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.

First Step

Your Journey Overview
Compare Occupations

Save Delete Saved Content
Start Over
Previous

Computer Network Architects

Drag and
Drop here

Computer Network Architects

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$126,000

($60.58/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.8%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

447

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

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

Computer and Information Research Scientists

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Master's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Master's degree

Median Annual Wage

$124,490

($59.85/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

2.9%

Avg. Annual Openings

Few Opportunities

Operations Research Analysts

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$100,630

($48.38/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

2.5%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

227

Web Developers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$94,070

($45.23/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

2.4%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

216

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

Web and Digital Interface Designers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$84,990

($40.86/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

2.3%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

361

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

Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$45,970

($22.10/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.7%

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

Computer Network Support Specialists

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$79,680

($38.31/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.4%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

405

Project Management Specialists

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$99,580

($47.88/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.4%

Avg. Annual Openings

Very Strong Opportunity

2,112

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

All Other Business Operations Specialists

Star Rating:

Education: Bachelor's degree

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$77,090

($37.06/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.1%

Avg. Annual Openings

Very Strong Opportunity

3,457

Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics

Avionics Technicians

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Postsecondary nondegree award

☆☆☆☆☆

Postsecondary nondegree award

Median Annual Wage

$62,060

($29.84/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.1%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

Postsecondary Computer Science Teachers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Doctoral or professional degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Doctoral or professional degree

Median Annual Wage

$77,800

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.1%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

129

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

Facilities Managers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$102,120

($49.09/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.1%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

278

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

Arts, Audio/Video Technology and Communications

Producers and Directors

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$66,000

($31.73/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.9%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

305

Network and Computer Systems Administrators

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$97,590

($46.92/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.8%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

647

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

Broadcast Technicians

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$45,430

($21.84/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

None or Negative Growth

0.0%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

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

Computer Network Architects

$126,000($60.58/hr)

Bachelor's degree

Computer network architects design and implement data communication networks, including local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and intranets. These networks range from small connections between two offices to virtual capabilities such as a cloud infrastructure that serves multiple customers.

Computer and Information Research Scientists

$124,490 ($59.85/hr)

Master's degree

5 years or more

Computer and information research scientists design innovative uses for new and existing technology. They study and solve complex problems in computing for business, science, medicine, and other fields.

Operations Research Analysts

$100,630 ($48.38/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

Operations research analysts use mathematics and logic to help organizations make informed decisions and solve problems.

Web Developers

$94,070 ($45.23/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

Web Developers create and maintain websites. They are also responsible for the site's technical aspects, such as its performance and capacity, which are measures of a website's speed and how much traffic the site can handle. In addition, web developers may create content for the site.

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

$102,660 ($49.36/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

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

Web and Digital Interface Designers

$84,990 ($40.86/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

Web and Digital Interface Designers develop, create, and test website or interface layout, functions, and navigation for usability. They are responsible for the look and functionality of the website or interface.

Electronics Engineers, Except Computer

$105,360 ($50.66/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

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

Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers

$45,970 ($22.10/hr)

Associate's degree

5 years or more

Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers install, maintain, or repair mobile or stationary radio transmitting, broadcasting, and receiving equipment, and two-way radio communications systems used in cellular telecommunications, mobile broadband, ship-to-shore, aircraft-to-ground communications, and radio equipment in service and emergency vehicles. They may test and analyze network coverage.

Computer Systems Analysts

$104,940 ($50.45/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

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

5 years or more

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

Computer Network Support Specialists

$79,680 ($38.31/hr)

Associate's degree

5 years or more

Computer Networks Support Specialists assist computer users and organizations by maintaining computer networks.

Project Management Specialists

$99,580 ($47.88/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

Project management specialists coordinate the budget, schedule, and other details of a project. They lead and guide the work of technical staff. Project management specialists also may serve as a point of contact for the client or customer.

Electrical Engineers

$107,760 ($51.81/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

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

All Other Business Operations Specialists

$77,090 ($37.06/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

Business Operations Specialists are consultants who offer knowledge to help a business improve its operations. This category includes all business operations specialists not contained somewhere else.

Avionics Technicians

$62,060 ($29.84/hr)

Postsecondary nondegree award

5 years or more

Avionics technicians install, test, adjust, and repair equipment and systems in aircraft.

Postsecondary Computer Science Teachers

$77,800 ( - /hr)

Doctoral or professional degree

5 years or more

Postsecondary Computer Science Teachers instruct students in a variety of computer science related subjects beyond the high school level. They may also conduct research and publish scholarly papers and books.

All Other Engineering Technologists and Technicians

$74,210 ($35.68/hr)

Associate's degree

5 years or more

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.

Facilities Managers

$102,120 ($49.09/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

Facilities managers plan, direct, and coordinate activities that help an organization run efficiently.

All Other Engineers

$106,960 ($51.42/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

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.

Producers and Directors

$66,000 ($31.73/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

Producers and directors make business and creative decisions about, film, television, stage, and other productions. They interpret a writer's script to entertain, inform, or instruct an audience.

Network and Computer Systems Administrators

$97,590 ($46.92/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

Network and computer systems administrators install, configure, and maintain organizations' local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), data communication networks, operating systems, and servers.

Sales Engineers

$103,480 ($49.75/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

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

5 years or more

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.

Broadcast Technicians

$45,430 ($21.84/hr)

Associate's degree

5 years or more

Broadcast technicians set up, operate, and maintain the electrical equipment for radio programs, television broadcasts, concerts, sound recordings, and movies.

Computer Programmers

$95,770 ($46.04/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

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.

Save

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…