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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Veterinary Technologists and Technicians

Next Step

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$45,460

($21.86/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

2.4%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

452

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

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

Respiratory Therapists

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$77,050

($37.04/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

2.4%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

342

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$83,480

($40.14/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

2.4%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

285

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

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$83,450

($40.12/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.7%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

Surgical Technologists

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Postsecondary nondegree award

☆☆☆☆☆

Postsecondary nondegree award

Median Annual Wage

$58,710

($28.23/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.6%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

276

Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$58,050

($27.91/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.6%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

123

Dietitians and Nutritionists

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$64,910

($31.21/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.6%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

208

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

Radiologic Technologists and Technicians

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$67,150

($32.29/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.5%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

550

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

Medical Records Specialists

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Postsecondary nondegree award

☆☆☆☆☆

Postsecondary nondegree award

Median Annual Wage

$47,840

($23.00/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.5%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

469

Paramedics

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Postsecondary nondegree award

☆☆☆☆☆

Postsecondary nondegree award

Median Annual Wage

$51,110

($24.57/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.5%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

298

Radiation Therapists

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$95,680

($46.00/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.4%

Avg. Annual Openings

Few Opportunities

Dental Hygienists

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$89,720

($43.14/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.4%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

566

Dental Assistants

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Postsecondary nondegree award

☆☆☆☆☆

Postsecondary nondegree award

Median Annual Wage

$48,710

($23.42/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.3%

Avg. Annual Openings

Very Strong Opportunity

1,966

Biological Technicians

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Bachelor's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Bachelor's degree

Median Annual Wage

$46,050

($22.14/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.2%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

383

Nuclear Medicine Technologists

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Associate's degree

☆☆☆☆☆

Associate's degree

Median Annual Wage

$83,820

($40.30/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.1%

Avg. Annual Openings

Few Opportunities

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: Postsecondary nondegree award

☆☆☆☆☆

Postsecondary nondegree award

Median Annual Wage

$61,380

($29.51/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.0%

Avg. Annual Openings

Very Strong Opportunity

1,491

Median Annual Wage
Education
Experience Needed
Description

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians

$45,460($21.86/hr)

Associate's degree

Veterinary technologists and technicians, supervised by licensed veterinarians, do medical tests that help diagnose animals' injuries and illnesses.

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.

Respiratory Therapists

$77,050 ($37.04/hr)

Associate's degree

None

Respiratory therapists care for patients who have trouble breathing—for example, because of conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Their patients range from premature infants with undeveloped lungs to older adults whose lungs are diseased.

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

$83,480 ($40.14/hr)

Associate's degree

None

Diagnostic medical sonographers operate special equipment to create images or conduct tests. They work closely with physicians and surgeons, who view the images and test results to assess and diagnose medical conditions.

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.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists

$83,450 ($40.12/hr)

Associate's degree

Less than 5 years

MRI technologists operate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners to create diagnostic images.

Surgical Technologists

$58,710 ($28.23/hr)

Postsecondary nondegree award

None

Surgical Technologists help with surgical operations. Sometimes called operating room technicians, they prepare operating rooms, arrange equipment, and help doctors and first assistants during surgeries.

Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians

$58,050 ($27.91/hr)

Associate's degree

None

Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians operate special equipment to create images or conduct tests. They work closely with physicians and surgeons, who view the images and test results to assess and diagnose medical conditions.

Dietitians and Nutritionists

$64,910 ($31.21/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

Dietitians and nutritionists are experts in the use of food and nutrition to promote health and manage disease. They plan and conduct food service or nutritional programs to help people lead healthy lives.

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.

Radiologic Technologists and Technicians

$67,150 ($32.29/hr)

Associate's degree

None

Radiologic technologists, also known as radiographers, perform x rays and other diagnostic imaging examinations on patients.

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.

Medical Records Specialists

$47,840 ($23.00/hr)

Postsecondary nondegree award

None

Medical records specialists compile, process, and maintain patient files. They also may classify and enter patients' medical information into the healthcare industry's numerical coding system.

Paramedics

$51,110 ($24.57/hr)

Postsecondary nondegree award

Less than 5 years

Paramedics assess injuries and illnesses, provide emergency medical care, and may transport patients to medical facilities.

Radiation Therapists

$95,680 ($46.00/hr)

Associate's degree

None

Radiation therapists administer doses of radiation to patients who have cancer or other serious diseases.

Dental Hygienists

$89,720 ($43.14/hr)

Associate's degree

None

Dental hygienists examine patients for signs of oral diseases, such as gingivitis, and provide preventive care, including oral hygiene. They also educate patients about oral health.

Dental Assistants

$48,710 ($23.42/hr)

Postsecondary nondegree award

None

Dental assistants have many tasks, including patient care, recordkeeping, and appointment scheduling. Their duties vary by state and by the dentists' offices in which they work.

Biological Technicians

$46,050 ($22.14/hr)

Bachelor's degree

None

Biological technicians help biological and medical scientists with tasks such as laboratory setup, data collection, and observation. They also may analyze organic substances, such as blood, food, and drugs.

Nuclear Medicine Technologists

$83,820 ($40.30/hr)

Associate's degree

None

Nuclear medicine technologists prepare radioactive drugs and administer them to patients for imaging or treatment. They provide technical support to physicians or others who diagnose, care for, and treat patients and to researchers who investigate uses of radioactive drugs. They also may act as emergency responders in the event of a nuclear disaster.

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

$61,380 ($29.51/hr)

Postsecondary nondegree award

None

Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) provide basic medical care to ill, injured, or convalescing patients or to persons with disabilities. Responsibilities for LPNs and LVNs are nearly identical; their title depends on the state in which they work.

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…