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

Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians

Next Step

Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$57,690

($27.73/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.7%

Avg. Annual Openings

Few Opportunities

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

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$83,280

($40.04/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

2.4%

Avg. Annual Openings

Rare Opportunity

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Postsecondary nondegree award

☆☆☆☆☆

Postsecondary nondegree award

Median Annual Wage

$60,880

($29.27/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

2.2%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

Industrial Machinery Mechanics

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: High school diploma or equivalent

☆☆☆☆☆

High school diploma or equivalent

Median Annual Wage

$60,860

($29.26/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

2.0%

Avg. Annual Openings

Very Strong Opportunity

1,568

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

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 Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians

Star Rating:

Education: Associate's degree

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$66,090

($31.77/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.2%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

262

Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Postsecondary nondegree award

☆☆☆☆☆

Postsecondary nondegree award

Median Annual Wage

$69,320

($33.33/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.2%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

452

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

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

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

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

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

Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$65,960

($31.71/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.8%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

203

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

Arts, Audio/Video Technology and Communications

Television, Video, and Film Camera Operators

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$62,130

($29.87/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.7%

Avg. Annual Openings

Few Opportunities

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: High school diploma or equivalent

☆☆☆☆☆

High school diploma or equivalent

Median Annual Wage

$66,640

($32.04/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Slow Growth

0.5%

Avg. Annual Openings

Very Strong Opportunity

2,365

Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$62,760

($30.17/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Slow Growth

0.5%

Avg. Annual Openings

Few Opportunities

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

Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians

$57,690($27.73/hr)

Associate's degree

Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians combine knowledge of mechanical technology with knowledge of electrical and electronic circuitry. They operate, test, and maintain unmanned, automated, robotic, or electromechanical equipment.

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.

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians

$83,280 ($40.04/hr)

Associate's degree

None

Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians install, run, and maintain equipment used to develop, test, produce, and sustain aircraft and spacecraft. Their work is critical to ensuring the safety and precision of key parts of these vehicles and systems.

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers

$60,880 ($29.27/hr)

Postsecondary nondegree award

None

Computer Numerically Controlled Machine Tool Programmers make programs to control machining or processing of metal or plastic parts. They use automatic machine tools, equipment, or systems.

Industrial Machinery Mechanics

$60,860 ($29.26/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Industrial machinery mechanics maintain and repair factory equipment and other industrial machinery, such as conveying systems, production machinery, and packaging 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.

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.

Electrical Engineers

$107,760 ($51.81/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

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

All Other Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians

$66,090 ($31.77/hr)

Associate's degree

None

Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians support scientists and engineers in many facets of science. This category includes all life, physical, and social science technicians not contained somewhere else.

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians

$69,320 ($33.33/hr)

Postsecondary nondegree award

None

Aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians repair and perform scheduled maintenance on aircraft.

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.

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.

Avionics Technicians

$62,060 ($29.84/hr)

Postsecondary nondegree award

None

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

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.

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.

Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians

$65,960 ($31.71/hr)

Associate's degree

None

Industrial engineering technologists and technicians help engineers solve problems affecting manufacturing layout or production. They prepare machinery and equipment plans, design workflows, conduct statistical production studies, and analyze production costs.

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.

Television, Video, and Film Camera Operators

$62,130 ($29.87/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

Television, Video and Film Camera Operators manipulate images that entertain or inform an audience. They capture a wide range of material for television, movies, and other media.

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers

$66,640 ($32.04/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

Less than 5 years

First-line Supervisors of Production and Operating workers directly supervise and coordinate the activities of production and operating workers, such as inspectors, precision workers, machine setters and operators, assemblers, fabricators, and plant and system operators. This category excludes team or work leaders.

Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians

$62,760 ($30.17/hr)

Associate's degree

None

Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians help mechanical engineers design, develop, test, and manufacture tools, engines, machines, and other devices. They may make sketches and rough layouts, record and analyze data, and report their findings.

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…