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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Marriage and Family Therapists

Next Step

Marriage and Family Therapists

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Master's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Master's degree

Median Annual Wage

$53,910

($25.92/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.8%

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

Nurse Practitioners

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Master's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Master's degree

Median Annual Wage

$125,020

($60.11/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

4.5%

Avg. Annual Openings

Very Strong Opportunity

919

Occupational Therapy Assistants

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$70,940

($34.11/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

3.1%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

258

Physical Therapist Assistants

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$63,930

($30.74/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

3.1%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

539

Speech-Language Pathologists

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Master's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Master's degree

Median Annual Wage

$87,420

($42.03/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

2.8%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

467

Genetic Counselors

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Master's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Master's degree

Median Annual Wage

$87,850

($42.23/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

2.5%

Avg. Annual Openings

Rare Opportunity

Massage Therapists

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Postsecondary nondegree award

☆☆☆☆☆

Postsecondary nondegree award

Median Annual Wage

$61,670

($29.65/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

2.4%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

556

Physical Therapists

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Doctoral or professional degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Doctoral or professional degree

Median Annual Wage

$96,670

($46.47/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

2.2%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

477

Occupational Therapists

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Master's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Master's degree

Median Annual Wage

$94,580

($45.47/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.8%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

266

Clinical and Counseling Psychologists

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Doctoral or professional degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Doctoral or professional degree

Median Annual Wage

$91,840

($44.15/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.8%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

138

Occupational Therapy Aides

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: High school diploma or equivalent

☆☆☆☆☆

High school diploma or equivalent

Median Annual Wage

$73,450

($35.31/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.7%

Avg. Annual Openings

Rare Opportunity

Registered Nurses

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$81,860

($39.36/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.5%

Avg. Annual Openings

Very Strong Opportunity

7,925

Healthcare Social Workers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Master's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Master's degree

Median Annual Wage

$65,140

($31.32/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.5%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

376

Health Education Specialists

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$54,720

($26.31/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.5%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

155

Social and Community Service Managers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$77,320

($37.17/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.5%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

313

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Master's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Master's degree

Median Annual Wage

$56,730

($27.28/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.4%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

130

All Other Psychologists

Star Rating:

Education: Master's degree

Master's degree

Median Annual Wage

$137,130

($65.93/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.3%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

155

Psychiatrists

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Doctoral or professional degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Doctoral or professional degree

Median Annual Wage

$$$

No Data Available

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.2%

Avg. Annual Openings

Rare Opportunity

Postsecondary Social Work Teachers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Doctoral or professional degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Doctoral or professional degree

Median Annual Wage

$69,260

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.2%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

Family Medicine Physicians

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Doctoral or professional degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Doctoral or professional degree

Median Annual Wage

$227,310

($109.28/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.1%

Avg. Annual Openings

Few Opportunities

School Psychologists

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Master's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Master's degree

Median Annual Wage

$70,090

($33.70/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.9%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

General Pediatricians

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Doctoral or professional degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Doctoral or professional degree

Median Annual Wage

$201,400

($96.83/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.7%

Avg. Annual Openings

Few Opportunities

Median Annual Wage
Education
Experience Needed
Description

Marriage and Family Therapists

$53,910($25.92/hr)

Master's degree

Marriage and family therapists diagnose and treat cognitive, behavioral, or similar disorders in the context of couples and other relationships.

Nurse Practitioners

$125,020 ($60.11/hr)

Master's degree

None

Nurse Practitioners, also referred to as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), coordinate patient care and may provide primary and specialty healthcare. The scope of practice varies from state to state.

Occupational Therapy Assistants

$70,940 ($34.11/hr)

Associate's degree

None

Occupational therapy assistants help occupational therapists provide treatments and procedures to clients.

Physical Therapist Assistants

$63,930 ($30.74/hr)

Associate's degree

None

Physical therapist assistants, sometimes called PTAs, work under the direction and supervision of physical therapists. They help patients who are recovering from injuries and illnesses to regain movement and manage pain.

Speech-Language Pathologists

$87,420 ($42.03/hr)

Master's degree

None

Speech-language pathologists (sometimes called speech therapists) assess and treat people who have speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders. They also treat clients who have problems swallowing.

Genetic Counselors

$87,850 ($42.23/hr)

Master's degree

None

Genetic counselors assess clients' risk for a variety of inherited conditions, such as birth defects. They review genetic test results with individuals and families and support them in making decisions based on those results. They also offer information to other healthcare providers.

Massage Therapists

$61,670 ($29.65/hr)

Postsecondary nondegree award

None

Massage therapists treat clients by applying pressure to manipulate the body's soft tissues and joints. This treatment may help to relieve pain, heal injuries, relieve stress, and aid in the general wellness of clients.

Physical Therapists

$96,670 ($46.47/hr)

Doctoral or professional degree

None

Physical therapists help injured or ill people improve movement and manage pain. They are often an important part of preventive care, rehabilitation, and treatment for patients with chronic conditions, illnesses, or injuries.

Occupational Therapists

$94,580 ($45.47/hr)

Master's degree

None

Occupational therapists evaluate and treat people who have injuries, illnesses, or disabilities. They help clients meet goals to develop, recover, improve, and maintain skills needed for daily living and working.

Clinical and Counseling Psychologists

$91,840 ($44.15/hr)

Doctoral or professional degree

None

Clinical and Counseling Psychologists assess, diagnose, and treat mental and emotional disorders of individuals through observation, interview, and psychological tests. They help individuals with distress or maladjustment understand their problems through their knowledge of case history, interviews with patients, and theory.

Occupational Therapy Aides

$73,450 ($35.31/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Occupational therapy aides do select or routine tasks, such as preparing treatment rooms, under the direction of occupational therapists or occupational therapy assistants.

Registered Nurses

$81,860 ($39.36/hr)

Associate's degree

None

Registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their families.

Healthcare Social Workers

$65,140 ($31.32/hr)

Master's degree

None

Healthcare Social Workers help individuals, groups, and families prevent and cope with problems in their everyday lives.

Health Education Specialists

$54,720 ($26.31/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

Health education specialists teach people about behaviors that promote wellness. They develop strategies to improve the well-being of individuals and communities.

Social and Community Service Managers

$77,320 ($37.17/hr)

Bachelor's degree

Less than 5 years

Social and community service managers coordinate and supervise programs and organizations that support public well-being. They direct workers who provide these services to the public.

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

$56,730 ($27.28/hr)

Master's degree

None

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers help individuals, groups, and families prevent and cope with problems in their everyday lives. Clinical social workers diagnose and treat mental, behavioral, and emotional problems.

All Other Psychologists

$137,130 ($65.93/hr)

Master's degree

None

Psychologists study cognitive, emotional, and social processes and behavior by observing, interpreting, and recording how people relate to one another and to their environments. They use their findings to help improve processes and behaviors.

Psychiatrists

- ( - /hr)

Doctoral or professional degree

None

Psychiatrists are doctors who diagnose, treat, and help prevent psychological and brain disorders.

Postsecondary Social Work Teachers

$69,260 ( - /hr)

Doctoral or professional degree

None

Postsecondary Social Work Teachers instruct students in a variety of social work related subjects beyond the high school level. They may also conduct research and publish scholarly papers and books.

Family Medicine Physicians

$227,310 ($109.28/hr)

Doctoral or professional degree

None

Family Medicine Physicians diagnose, treat, and provide preventive care to individuals and families across the lifespan. May refer patients to specialists when needed for further diagnosis or treatment.

School Psychologists

$70,090 ($33.70/hr)

Master's degree

None

School Psychologsts diagnose and implement individual or schoolwide interventions or strategies to address educational, behavioral, or developmental issues that adversely impact educational functioning in a school.

General Pediatricians

$201,400 ($96.83/hr)

Doctoral or professional degree

None

Pediatricians are doctors who diagnose, treat, and help prevent children's diseases and injuries.

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…