NC Career Outlook
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Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics career cluster

occupation SOC code interests minimum education growth outlook current workers salary entry salary all
Computer and Information Scientists, Research15-1011.00*Doctorate2.13360$57,150$93,190
Mathematical Science Occupations, all other15-2099.99*Master**$40,950$62,850
Engineers, all other17-2199.99*Bachelor1.911,810$55,710$80,640
Drafters, all other17-3019.99*1,2 year1.27350$32,860$58,930
Engineering Technicians, Except Drafters, all other17-3029.99*Associate1.421,120$27,270$51,250
Biological Scientists, all other19-1029.99*Bachelor1.931,320$51,060$73,870
Life Scientists, all other19-1099.99*Bachelor2.77920$50,180$69,680
Physical Scientists, all other19-2099.99*Bachelor****
Survey Researchers19-3022.00*Master2.35540$30,350$45,120
Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, all other19-4099.99*Associate1.973,150$27,720$38,920
occupation SOC code interests minimum education growth outlook current workers salary entry salary all
Technical Writers27-3042.00AIBachelor2.191,040$42,400$63,040
Social Science Research Assistants19-4061.00CIAssociate2.20440$23,060$34,100
Engineering Managers11-9041.00EIRCBachelor +1.456,040$80,150$117,710
Industrial Engineers17-2112.00EIRCBachelor1.986,170$49,250$70,380
Anthropologists and Archeologists19-3091.00IAMaster**$33,230$48,470
Historians19-3093.00IAMaster**$32,110$48,640
Political Scientists19-3094.00IAMaster****
Statisticians15-2041.00ICMaster2.26710$51,380$79,320
Mathematicians15-2021.00ICAMaster**$47,340$80,460
Mathematical Technicians15-2091.00ICRBachelor****
Chemical Engineers17-2041.00IRBachelor1.02680$55,030$81,080
occupation SOC code interests minimum education growth outlook current workers salary entry salary all
Electrical Engineers17-2071.00IRBachelor0.962,670$53,550$79,630
Electronics Engineers, Except Computer17-2072.00IRBachelor0.412,570$58,880$84,570
Materials Engineers17-2131.00IRBachelor0.46450$58,320$75,950
Microbiologists19-1022.00IRDoctorate1.74280$39,930$62,240
Conservation Scientists19-1031.00IRBachelor1.18390$34,830$53,270
Atmospheric and Space Scientists19-2021.00IRBachelor0.79160$56,160$86,050
Materials Scientists19-2032.00IRBachelor1.56230$48,970$79,980
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health19-2041.00IRMaster2.193,120$37,890$55,310
Geographers19-3092.00IRMaster**$52,790$66,790
Aerospace Engineers17-2011.00IRCBachelor2.52500$59,070$80,530
Agricultural Engineers17-2021.00IRCBachelor**$60,460$81,600
occupation SOC code interests minimum education growth outlook current workers salary entry salary all
Computer Hardware Engineers17-2061.00IRCBachelor1.841,470$65,350$96,060
Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors17-2111.00IRCBachelor0.91690$48,510$68,150
Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers17-2151.00IRCBachelor****
Nuclear Engineers17-2161.00IRCBachelor0.86400$65,230$90,290
Astronomers19-2011.00IRCDoctorate****
Physicists19-2012.00IRCDoctorate2.26520$49,450$78,640
Chemists19-2031.00IRCBachelor1.613,610$42,460$65,900
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers19-2042.00IRCMaster2.97390**
Hydrologists19-2043.00IRCMaster0.91170$44,910$59,320
Electro-Mechanical Technicians17-3024.00RAssociate-0.25240$34,880$45,180
Architectural and Civil Drafters17-3011.00RC1,2 year0.732,830$32,240$44,610
occupation SOC code interests minimum education growth outlook current workers salary entry salary all
Surveying and Mapping Technicians17-3031.00RCmod. OJT2.004,360$24,110$33,680
Electrical and Electronics Drafters17-3012.00RCI1,2 year1.11800$36,690$51,590
Marine Engineers and Naval Architects17-2121.00RIBachelor****
Mechanical Engineers17-2141.00RIBachelor0.794,700$51,600$70,030
Petroleum Engineers17-2171.00RIBachelor****
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technicians17-3023.00RIAssociate0.853,580$35,730$49,610
Nuclear Technicians19-4051.00RIAssociate**$47,240$64,510
Agricultural and Food Science Technicians19-4011.00RICAssociate1.97790$26,150$36,400
Biological Technicians19-4021.00RICAssociate2.443,320$27,830$40,380
Chemical Technicians19-4031.00RICAssociate0.431,870$27,970$38,800

* data not available



SOC Codes

Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system classifies all careers and assigns a unique number to each. This SOC number can be used to follow up with other career databases.


Interests

Interests are the likes and dislikes of people who work in each career. Matching your interests can help you find a career that will be more satisfying and rewarding for you than occupations that do not meet your interests. Knowing your work interests can help you decide what kinds of jobs and careers you want to explore.

People and work environments can be classified into these six different groups:

Take an Interest Assessment to discover your interests.


Minimum Postsecondary Education Required

Minimum education is the usual minimum level of postsecondary (after high school) education required for each career.

Some careers have on-the-job training (OJT), which means that you go straight to the job and learn while you work.

Some careers require further education after high school before starting the career.


Growth Outlook

Growth outlook is the projected growth of the number of career openings per year in North Carolina from 2006 to 2016. High growth means that the number of openings are increasing, so the likelihood of getting a job in this career is good. Low growth means that there may not be any openings, so the likelihood of getting a job in this career is not very good.

White background indicates that growth outlook information is not available.


Number of Current Workers in NC

Current workers (2006 data) is the number of people in North Carolina who are full-time and part-time employees, workers on paid vacation or other type of paid leave, workers assigned temporarily to other units and paid owners, officers and staff of incorporated firms. This excludes proprietors, owners and partners of unincorporated firms, unpaid family workers, workers on unpaid leave and contractors and temporary agency employees not on the company payroll.


Entry-Level NC Salaries

Salary entry is the average salary for all entry-level (first-year) workers in this career in North Carolina. The entry wage is the mean of the first third of the wage distribution from the 2008 Occupational Employment Statistics combined wage file.

Salary includes straight time, gross pay, exclusive of premium pay. Base rate, cost-of-living allowances, tips, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay, commissions, production bonuses and on-call pay are included. Excluded is back pay, jury duty pay, overtime pay, severance pay, shift differentials, non-production bonuses and tuition reimbursements.


Average NC Salaries

Salary all is the average salary for all workers in this career in North Carolina. Data were prepared from the 2008 Occupational Employment Statistics combined wage file.

Salary includes straight time, gross pay, exclusive of premium pay. Base rate, cost-of-living allowances, tips, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay, commissions, production bonuses and on-call pay are included. Excluded is back pay, jury duty pay, overtime pay, severance pay, shift differentials, non-production bonuses and tuition reimbursements.



The data come from multiple data tables from the NC Employment Security Commission - Labor Market Information. Blanks in this table represent missing data, some due to confidentiality because of small numbers of workers in an occupation.

Database updated 09/02/09




Comments, suggestions, and corrections are welcome. WebGuy -at- NcCareerOutlook.com.


Brought to you by the School-to-Work/Careers Section of the Association for Career and Technical Education