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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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Forest and Conservation Technicians

Next Step

Forest and Conservation Technicians

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$45,570

($21.91/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Slow Growth

0.3%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average 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

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

Geoscientists

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$79,710

($38.32/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.9%

Avg. Annual Openings

Few Opportunities

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

Occupational Health and Safety Technicians

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: High school diploma or equivalent

☆☆☆☆☆

High school diploma or equivalent

Median Annual Wage

$57,610

($27.70/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.5%

Avg. Annual Openings

Few Opportunities

Surveyors

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$67,870

($32.63/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.5%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

110

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

Soil and Plant Scientists

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$68,240

($32.81/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.3%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

178

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

First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Postsecondary nondegree award

☆☆☆☆☆

Postsecondary nondegree award

Median Annual Wage

$63,840

($30.69/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.3%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

259

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

Conservation Scientists

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$61,820

($29.72/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.1%

Avg. Annual Openings

Few Opportunities

First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: High school diploma or equivalent

☆☆☆☆☆

High school diploma or equivalent

Median Annual Wage

$55,880

($26.87/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.1%

Avg. Annual Openings

Very Strong Opportunity

1,056

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 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

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

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

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$61,930

($29.78/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Slow Growth

0.6%

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

Foresters

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$70,320

($33.81/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Slow Growth

0.3%

Avg. Annual Openings

Rare Opportunity

Hydrologists

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$$$

No Data Available

Annual Growth Rate

Slow Growth

0.1%

Avg. Annual Openings

Rare Opportunity

Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers

Star Rating:

Education: High school diploma or equivalent

High school diploma or equivalent

Median Annual Wage

$79,690

($38.31/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

None or Negative Growth

-0.6%

Avg. Annual Openings

Very Strong Opportunity

2,821

Median Annual Wage
Education
Experience Needed
Description

Forest and Conservation Technicians

$45,570($21.91/hr)

Associate's degree

Forest and Conservation Technicians provide technical assistance regarding the conservation of soil, water, forests, or related natural resources. They compile data pertaining to size, content, condition, and other characteristics of forest tracts under the direction of foresters, or train and lead forest workers in forest propagation and fire prevention and suppression. They may assist conservation scientists in managing, improving, and protecting rangelands and wildlife habitats.

Geoscientists

$79,710 ($38.32/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

Geoscientists study the physical aspects of the Earth, such as its composition, structure, and processes, to learn about its past and present and to predict future events.

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.

Occupational Health and Safety Technicians

$57,610 ($27.70/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Occupational health and safety technicians 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.

Surveyors

$67,870 ($32.63/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

Surveyors make precise measurements to determine property boundaries. They provide data relevant to features of the Earth's surface, such as shape and contour, for engineering, mapmaking, construction, and other purposes.

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.

Soil and Plant Scientists

$68,240 ($32.81/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

Soil and Plant Scientists conduct research in breeding, physiology, production, yield, and management of crops, trees, shrubs, and nursery stock. They study the chemical composition of soils as they relate to plant or crop growth.

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.

First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers

$63,840 ($30.69/hr)

Postsecondary nondegree award

Less than 5 years

First-line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in firefighting and fire prevention and control.

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.

Conservation Scientists

$61,820 ($29.72/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

Conservation scientists manage the land quality of forests, parks, rangelands, and other natural resources.

First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers

$55,880 ($26.87/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

Less than 5 years

First-line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping workers directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in landscaping or groundskeeping activities. Work may involve reviewing contracts to ascertain service, machine, and workforce requirements, answering inquiries from potential customers regarding methods, material, and price ranges, and preparing estimates according to labor, material, and machine costs.

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 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.

Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians

$51,180 ($24.60/hr)

Associate's degree

None

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

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.

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists

$61,930 ($29.78/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

Zoologists and wildlife biologists study animals, those both in captivity and in the wild, and how they interact with their ecosystems. They focus primarily on undomesticated animals and their behavior, as well as on the impact humans have on wildlife and natural habitats.

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.

Foresters

$70,320 ($33.81/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

Foresters manage the land quality of forests, parks, rangelands, and other natural resources.

Hydrologists

- ( - /hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

Hydrologists study water and how it moves across and through the Earth's crust. They research the distribution, circulation, and physical properties of surface water and groundwater. They also study the form and intensity of precipitation and its rate of evaporation into the atmosphere, infiltration into soil, or return to the ocean.

Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers

$79,690 ($38.31/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

5 years or more

Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers run establishments that produce crops, livestock, and dairy products.

First Step

Start Planning

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Why should I see my school counselor?

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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?

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Can I talk to a career counselor if I’m not in school?

NCWorks has programs that can help with career planning and more…