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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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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.

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Metal and Plastic Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Next Step

Metal and Plastic Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: High school diploma or equivalent

☆☆☆☆☆

High school diploma or equivalent

Median Annual Wage

$31,490

($15.14/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

None or Negative Growth

-1.7%

Avg. Annual Openings

Few Opportunities

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

Industrial Machinery Mechanics

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

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

Earth Drillers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

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

Electricians

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

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

Machinery Maintenance Workers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

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

Machinists

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

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

Brickmasons and Blockmasons

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

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

Metal and Plastic Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

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

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

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

Carpenters

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

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

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

Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics

Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

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

Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: High school diploma or equivalent

☆☆☆☆☆

High school diploma or equivalent

Median Annual Wage

$38,070

($18.30/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Slow Growth

0.5%

Avg. Annual Openings

Few Opportunities

Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: High school diploma or equivalent

☆☆☆☆☆

High school diploma or equivalent

Median Annual Wage

$41,700

($20.05/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Slow Growth

0.4%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

678

Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: High school diploma or equivalent

☆☆☆☆☆

High school diploma or equivalent

Median Annual Wage

$38,440

($18.48/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Slow Growth

0.4%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

562

Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: High school diploma or equivalent

☆☆☆☆☆

High school diploma or equivalent

Median Annual Wage

$39,210

($18.85/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Slow Growth

0.2%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

423

Metal and Plastic Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

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

Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

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

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

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

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

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

Metal and Plastic Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

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

Metal and Plastic Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

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

Engine and Other Machine Assemblers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

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

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

Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

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

Metal and Plastic Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

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

Median Annual Wage
Education
Experience Needed
Description

Metal and Plastic Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders

$31,490($15.14/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

Metal and Plastic Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders set up, operate, or tend drilling machines to drill, bore, ream, mill, or countersink metal or plastic work pieces.

Industrial Machinery Mechanics

$56,260 ($27.05/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Industrial machinery mechanics and machinery maintenance workers maintain and repair factory equipment and other industrial machinery, such as conveying systems, production machinery, and packaging equipment. Millwrights install, dismantle, repair, reassemble, and move machinery in factories, power plants, and construction sites.

Earth Drillers

$46,820 ($22.51/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

Less than 5 years

Earth Drillers operate a variety of drills such as rotary, churn, and pneumatic to tap subsurface water and salt deposits, to remove core samples during mineral exploration or soil testing, and to facilitate the use of explosives in mining or construction.

Electricians

$49,020 ($23.57/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical power, communications, lighting, and control systems in homes, businesses, and factories.

Machinery Maintenance Workers

$49,980 ($24.03/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Machinists

$46,360 ($22.29/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

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

Brickmasons and Blockmasons

$46,350 ($22.28/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Brickmasons and Blockmasons (or, simply, masons) use bricks and concrete blocks to build fences, walkways, walls, and other structures.

Metal and Plastic Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders

$39,990 ($19.23/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Metal and Plastic Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders set up, operate, or tend more than one type of cutting or forming machine tool or robot.

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

$47,220 ($22.70/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters install and repair piping fixtures and systems.

Carpenters

$44,980 ($21.63/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Carpenters construct, repair, and install building frameworks and structures made from wood and other materials.

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.

Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators

$66,910 ($32.17/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Rail-track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators install, repair, and maintain track for standard or narrow-gauge railroad equipment used in regular railroad service or in plant yards, quarries, sand and gravel pits, and mines.

Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

$38,070 ($18.30/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders set up, operate, or tend machines to crush, grind, or polish materials, such as coal, glass, grain, stone, food, or rubber.

Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

$41,700 ($20.05/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders set up, operate, or tend paper goods machines that perform a variety of functions, such as converting, sawing, corrugating, banding, wrapping, boxing, stitching, forming, or sealing paper or paperboard sheets into products.

Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

$38,440 ($18.48/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Set Up, Operate, or Tend Machines that cut or slice materials, such as glass, stone, cork, rubber, tobacco, food, paper, or insulating material.

Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

$39,210 ($18.85/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders set up, operate, or tend machines, such as glass-forming machines, plodder machines, and tuber machines, to shape and form products such as glassware, food, rubber, soap, brick, tile, clay, wax, tobacco, or cosmetics.

Metal and Plastic Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

$43,180 ($20.76/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Metal and Plastic Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders set up, operate, or tend machines to extrude or draw thermoplastic or metal materials into tubes, rods, hoses, wire, bars, or structural shapes.

Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners

$40,050 ($19.26/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners perform precision smoothing, sharpening, polishing, or grinding of metal objects.

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators

$45,780 ($22.01/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators operate computer-controlled tools, machines, or robots to machine or process parts, tools, or other work pieces made of metal, plastic, wood, stone, or other materials. May also set up and maintain equipment.

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

$41,030 ($19.73/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders set up, operate, or tend welding, soldering, or brazing machines or robots that weld, braze, solder, or heat treat metal products, components, or assemblies.

Metal and Plastic Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders

$40,110 ($19.29/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Metal and Plastic Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders set up, operate, or tend grinding and related tools that remove excess material or burrs from surfaces, sharpen edges or corners, or buff, hone, or polish metal or plastic work pieces.

Metal and Plastic Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders

$41,470 ($19.94/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Metal and Plastic Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders set up, operate, or tend lathe and turning machines to turn, bore, thread, form, or face metal or plastic materials, such as wire, rod, or bar stock.

Engine and Other Machine Assemblers

$41,890 ($20.14/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Engine and Other Machine Assemblers construct, assemble, or rebuild machines such as engines, turbines, and similar equipment used in industries like construction, extraction, textiles, and paper manufacturing.

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.

Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers

$48,180 ($23.16/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems assemblers fit, fasten, and install parts of airplanes, space vehicles, or missiles.

Metal and Plastic Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

$50,590 ($24.32/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Metal and Plastic Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders set up, operate, or tend forging machines to taper, shape, or form metal or plastic parts.

First Step

Find out what's next in line on your career journey, or find our where to start your new journey.

This tool can help you understand a potential pathway to a goal career. The circle at the top right represents your goal job. The circles on the left are jobs that have similar job skills or job duties to your dream job but typically pay less. They may also require lower educational attainment or skills.