Career Tree | NC Careers.org

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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.

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Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters

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Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

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

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

Tile and Stone Setters

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

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

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

Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

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

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

Structural Iron and Steel Workers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

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

Upholsterers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

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

Millwrights

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

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

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

Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

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

Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

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

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

Plasterers and Stucco Masons

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

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

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

Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

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

Sheet Metal Workers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

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

Boilermakers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

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

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 Model Makers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

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

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

Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

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

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

Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters

$36,720($17.65/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

Cabinetmakers and bench carpenters cut, shape, and assemble wooden articles. They set up and operate a variety of woodworking machines such as power saws, jointers, and mortisers to fabricate parts for wood products.

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.

Tile and Stone Setters

$43,930 ($21.12/hr)

No formal educational credential

None

Tile and Stone Setters apply hard tile, marble, and wood tile to walls, floors, ceilings, and roof decks.

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

Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers

$41,550 ($19.98/hr)

No formal educational credential

None

Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers hang wallboard and install ceiling tile inside buildings. Many also install and tape wallboard.

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.

Structural Iron and Steel Workers

$49,670 ($23.88/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Structural Iron and Steel Workers install structural iron and steel to form and support bridges, roads, and other structures.

Upholsterers

$44,370 ($21.33/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Upholsterers make, repair, or replace upholstery for household furniture or transportation vehicles.

Millwrights

$49,600 ($23.85/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

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.

Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers

$47,200 ($22.69/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers use hand-held or remotely controlled equipment to join or cut metal parts. They also fill holes, indentations, or seams in metal products.

Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers

$46,480 ($22.34/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers install reinforcing iron and steel to form and support bridges, roads, and other structures.

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.

Plasterers and Stucco Masons

$43,840 ($21.08/hr)

No formal educational credential

None

Plasterers and Stucco Masons apply interior or exterior plaster, cement, stucco, or similar materials. They may also set ornamental plaster.

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.

Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers

$46,000 ($22.12/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers design, construct, adjust, repair, appraise and sell jewelry.

Sheet Metal Workers

$46,860 ($22.53/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Sheet Metal Workers fabricate or install products that are made from thin metal sheets, such as ducts used in heating and air conditioning systems.

Boilermakers

$65,720 ($31.60/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Boilermakers assemble, install, maintain, and repair boilers, closed vats, and other large vessels or containers that hold liquids and gases.

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 Model Makers

$48,030 ($23.09/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Metal and Plastic Model Makers are metal and plastic machine workers who set up and operate machines to make working models of metal or plastic objects.

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.

Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters

$40,750 ($19.59/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters fabricate, position, align, and fit parts of structural metal products.

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.