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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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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

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.

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Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners

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Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: High school diploma or equivalent

☆☆☆☆☆

High school diploma or equivalent

Median Annual Wage

$37,420

($17.99/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.8%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

131

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Star
Rating

Education
Requirement

Median
Annual Wage

Annual
Growth Rate

Avg. Annual
Openings

Industrial Machinery Mechanics

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: High school diploma or equivalent

☆☆☆☆☆

High school diploma or equivalent

Median Annual Wage

$56,260

($27.05/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

2.3%

Avg. Annual Openings

Very Strong Opportunity

1,810

Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics

Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: High school diploma or equivalent

☆☆☆☆☆

High school diploma or equivalent

Median Annual Wage

$53,720

($25.83/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.6%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

690

Earth Drillers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: High school diploma or equivalent

☆☆☆☆☆

High school diploma or equivalent

Median Annual Wage

$46,820

($22.51/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.5%

Avg. Annual Openings

Few Opportunities

Electricians

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: High school diploma or equivalent

☆☆☆☆☆

High school diploma or equivalent

Median Annual Wage

$49,020

($23.57/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.5%

Avg. Annual Openings

Very Strong Opportunity

2,628

Machinery Maintenance Workers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: High school diploma or equivalent

☆☆☆☆☆

High school diploma or equivalent

Median Annual Wage

$49,980

($24.03/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Very Strong Growth

1.4%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

417

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: High school diploma or equivalent

☆☆☆☆☆

High school diploma or equivalent

Median Annual Wage

$45,380

($21.82/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.1%

Avg. Annual Openings

Very Strong Opportunity

1,855

Brickmasons and Blockmasons

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: High school diploma or equivalent

☆☆☆☆☆

High school diploma or equivalent

Median Annual Wage

$46,350

($22.28/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.0%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

256

Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: High school diploma or equivalent

☆☆☆☆☆

High school diploma or equivalent

Median Annual Wage

$45,900

($22.07/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.0%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

138

First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: High school diploma or equivalent

☆☆☆☆☆

High school diploma or equivalent

Median Annual Wage

$68,390

($32.88/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.0%

Avg. Annual Openings

Very Strong Opportunity

2,223

Rail Car Repairers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: High school diploma or equivalent

☆☆☆☆☆

High school diploma or equivalent

Median Annual Wage

$61,890

($29.76/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Strong Growth

1.0%

Avg. Annual Openings

Few Opportunities

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: High school diploma or equivalent

☆☆☆☆☆

High school diploma or equivalent

Median Annual Wage

$47,220

($22.70/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.9%

Avg. Annual Openings

Very Strong Opportunity

1,910

Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: High school diploma or equivalent

☆☆☆☆☆

High school diploma or equivalent

Median Annual Wage

$52,730

($25.35/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.9%

Avg. Annual Openings

Few Opportunities

Roofers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: No formal educational credential

☆☆☆☆☆

No formal educational credential

Median Annual Wage

$43,130

($20.74/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.9%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

321

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

$62,450

($30.03/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.9%

Avg. Annual Openings

Very Strong Opportunity

3,906

Helpers- Extraction Workers

Star Rating:

Education: High school diploma or equivalent

High school diploma or equivalent

Median Annual Wage

$44,720

($21.50/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.9%

Avg. Annual Openings

Rare Opportunity

Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: High school diploma or equivalent

☆☆☆☆☆

High school diploma or equivalent

Median Annual Wage

$48,220

($23.18/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.8%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

Home Appliance Repairers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: High school diploma or equivalent

☆☆☆☆☆

High school diploma or equivalent

Median Annual Wage

$46,500

($22.36/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.7%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

117

Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: High school diploma or equivalent

☆☆☆☆☆

High school diploma or equivalent

Median Annual Wage

$66,160

($31.81/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.7%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

480

Carpenters

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: High school diploma or equivalent

☆☆☆☆☆

High school diploma or equivalent

Median Annual Wage

$44,980

($21.63/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Average Growth

0.7%

Avg. Annual Openings

Very Strong Opportunity

2,339

Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: High school diploma or equivalent

☆☆☆☆☆

High school diploma or equivalent

Median Annual Wage

$66,910

($32.17/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Slow Growth

0.6%

Avg. Annual Openings

Few Opportunities

Surface Mining Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: High school diploma or equivalent

☆☆☆☆☆

High school diploma or equivalent

Median Annual Wage

$47,360

($22.77/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Slow Growth

0.5%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

Control and Valve Installers and Repairers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: High school diploma or equivalent

☆☆☆☆☆

High school diploma or equivalent

Median Annual Wage

$61,580

($29.61/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

Slow Growth

0.5%

Avg. Annual Openings

Average Opportunity

156

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: High school diploma or equivalent

☆☆☆☆☆

High school diploma or equivalent

Median Annual Wage

$45,930

($22.08/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

None or Negative Growth

-0.2%

Avg. Annual Openings

Strong Opportunity

322

Boilermakers

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: High school diploma or equivalent

☆☆☆☆☆

High school diploma or equivalent

Median Annual Wage

$65,720

($31.60/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

None or Negative Growth

-0.2%

Avg. Annual Openings

Rare Opportunity

Power Plant Operators

Star Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆

Education: High school diploma or equivalent

☆☆☆☆☆

High school diploma or equivalent

Median Annual Wage

$76,820

($36.93/hr)

Annual Growth Rate

None or Negative Growth

-1.5%

Avg. Annual Openings

Few Opportunities

Median Annual Wage
Education
Experience Needed
Description

Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners

$37,420($17.99/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners cleanse and repair septic tanks, sewer lines, or drains. They can also patch walls and partitions of tank, replace damaged drain tile, or repair breaks in underground piping.

Industrial Machinery Mechanics

$56,260 ($27.05/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Industrial machinery mechanics and machinery maintenance workers maintain and repair factory equipment and other industrial machinery, such as conveying systems, production machinery, and packaging equipment. Millwrights install, dismantle, repair, reassemble, and move machinery in factories, power plants, and construction sites.

Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics

$53,720 ($25.83/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians, also called mechanics, inspect, maintain, and repair vehicles and machinery used in construction, farming, rail transportation, and other industries.

Earth Drillers

$46,820 ($22.51/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

Less than 5 years

Earth Drillers operate a variety of drills such as rotary, churn, and pneumatic to tap subsurface water and salt deposits, to remove core samples during mineral exploration or soil testing, and to facilitate the use of explosives in mining or construction.

Electricians

$49,020 ($23.57/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical power, communications, lighting, and control systems in homes, businesses, and factories.

Machinery Maintenance Workers

$49,980 ($24.03/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators

$45,380 ($21.82/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators use construction equipment like bulldozers and front-end loaders to dig, move, and grade earth; erect structures; or pour concrete. Among other duties, they may repair and maintain equipment.

Brickmasons and Blockmasons

$46,350 ($22.28/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Brickmasons and Blockmasons (or, simply, masons) use bricks and concrete blocks to build fences, walkways, walls, and other structures.

Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians

$45,900 ($22.07/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers

$68,390 ($32.88/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.

Rail Car Repairers

$61,890 ($29.76/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

$47,220 ($22.70/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters install and repair piping fixtures and systems.

Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators

$52,730 ($25.35/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators control stationary engines, boilers, or other mechanical equipment to provide utilities for buildings or for industrial purposes.

Roofers

$43,130 ($20.74/hr)

No formal educational credential

None

Roofers replace, repair, and install the roofs of buildings, using a variety of materials, including shingles, bitumen, and metal.

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers

$62,450 ($30.03/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.

Helpers- Extraction Workers

$44,720 ($21.50/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Extraction Workers Helpers support extraction craft workers, such as earth drillers, blasters and explosives workers, derrick operators, and mining machine operators, by performing duties requiring less skill. Their duties include supplying equipment and cleaning their work area.

Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers

$48,220 ($23.18/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

Less than 5 years

Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers fix, maintain, or install electric motors, wiring, or switches.

Home Appliance Repairers

$46,500 ($22.36/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Home appliance repairers install, adjust, or repair all types of electric or gas household appliances, such as refrigerators, washers, dryers, and ovens.

Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers

$66,160 ($31.81/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Line installers and repairers, also known as line workers, install or repair electrical power systems and telecommunications cables, including fiber optics.

Carpenters

$44,980 ($21.63/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Carpenters construct, repair, and install building frameworks and structures made from wood and other materials.

Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators

$66,910 ($32.17/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Rail-track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators install, repair, and maintain track for standard or narrow-gauge railroad equipment used in regular railroad service or in plant yards, quarries, sand and gravel pits, and mines.

Surface Mining Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators

$47,360 ($22.77/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

Less than 5 years

Surface Mining Excavating Machine, Loading Machine, and Dragline Operators handle or tend machinery at surface mining sites. They use vehicles and tools equipped with scoops, shovels, or buckets to excavate and load loose materials.

Control and Valve Installers and Repairers

$61,580 ($29.61/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Control and valve installers and repairers install, repair, and maintain mechanical regulating and controlling devices, such as electric meters, gas regulators, thermostats, safety and flow valves, and other mechanical governors.

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators

$45,930 ($22.08/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators manage a system of machines, often through the use of control boards, to transfer or treat water or wastewater.

Boilermakers

$65,720 ($31.60/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Boilermakers assemble, install, maintain, and repair boilers, closed vats, and other large vessels or containers that hold liquids and gases.

Power Plant Operators

$76,820 ($36.93/hr)

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Power Plant Operators, Distributors, and Dispatchers control the systems that generate and distribute electric power.

First Step

Find out what's next in line on your career journey, or find our where to start your new journey.

This tool can help you understand a potential pathway to a goal career. The circle at the top right represents your goal job. The circles on the left are jobs that have similar job skills or job duties to your dream job but typically pay less. They may also require lower educational attainment or skills.