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.

First Step

Your Journey Overview
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Database Architects

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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

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

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

Statisticians

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Master's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Master's degree

Median Annual Wage

$122,630

($58.96/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

3.7%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

183

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

Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$61,080

($29.36/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

2.5%

Avg. Annual Openings

Few Opportunities

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

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

Arts, Audio/Video Technology and Communications

Technical Writers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$87,330

($41.98/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.5%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

240

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

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

Database Administrators

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$108,430

($52.13/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.2%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

165

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 Financial Specialists

Star Rating:

Education: Bachelor's degree

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$82,240

($39.54/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.2%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

240

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 Biological Scientists

Star Rating:

Education: Bachelor's degree

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$97,020

($46.64/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.1%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

125

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

Architectural and Civil Drafters

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$63,590

($30.57/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.0%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

259

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

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

Mechanical Drafters

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$61,990

($29.80/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

None or Negative Growth

-0.1%

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

Database Architects

$130,560($62.77/hr)

Bachelor's degree

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.

Statisticians

$122,630 ($58.96/hr)

Master's degree

Less than 5 years

Statisticians analyze data and apply computational techniques to solve problems.

Computer and Information Research Scientists

$124,490 ($59.85/hr)

Master's degree

Less than 5 years

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

Less than 5 years

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

Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars

$61,080 ($29.36/hr)

Associate's degree

Less than 5 years

Health information technologists and medical registrars advise organizations on computerized healthcare systems and analyze clinical data.

Web Developers

$94,070 ($45.23/hr)

Bachelor's degree

Less than 5 years

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

Less than 5 years

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

Less than 5 years

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

Less than 5 years

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

Computer Systems Analysts

$104,940 ($50.45/hr)

Bachelor's degree

Less than 5 years

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

Less than 5 years

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

Technical Writers

$87,330 ($41.98/hr)

Bachelor's degree

Less than 5 years

Technical writers, also called technical communicators, prepare instruction manuals, how-to guides, journal articles, and other supporting documents to communicate complex and technical information more easily. They also develop, gather, and disseminate technical information through an organization's communications channels.

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.

Computer Network Support Specialists

$79,680 ($38.31/hr)

Associate's degree

Less than 5 years

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

Project Management Specialists

$99,580 ($47.88/hr)

Bachelor's degree

Less than 5 years

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.

Database Administrators

$108,430 ($52.13/hr)

Bachelor's degree

Less than 5 years

Database administrators 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.

Electrical Engineers

$107,760 ($51.81/hr)

Bachelor's degree

Less than 5 years

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

All Other Financial Specialists

$82,240 ($39.54/hr)

Bachelor's degree

Less than 5 years

Financial Specialists analyze financial information, like market trends or company spending, and develop financial strategies accordingly. This category includes all financial specialists not contained somewhere else.

Postsecondary Computer Science Teachers

$77,800 ( - /hr)

Doctoral or professional degree

Less than 5 years

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 Biological Scientists

$97,020 ($46.64/hr)

Bachelor's degree

Less than 5 years

Biological Scientists study and conduct research and analysis on living organisms. This category includes all biological scientists not contained somewhere else.

All Other Engineers

$106,960 ($51.42/hr)

Bachelor's degree

Less than 5 years

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.

Architectural and Civil Drafters

$63,590 ($30.57/hr)

Associate's degree

Less than 5 years

Architectural and Civil Drafters use software to convert the designs of architects and engineers into technical drawings. Workers use technical drawings to help design buildings, infrastructure and more.

Electrical and Electronics Drafters

$76,540 ($36.80/hr)

Associate's degree

Less than 5 years

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.

Network and Computer Systems Administrators

$97,590 ($46.92/hr)

Bachelor's degree

Less than 5 years

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

Less than 5 years

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

Mechanical Drafters

$61,990 ($29.80/hr)

Associate's degree

Less than 5 years

Mechanical Drafters use software to convert the designs of engineers into technical drawings. Workers use technical drawings to help design mechanical equipment. This category includes all drafters not in the

Computer Programmers

$95,770 ($46.04/hr)

Bachelor's degree

Less than 5 years

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.

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