Career Tree | NC Careers.org

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By Education (What Can I Do With My 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 (Next Step)

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 (First Step)

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.

Your Journey Overview
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Electrical and Electronics Drafters

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Electrical and Electronics Drafters

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$76,540

($36.80/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.9%

Avg. Annual Openings

Few Opportunities

Choose your next step from the list below by dragging the Occupation into your Career Journey above.

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Star
Rating

Education
Requirement

Median
Annual Wage

Annual
Growth Rate

Avg. Annual
Openings

Software Developers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$131,000

($62.98/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

2.8%

Avg. Annual Openings

Very Strong Opportunity

5,363

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$102,660

($49.36/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

2.4%

Avg. Annual Openings

Very Strong Opportunity

765

Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics

Logisticians

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$77,030

($37.04/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

2.3%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

740

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

Mechanical Engineers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$100,990

($48.55/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.8%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

622

Electronics Engineers, Except Computer

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$105,360

($50.66/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.8%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

149

Industrial Engineers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$97,150

($46.71/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.7%

Avg. Annual Openings

Very Strong Opportunity

774

Aerospace Engineers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$117,190

($56.34/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.6%

Avg. Annual Openings

Few Opportunities

Computer Systems Analysts

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$104,940

($50.45/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.5%

Avg. Annual Openings

Very Strong Opportunity

1,807

All Other Computer Occupations

Star Rating:

Education: Bachelor's degree

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$106,240

($51.08/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.5%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

564

Database Architects

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$130,560

($62.77/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.3%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

205

Materials Engineers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$95,640

($45.98/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.3%

Avg. Annual Openings

Few Opportunities

Civil Engineers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$93,590

($45.00/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.3%

Avg. Annual Openings

Very Strong Opportunity

857

Electrical Engineers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$107,760

($51.81/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.2%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

372

Transportation Equipment Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Postsecondary nondegree award

☆☆☆☆☆

Postsecondary nondegree award

Median Annual Wage

$$$

No Data Available

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.2%

Avg. Annual Openings

Rare Opportunity

Architectural and Engineering Managers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$163,430

($78.57/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.1%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

415

Construction Managers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$104,750

($50.36/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.1%

Avg. Annual Openings

Very Strong Opportunity

3,029

All Other Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Star Rating:

Education: Associate's degree

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$74,210

($35.68/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.1%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

187

All Other Engineers

Star Rating:

Education: Bachelor's degree

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$106,960

($51.42/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.1%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

217

First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: High school diploma or equivalent

☆☆☆☆☆

High school diploma or equivalent

Median Annual Wage

$73,730

($35.45/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.0%

Avg. Annual Openings

Very Strong Opportunity

1,872

Arts, Audio/Video Technology and Communications

Commercial and Industrial Designers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$74,330

($35.73/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.8%

Avg. Annual Openings

Few Opportunities

Commercial and Industrial Equipment Electrical and Electronics Repairers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Postsecondary nondegree award

☆☆☆☆☆

Postsecondary nondegree award

Median Annual Wage

$71,210

($34.24/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.7%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

146

Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay Electrical and Electronics Repairers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Postsecondary nondegree award

☆☆☆☆☆

Postsecondary nondegree award

Median Annual Wage

$96,730

($46.50/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.7%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

140

Power Distributors and Dispatchers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: High school diploma or equivalent

☆☆☆☆☆

High school diploma or equivalent

Median Annual Wage

$87,420

($42.03/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Slow Growth

0.2%

Avg. Annual Openings

Rare Opportunity

Computer Hardware Engineers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$131,600

($63.27/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

None or Negative Growth

0.0%

Avg. Annual Openings

Few Opportunities

Computer Programmers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$95,770

($46.04/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

None or Negative Growth

-0.7%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

217

Median Annual Wage
Education
Experience Needed
Description

Electrical and Electronics Drafters

$76,540($36.80/hr)

Associate's degree

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.

Software Developers

$131,000 ($62.98/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

Software developers create the computer applications that allow users to do specific tasks and the underlying systems that run the devices or control networks.

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

$102,660 ($49.36/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

Software quality assurance analysts and testers design and execute software tests to identify problems and learn how the software works.

Logisticians

$77,030 ($37.04/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

Logisticians analyze and coordinate an organization's supply chain, the system that moves a product from supplier to consumer. They manage a product's entire life cycle, from design to disposal.

Mechanical Engineers

$100,990 ($48.55/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

Mechanical engineers research, design, develop, build, and test mechanical and thermal sensors and devices, including tools, engines, and machines.

Electronics Engineers, Except Computer

$105,360 ($50.66/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

Electronics engineers design, develop, and test electrical and electronic equipment, components, and systems.

Industrial Engineers

$97,150 ($46.71/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

Industrial engineers devise efficient systems that integrate workers, machines, materials, information, and energy to make a product or provide a service. They assess workers, quality control, logistics, and other factors involved in coordinating production.

Aerospace Engineers

$117,190 ($56.34/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

Aerospace engineers design, develop, and test aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missiles. In addition, they create and test prototypes to make sure that they function according to design.

Computer Systems Analysts

$104,940 ($50.45/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

Computer systems analysts, sometimes called systems architects, study an organization's current computer systems and procedures and design improvements to them. In doing so, these analysts help the organization operate more efficiently.

All Other Computer Occupations

$106,240 ($51.08/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

Computer Occupations include personnel who work on computers, including IT, computer systems, and security. This category includes all computer occupations not contained somewhere else.

Database Architects

$130,560 ($62.77/hr)

Bachelor's degree

Less than 5 years

Database architects create or organize systems to store and secure a variety of data, such as financial information and customer shipping records. They also make sure that the data are available to authorized users.

Materials Engineers

$95,640 ($45.98/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

Materials engineers develop, process, and test materials used to create a range of products, from computer chips and aircraft wings to golf clubs and biomedical devices. They study the properties and structures of metals, ceramics, plastics, composites, nanomaterials (extremely small substances), and other substances in order to create new materials that meet certain mechanical, electrical, and chemical requirements. They also help select materials for specific products and develop new ways to use existing materials.

Civil Engineers

$93,590 ($45.00/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

Civil engineers plan, design, and supervise the construction and maintenance of building and infrastructure projects. These projects may include facilities, bridges, roads, tunnels, and water and sewage systems.

Electrical Engineers

$107,760 ($51.81/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

Electrical engineers design, develop, and test electrical and electronic equipment, components, and systems.

Transportation Equipment Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers

- ( - /hr)

Postsecondary nondegree award

None

Transportation Equipment Electrical and Electronics installers and repairers install, adjust, or maintain mobile communication equipment, including sound, sonar, security, navigation, and surveillance systems on trains, watercraft, or other vehicles.

Architectural and Engineering Managers

$163,430 ($78.57/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

Architectural and engineering managers plan, direct, and coordinate activities in the fields of architecture and engineering.

Construction Managers

$104,750 ($50.36/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

Construction managers plan, coordinate, budget, and supervise construction projects from start to finish.

All Other Engineering Technologists and Technicians

$74,210 ($35.68/hr)

Associate's degree

None

Engineering Technologists and Technicians support engineers in their duties, usually working on teams. They make sure that all machinery and tools being used remain functional. This category includes all engineering technologists and technicians not contained somewhere else.

All Other Engineers

$106,960 ($51.42/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

Engineers are professionals that use math and science to solve technical problems. This normally includes creating, improving, or repairing systems or products. This category includes all engineers not contained somewhere else.

First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers

$73,730 ($35.45/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

Less than 5 years

First-line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers directly supervise and coordinate the activities of mechanics, installers, and repairers. They can also advise customers on recommended services.

Commercial and Industrial Designers

$74,330 ($35.73/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

Commercial and Industrial Designers design and develop manufactured products, such as cars, home appliances, and children's toys. Combine artistic talent with research on product use, marketing, and materials to create the most functional and appealing product design.

Commercial and Industrial Equipment Electrical and Electronics Repairers

$71,210 ($34.24/hr)

Postsecondary nondegree award

None

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

Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay Electrical and Electronics Repairers

$96,730 ($46.50/hr)

Postsecondary nondegree award

Less than 5 years

Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay Electrical and Electronics Repairers inspect, test, repair, or maintain electrical equipment in generating stations, substations, and in-service relays.

Power Distributors and Dispatchers

$87,420 ($42.03/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Power distributors, and dispatchers control the systems that generate and distribute electric power.

Computer Hardware Engineers

$131,600 ($63.27/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

Computer hardware engineers research, design, develop, and test computer systems and components such as processors, circuit boards, memory devices, networks, and routers.

Computer Programmers

$95,770 ($46.04/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

Computer programmers write, modify, and test code and scripts that allow computer software and applications to function properly. They turn the designs created by software developers and engineers into instructions that a computer can follow. In addition, programmers run tests to ensure that newly created applications and software produce the expected results. If the products do not work correctly, programmers check the code or scripts for mistakes and modify them.

First Step

Start Planning

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…