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Picking a career path can be difficult and overwhelming. However, knowing
some of the jobs in each path, and what education is necessary can make the
process a lot less stressful. Find your fit in one of the career paths below!
Architecture, Engineering & Design
WHAT THEY DO
EDUCATION LEVEL
AVG. KC SALARY
1. Mechanical Engineers: Perform engineering duties in planning and designing tools, engines, machines, and other mechanically functioning equipment. Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of equipment such as centralized heat, gas, water, and steam systems.
Bachelor’s degree
$92,000
2. Architects: Plan and design structures, such as private residences, office buildings, theaters, factories, and other structural property.
Bachelor’s degree
$89,300
3. Electrical Engineers: Research, design, develop, test, or supervise the manufacturing and installation of electrical equipment, components, or systems for commercial, industrial,
military, or scientific use.
Bachelor’s degree
$90,100
4. Interior Design: Plan, design, and furnish interiors of residential, commercial, or industrial buildings. Formulate design which is practical, aesthetic, and conducive to intended purposes, such as
raising productivity, selling merchandise, or improving life style. May specialize in a particular field, style, or phase of interior design.
Associate’s Degree
$55,400
Hospitality & Service
WHAT THEY DO
EDUCATION LEVEL
AVG. KC SALARY
1. Chefs & Head Cooks: Direct and may participate in the preparation, seasoning, and cooking of salads, soups, fish, meats, vegetables, desserts, or other foods. May plan and price menu items, order supplies, and keep records and accounts.
Certificate
$51,222
2. Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists: Provide beauty services, such as shampooing, cutting, coloring, and styling hair, and massaging and treating scalp. May apply makeup, dress wigs, perform hair removal, and provide nail and skin care services.
Certificate
$49,920
3. Child Care Workers: Attend to children at schools, businesses, private households, and childcare institutions. Perform a variety of tasks, such as dressing, feeding, bathing, and overseeing play.
High school diploma
$36,109
4. Floral Designers: Design, cut, and arrange live, dried, or artificial flowers and foliage.
High school diploma
$33,905
5. Security Guards: Guard, patrol, or monitor premises to prevent theft, violence, or infractions of rules. May operate x-ray and metal detector equipment.
Less than a high school diploma
$38,600
Health Care & Mental Health
WHAT THEY DO
EDUCATION LEVEL
AVG. KC SALARY
1. Psychiatrists: Physicians who diagnose, treat, and help prevent disorders of the mind.
Doctoral degree
$258,900
2. Surgeons: Physicians who treat diseases, injuries, and deformities by invasive, minimally-invasive, or non-invasive surgical methods, such as using instruments, appliances, or by manual manipulation.
Doctoral degree
$240,300
3. Family and General Practitioners: Physicians who diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases and injuries that commonly occur in the general population. May refer patients to specialists when needed for further diagnosis or treatment.
Doctoral degree
$184,600
4. Physical Therapists: Assess, plan, organize, and participate in rehabilitative programs that improve mobility, relieve pain, increase strength, and improve or correct disabling conditions resulting from disease or injury.
Master’s degree
$96,760
5. Registered Nurses: Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or registration required.
Associate’s degree
$70,040
Legal & Social Sciences
WHAT THEY DO
EDUCATION LEVEL
AVG. KC SALARY
1. Political Scientists: Study the origin, development, and operation of political systems. May study topics, such as public opinion, political decision-making, and ideology. May conduct public opinion surveys, analyze election results, or analyze public documents.
Master’s degree
$103,600
2. Economists: Conduct research, prepare reports, or formulate plans to address economic problems related to the production and distribution of goods and services or monetary and fiscal policy. May collect and process economic and statistical data using sampling techniques and econometric methods.
Master’s degree
$85,22
3. Lawyers: Represent clients in criminal and civil litigation and other legal proceedings, draw up legal documents, or manage or advise clients on legal transactions. May specialize in a single area or may practice broadly in many areas of law.
First professional degree
$112,400
4. Environmental Scientists and Specialists, including Health: Conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or the health of the population.
Bachelor’s degree
$73,100
5. Paralegals and Legal Assistants: Assist lawyers by investigating facts, preparing legal documents, or researching legal precedent. Conduct research to support a legal proceeding, to formulate a defense, or to initiate legal action.
Some college courses
$51,400
Teaching & Social Work
WHAT THEY DO
EDUCATION LEVEL
AVG. KC SALARY
1. Healthcare Social Worker: Provide individuals, families, and groups with the psychosocial support needed to cope with chronic, acute, or terminal illnesses. Services include advising family caregivers. Provide patients with information and counseling, and make referrals for other services. May also provide case and care management or interventions designed to promote health, prevent disease, and address barriers to access to healthcare.
Master’s degree
$56,508
2. Mental Health Counselors: Counsel and advise individuals and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health, with an emphasis on prevention. May help individuals deal with a broad range of mental health issues, such as those associated with addictions and substance abuse; family, parenting, and marital problems; stress management; self-esteem; or aging.
Bachelor’s degree
$52,703
3. Probation Officers & Correctional Treatment Specialists: Provide social services to assist in rehabilitation of law offenders in custody or on probation or parole. Make recommendations for actions involving formulation of rehabilitation plan and treatment of offender, including conditional release and education and employment stipulations.
Bachelor’s degree
$55,302
4. Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors: Counsel and advise individuals with alcohol, tobacco, drug, or other problems, such as gambling and eating disorders. May counsel individuals, families, or groups or engage in prevention programs.
Associate’s degree
$52,656
5. Social and Community Service Managers: Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of a social service program or community outreach organization. Oversee the program or organization’s budget and policies regarding participant involvement, program requirements, and benefits. Work may involve directing social workers, counselors, or probation officers.
Associate’s degree
$54,950
Manufacturing, Skilled Trade & Transportation
WHAT THEY DO
EDUCATION LEVEL
AVG. KC SALARY
1. Electricians: Install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures. Ensure that work is in accordance with relevant codes. May install or service street lights, intercom systems, or electrical control systems.
Bachelor’s Drgree
$64,350
2. Machinist: Set up and operate a variety of machine tools to produce precision parts and instruments. Includes precision instrument makers who fabricate, modify, or repair mechanical instruments. May also fabricate and modify parts to make or repair machine tools or maintain industrial machines, applying knowledge of mechanics, mathematics, metal properties, layout, and machining procedures.
High school diploma
$66,645
3. Inspector: Inspect, test, sort, sample, or weigh non-agricultural raw materials or processed, machined, fabricated, or assembled parts or products for defects, wear, and deviations from specifications. May use precision measuring instruments and complex test equipment.
High school diploma
$66,650
4. Construction Laborers: Perform tasks involving physical labor at construction sites. May operate hand and power tools; clean and prepare sites, dig trenches, set braces to support the sides of excavations, erect scaffolding, and clean up; or assist other craft workers.
Less than a high school diploma
$41,250
5. Truck Driver: Transport finished goods or raw materials to and from manufacturing plants or retail and distribution centers. Perform inspections and maintenance on assigned vehicle. Document and log work/rest periods and miles driven. Plan routes and meet delivery schedules.
Certificate
$88,750
Business Administration & Information Technology
WHAT THEY DO
EDUCATION LEVEL
AVG. KC SALARY
1. Software Developers: Develop, create, and modify general computer applications software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions. Design software or customize software for client use with the aim of optimizing operational efficiency.
Bachelor’s degree
$92,890
2. Database Administrators: Administer, test, and implement computer databases, applying knowledge of database management systems. Coordinate changes to computer databases. May plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard computer databases.
Bachelor’s degree
$89,925
3. Graphic Designers: Design or create graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, or logos. May use a variety of mediums to achieve artistic or decorative effects.
Bachelor’s degree
$51,700
4. Sales Manager: Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.
Associate’s degree
$99,675
5. Customer Service Representatives: Interact with customers to provide information in response to inquiries about products and services and to handle and resolve complaints.
High school diploma
$57,100
SOURCE: To learn more about these and other possible career paths check click here: https://agilities.org/exploration-tools-opportunity-explorer
Visit the DeBruce Foundation’s Work Profiler Test to discover your top skills and interests as the relate to the workforce: https://agilities.org/tools-resources/agile-work-profiler/