls, rolls, or plate or flattens, tempers, or reduces gauge of material.

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