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.

Sign in and start building your Career Plan now!

Need some help getting started? Review our Quick Start Guide (coming soon)

Review the Career Plan Frequently Asked Questions

Next Step

Start building your future career today.

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.

CLEAR

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
Compare Occupations

Save Delete Saved Content
Start Over
Previous

Postsecondary Career/Technical Education Teachers

Next Step

Postsecondary Career/Technical Education Teachers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$60,590

($29.13/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Slow Growth

0.1%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

580

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

Sort By

View Options

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

Medical Equipment Repairers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$59,430

($28.57/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

2.3%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

437

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

Occupational Health and Safety Specialists

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$82,160

($39.50/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.8%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

401

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

Management Analysts

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$98,700

($47.45/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.5%

Avg. Annual Openings

Very Strong Opportunity

2,369

Health and Safety Engineers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$94,070

($45.23/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.4%

Avg. Annual Openings

Rare Opportunity

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

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

Training and Development Managers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$116,960

($56.23/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.2%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

168

General and Operations Managers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$99,190

($47.69/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.2%

Avg. Annual Openings

Very Strong Opportunity

8,977

Calibration Technologists and Technicians

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$62,910

($30.25/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.1%

Avg. Annual Openings

Few Opportunities

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

Wholesale and Manufacturing- Technical and Scientific Products Sales Representatives

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$105,640

($50.79/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.1%

Avg. Annual Openings

Very Strong Opportunity

1,237

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

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

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: High school diploma or equivalent

☆☆☆☆☆

High school diploma or equivalent

Median Annual Wage

$73,310

($35.25/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.9%

Avg. Annual Openings

Very Strong Opportunity

3,145

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

Industrial Production Managers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$119,270

($57.34/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Slow Growth

0.6%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

621

Sales Engineers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$103,480

($49.75/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Slow Growth

0.6%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

242

Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$71,670

($34.46/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Slow Growth

0.3%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

259

Median Annual Wage
Education
Experience Needed
Description

Postsecondary Career/Technical Education Teachers

$60,590($29.13/hr)

Bachelor's degree

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.

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.

Medical Equipment Repairers

$59,430 ($28.57/hr)

Associate's degree

None

Medical equipment repairers install, maintain, and repair patient care equipment.

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.

Occupational Health and Safety Specialists

$82,160 ($39.50/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

Occupational health and safety specialists collect data on, analyze, and design improvements to many types of work environments and procedures. Specialists inspect workplaces and enforce adherence to regulations on safety, health, and the environment. Technicians work with specialists to implement and evaluate programs aimed at mitigating risks to workers, property, the environment, and the public.

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.

Management Analysts

$98,700 ($47.45/hr)

Bachelor's degree

Less than 5 years

Management analysts, often called management consultants, recommend ways to improve an organization's efficiency. They advise managers on how to make organizations more profitable through reduced costs and increased revenues.

Health and Safety Engineers

$94,070 ($45.23/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

Health and safety engineers apply their knowledge of industrial processes, mechanics, psychology, and other disciplines to promote worksite or product safety.

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.

Electrical Engineers

$107,760 ($51.81/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

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

Training and Development Managers

$116,960 ($56.23/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

Training and development managers plan, coordinate, and direct skills- and knowledge-enhancement programs for an organization's staff.

General and Operations Managers

$99,190 ($47.69/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

General and Operations Managers plan strategies and policies to ensure that an organization meets its goals. They coordinate and direct work activities of companies and organizations.

Calibration Technologists and Technicians

$62,910 ($30.25/hr)

Associate's degree

None

Calibration technologists and technicians inspect, adjust, and test measurement devices against standards, such as those used in manufacturing, healthcare, and other industries.

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.

Wholesale and Manufacturing- Technical and Scientific Products Sales Representatives

$105,640 ($50.79/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representatives sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses, government agencies, and other organizations. They contact customers, explain the features of the products they are selling, negotiate prices, and answer any questions that their customers may have about the products.

Construction Managers

$104,750 ($50.36/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

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

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.

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers

$73,310 ($35.25/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

5 years or more

First-line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers directly supervise and coordinate activities of construction or extraction workers.

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.

Industrial Production Managers

$119,270 ($57.34/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

Industrial production managers oversee the operations of manufacturing and related plants. They coordinate, plan, and direct activities involved in creating a range of goods, such as cars, computer equipment, and paper products.

Sales Engineers

$103,480 ($49.75/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

Sales engineers sell business products or services, such as software or support, that require technical expertise.

Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians

$71,670 ($34.46/hr)

Associate's degree

None

Electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians help electrical and electronics engineers plan and develop communications equipment, computers, medical monitoring devices, or other equipment that is powered by other electricity or electric current. They often work in product evaluation and testing, using measuring and diagnostic devices to test, adjust, and repair equipment. They are also involved in assembling equipment for automation.

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…