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
$76,820
($36.93/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
None or Negative Growth
-1.5%
Avg. Annual Openings
Few Opportunities
55
Choose your next step from the list below.
Sort By
91
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
$65,860
($31.67/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Very Strong Growth
4.6%
Avg. Annual Openings
Rare Opportunity
22
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: 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
29
Education: Associate's degree
Associate's degree
Median Annual Wage
$62,420
($30.01/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Very Strong Growth
2.3%
Avg. Annual Openings
Strong Opportunity
361
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: 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
Education: Associate's degree
Associate's degree
Median Annual Wage
$60,650
($29.16/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Very Strong Growth
2.0%
Avg. Annual Openings
Few Opportunities
66
Education: Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
Median Annual Wage
$67,720
($32.56/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Very Strong Growth
1.9%
Avg. Annual Openings
Rare Opportunity
4
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: 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
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: 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: Postsecondary nondegree award
Postsecondary nondegree award
Median Annual Wage
$62,390
($30.00/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Very Strong Growth
1.6%
Avg. Annual Openings
Strong Opportunity
535
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
$46,820
($22.51/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Very Strong Growth
1.5%
Avg. Annual Openings
Few Opportunities
47
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$33,300
($16.01/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Very Strong Growth
1.5%
Avg. Annual Openings
Few Opportunities
39
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: 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
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: Associate's degree
Associate's degree
Median Annual Wage
$45,830
($22.03/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Strong Growth
1.3%
Avg. Annual Openings
Average Opportunity
118
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
$46,360
($22.29/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Strong Growth
1.2%
Avg. Annual Openings
Very Strong Opportunity
1,441
Education: Associate's degree
Associate's degree
Median Annual Wage
$62,400
($30.00/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Strong Growth
1.1%
Avg. Annual Openings
Few Opportunities
59
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
$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
$60,220
($28.95/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Strong Growth
1.1%
Avg. Annual Openings
Rare Opportunity
23
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
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
$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
$39,210
($18.85/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Strong Growth
1.0%
Avg. Annual Openings
Strong Opportunity
442
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: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$68,390
($32.88/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Strong Growth
1.0%
Avg. Annual Openings
Very Strong Opportunity
2,223
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$61,890
($29.76/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Strong Growth
1.0%
Avg. Annual Openings
Few Opportunities
36
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$38,230
($18.38/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Strong Growth
1.0%
Avg. Annual Openings
Strong Opportunity
350
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: Associate's degree
Associate's degree
Median Annual Wage
$69,250
($33.29/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Average Growth
0.9%
Avg. Annual Openings
Average Opportunity
196
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: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$62,450
($30.03/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Average Growth
0.9%
Avg. Annual Openings
Very Strong Opportunity
3,906
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
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: 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
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
$36,820
($17.70/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Average Growth
0.9%
Avg. Annual Openings
Average Opportunity
82
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
$38,760
($18.64/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Average Growth
0.8%
Avg. Annual Openings
Average Opportunity
158
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: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$66,350
($31.90/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Average Growth
0.8%
Avg. Annual Openings
Rare Opportunity
9
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
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$61,340
($29.49/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Average Growth
0.8%
Avg. Annual Openings
Very Strong Opportunity
2,890
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
5
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
$66,160
($31.81/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Average Growth
0.7%
Avg. Annual Openings
Strong Opportunity
480
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
$46,860
($22.53/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Slow Growth
0.6%
Avg. Annual Openings
Strong Opportunity
400
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$66,910
($32.17/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Slow Growth
0.6%
Avg. Annual Openings
Few Opportunities
29
Education: Associate's degree
Associate's degree
Median Annual Wage
$49,670
($23.88/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Slow Growth
0.6%
Avg. Annual Openings
Strong Opportunity
332
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$46,380
($22.30/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Slow Growth
0.5%
Avg. Annual Openings
Few Opportunities
41
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
$61,580
($29.61/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Slow Growth
0.5%
Avg. Annual Openings
Average Opportunity
156
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: No formal educational credential
No formal educational credential
Median Annual Wage
$27,560
($13.25/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Slow Growth
0.4%
Avg. Annual Openings
Strong Opportunity
673
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$65,870
($31.67/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Slow Growth
0.3%
Avg. Annual Openings
Few Opportunities
48
Education: Associate's degree
Associate's degree
Median Annual Wage
$63,840
($30.69/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Slow Growth
0.2%
Avg. Annual Openings
Strong Opportunity
338
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$62,440
($30.02/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Slow Growth
0.1%
Avg. Annual Openings
Strong Opportunity
709
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: Associate's degree
Associate's degree
Median Annual Wage
$44,320
($21.31/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
Slow Growth
0.1%
Avg. Annual Openings
Few Opportunities
33
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
8
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: 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
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
$41,950
($20.17/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
None or Negative Growth
-0.5%
Avg. Annual Openings
Few Opportunities
30
Education: Postsecondary nondegree award
Postsecondary nondegree award
Median Annual Wage
$68,380
($32.87/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
None or Negative Growth
-0.7%
Avg. Annual Openings
Average Opportunity
93
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$34,890
($16.78/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
None or Negative Growth
-0.9%
Avg. Annual Openings
Few Opportunities
39
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage
$61,070
($29.36/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
None or Negative Growth
-1.0%
Avg. Annual Openings
Rare Opportunity
14
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: No formal educational credential
No formal educational credential
Median Annual Wage
$45,030
($21.65/hr)
Annual Growth Rate
None or Negative Growth
-1.6%
Avg. Annual Openings
Rare Opportunity
9
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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