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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Commercial and Industrial Equipment Electrical and Electronics Repairers

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Commercial and Industrial Equipment Electrical and Electronics Repairers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Postsecondary nondegree award

☆☆☆☆☆

Postsecondary nondegree award

Median Annual Wage

$65,540

($31.51/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.1%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

211

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Star
Rating

Education
Requirement

Median
Annual Wage

Annual
Growth Rate

Avg. Annual
Openings

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

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

Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$56,160

($27.00/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

2.2%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

112

Arts, Audio/Video Technology and Communications

Audio and Video Technicians

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Postsecondary nondegree award

☆☆☆☆☆

Postsecondary nondegree award

Median Annual Wage

$39,490

($18.98/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

2.1%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

205

Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Postsecondary nondegree award

☆☆☆☆☆

Postsecondary nondegree award

Median Annual Wage

$59,080

($28.40/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.7%

Avg. Annual Openings

Very Strong Opportunity

851

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

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

Broadcast Technicians

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$46,240

($22.23/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.3%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

114

Television, Video, and Film Camera Operators

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$55,800

($26.83/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.1%

Avg. Annual Openings

Few Opportunities

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

Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

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

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

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

Lighting Technicians

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

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

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

Tool and Die Makers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

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

Ship Engineers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Postsecondary nondegree award

☆☆☆☆☆

Postsecondary nondegree award

Median Annual Wage

$50,290

($24.18/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

None or Negative Growth

0.0%

Avg. Annual Openings

Rare Opportunity

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

Audiovisual Equipment Installers and Repairers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Postsecondary nondegree award

☆☆☆☆☆

Postsecondary nondegree award

Median Annual Wage

$40,210

($19.33/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

None or Negative Growth

-0.2%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

150

Prepress Technicians and Workers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Postsecondary nondegree award

☆☆☆☆☆

Postsecondary nondegree award

Median Annual Wage

$47,050

($22.62/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

None or Negative Growth

-1.2%

Avg. Annual Openings

Few Opportunities

Median Annual Wage
Education
Experience Needed
Description

Commercial and Industrial Equipment Electrical and Electronics Repairers

$65,540($31.51/hr)

Postsecondary nondegree award

Commercial and Industrial Equipment Electrical and Electronics Repairers repair, test, adjust, or install electronic equipment, such as industrial controls, transmitters, and antennas.

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers

$59,020 ($28.37/hr)

Postsecondary nondegree award

None

Computer Numerically Controlled Machine Tool Programmers make programs to control machining or processing of metal or plastic parts. They use automatic machine tools, equipment, or systems.

Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers

$56,160 ($27.00/hr)

Associate's degree

None

Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers install, maintain, or repair mobile or stationary radio transmitting, broadcasting, and receiving equipment, and two-way radio communications systems used in cellular telecommunications, mobile broadband, ship-to-shore, aircraft-to-ground communications, and radio equipment in service and emergency vehicles. They may test and analyze network coverage.

Audio and Video Technicians

$39,490 ($18.98/hr)

Postsecondary nondegree award

None

Audio and Video technicians set up, operate, and maintain the electrical equipment for radio programs, television broadcasts, concerts, sound recordings, and movies.

Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers

$59,080 ($28.40/hr)

Postsecondary nondegree award

None

Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, also known as telecom technicians, set up and maintain devices or equipment that carry communications signals, such as telephone lines and Internet routers.

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers

$48,000 ($23.08/hr)

Postsecondary nondegree award

None

Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, which are often called HVACR technicians, work on heating, ventilation, cooling, and refrigeration systems that control the temperature and air quality in buildings.

Broadcast Technicians

$46,240 ($22.23/hr)

Associate's degree

None

Broadcast technicians set up, operate, and maintain the electrical equipment for radio programs, television broadcasts, concerts, sound recordings, and movies.

Television, Video, and Film Camera Operators

$55,800 ($26.83/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

Television, Video and Film Camera Operators manipulate images that entertain or inform an audience. They capture a wide range of material for television, movies, and other media.

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.

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

$45,350 ($21.80/hr)

Postsecondary nondegree award

None

Automotive service technicians and mechanics, often called service technicians or service techs, inspect, maintain, and repair cars and light trucks.

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.

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.

Lighting Technicians

$37,450 ($18.00/hr)

Postsecondary nondegree award

None

Lighting Technicians set up, maintain, and dismantle light fixtures, lighting control devices, and the associated lighting electrical and rigging equipment used for photography, television, film, video, and live productions. May focus or operate light fixtures, or attach color filters or other lighting accessories.

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.

Tool and Die Makers

$55,490 ($26.68/hr)

Postsecondary nondegree award

None

Tool and Die makers set up and operate a variety of computer-controlled and mechanically controlled equipment to produce precision metal parts, instruments, and tools.

Ship Engineers

$50,290 ($24.18/hr)

Postsecondary nondegree award

None

Ship Engineers operate and maintain a vessel's propulsion system, which includes the engine, boilers, generators, pumps, and other machinery.

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

Audiovisual Equipment Installers and Repairers

$40,210 ($19.33/hr)

Postsecondary nondegree award

None

Audiovisual equipment installers and repairers install, repair, or adjust audio or television receivers, stereo systems, camcorders, video systems, or other electronic entertainment equipment in homes or other venues, as well as perform routine maintenance.

Prepress Technicians and Workers

$47,050 ($22.62/hr)

Postsecondary nondegree award

None

Prepress Technicians and Workers format and proof text and images submitted by designers and clients into finished pages that can be printed, and they may also produce printing plates. This category includes digital and photo typesetting.

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