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 Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians

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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

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

Computer and Information Systems Managers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$167,550

($80.55/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

2.0%

Avg. Annual Openings

Very Strong Opportunity

1,788

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

Chemical Engineers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$109,940

($52.86/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

Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$107,070

($51.48/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.5%

Avg. Annual Openings

Few Opportunities

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

Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics

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

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

Materials Scientists

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$94,730

($45.54/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.0%

Avg. Annual Openings

Rare Opportunity

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

Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: High school diploma or equivalent

☆☆☆☆☆

High school diploma or equivalent

Median Annual Wage

$72,090

($34.66/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.8%

Avg. Annual Openings

Rare Opportunity

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

Nuclear Technicians

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$104,240

($50.11/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Slow Growth

0.6%

Avg. Annual Openings

Few Opportunities

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

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

Power Plant Operators

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: High school diploma or equivalent

☆☆☆☆☆

High school diploma or equivalent

Median Annual Wage

$99,290

($47.74/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

None or Negative Growth

-0.4%

Avg. Annual Openings

Few Opportunities

Median Annual Wage
Education
Experience Needed
Description

Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians

$71,670($34.46/hr)

Associate's degree

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.

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.

Computer and Information Systems Managers

$167,550 ($80.55/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

Computer and information systems managers, often called information technology (IT) managers, plan, coordinate, and direct computer-related activities in an organization. They help determine the IT goals of an organization and are responsible for implementing computer systems to meet those goals.

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.

Chemical Engineers

$109,940 ($52.86/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

Chemical engineers apply the principles of chemistry, physics, and engineering to design equipment and processes for manufacturing products such as gasoline, detergents, and paper.

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.

Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers

$107,070 ($51.48/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

Bioengineers and biomedical engineers combine engineering principles with sciences to design and create equipment, devices, computer systems, and software.

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.

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.

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.

Materials Scientists

$94,730 ($45.54/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

Materials Scientists research and analyze the chemical properties of substances to develop new materials, products, or knowledge.

Computer Network Architects

$126,000 ($60.58/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

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.

Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers

$72,090 ($34.66/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers operate or control petroleum refining or processing units. They may specialize in controlling manifold and pumping systems, gauging or testing oil in storage tanks, or regulating the flow of oil into pipelines.

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.

Nuclear Technicians

$104,240 ($50.11/hr)

Associate's degree

None

Nuclear technicians assist physicists, engineers, and other scientists in nuclear power generation and production activities. They may operate, maintain, or provide quality control for nuclear testing and research equipment and monitor radiation levels.

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.

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.

Power Plant Operators

$99,290 ($47.74/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Power plant operators control the systems that generate and distribute electric power.

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…