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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Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians

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Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$51,180

($24.60/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.7%

Avg. Annual Openings

Rare Opportunity

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

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

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

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

Natural Sciences Managers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$167,430

($80.50/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.5%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

405

Environmental Engineers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$104,040

($50.02/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.4%

Avg. Annual Openings

Few Opportunities

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

Environmental Scientists and Specialists

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$65,800

($31.64/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.3%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

367

Civil Engineers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$93,590

($45.00/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.3%

Avg. Annual Openings

Very Strong Opportunity

857

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

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

All Other Managers

Star Rating:

Education: Bachelor's degree

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$131,990

($63.46/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.1%

Avg. Annual Openings

Very Strong Opportunity

3,422

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

Compliance Officers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$74,810

($35.96/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.0%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

701

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

Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$60,460

($29.07/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.7%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

281

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

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

First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers

Star Rating:

Education: High school diploma or equivalent

High school diploma or equivalent

Median Annual Wage

$57,410

($27.60/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Slow Growth

0.3%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

271

Median Annual Wage
Education
Experience Needed
Description

Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians

$51,180($24.60/hr)

Associate's degree

Environmental engineering technologists and technicians carry out the plans that environmental engineers develop.

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.

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.

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.

Natural Sciences Managers

$167,430 ($80.50/hr)

Bachelor's degree

5 years or more

Natural sciences managers plan, supervise, or coordinate activities in fields such as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, and statistics. They direct work related to research and development and coordinate activities such as testing, quality control, and production.

Environmental Engineers

$104,040 ($50.02/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

Environmental engineers use engineering disciplines in developing solutions to problems of planetary health. Their work may involve concerns such as waste treatment, site remediation, and pollution control technology.

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.

Environmental Scientists and Specialists

$65,800 ($31.64/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

Environmental scientists and specialists conduct research or investigations to protect the environment or human health. They may collect, study, and report on data of air, food, water and other sources and then recommend action.

Civil Engineers

$93,590 ($45.00/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

Civil engineers plan, design, and supervise the construction and maintenance of building and infrastructure projects. These projects may include facilities, bridges, roads, tunnels, and water and sewage systems.

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.

Construction Managers

$104,750 ($50.36/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

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

All Other Managers

$131,990 ($63.46/hr)

Bachelor's degree

Less than 5 years

Managers supervise and coordinate a team of workers. This category includes all managers not contained somewhere else.

Facilities Managers

$102,120 ($49.09/hr)

Bachelor's degree

Less than 5 years

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

Compliance Officers

$74,810 ($35.96/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

Compliance officers make sure that people and organizations meet legal and regulatory requirements.

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.

Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians

$60,460 ($29.07/hr)

Associate's degree

None

Civil engineering technologists and technicians help civil engineers plan, design, and build highways, bridges, utilities, and other infrastructure projects. They also help to plan, design, and build commercial, industrial, residential, and land development projects.

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.

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.

First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers

$57,410 ($27.60/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

Less than 5 years

First-line supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry workers directly supervise and coordinate the activities of agricultural, forestry, aquacultural, and related workers.

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…