Career Path Explorer

Plan your professional licensing journey. Each career ladder shows the progression from entry-level to advanced roles with real salary data, what it takes to advance, and links to state-by-state requirements.

Show salaries for:

Sort by

Entry Education

Industry

Healthcare & Nursing

Nursing Career Ladder

4 steps|$39,530 → $129,210

+227%

5.5 yr–10.9 yr·~$2k licensing·+$90k salary

Step 1CNA

State-approved training program (4-12 weeks)

$39,530

median

+$23k1.1 yr–1.7 yr·Practical nursing program (12-18 months) + NCLEX-PN

Step 2LPN/LVN

Practical nursing program (12-18 months) + NCLEX-PN

$62,340

median

+$31k2.1 yr–4.3 yr·ADN or BSN degree + NCLEX-RN

Step 3Registered Nurse

ADN or BSN degree + NCLEX-RN

$93,600

median

+$36k2.2 yr–4.5 yr·MSN or DNP + national certification

Step 4Nurse Practitioner

MSN or DNP + national certification

$129,210

median

View full career path details

Nurse-Midwifery Career Path

2 steps|$93,600 → $128,790

+38%

9.5 yr–13.0 yr·~$512 licensing·+$35k salary

Step 1Registered Nurse

ADN or BSN degree + NCLEX-RN

$93,600

median

+$35k7.3 yr–8.7 yr·MSN/DNP in midwifery + AMCB certification

Step 2Certified Nurse-Midwife

MSN/DNP in midwifery + AMCB certification

$128,790

median

View full career path details

Nurse Anesthesia Career Path

2 steps|$93,600 → $223,210

+138%

8.8 yr–11.4 yr·~$649 licensing·+$130k salary

Step 1Registered Nurse

BSN + 1-2 years ICU experience

$93,600

median

+$130k6.7 yr–7.1 yr·DNP/DNAP in nurse anesthesia (3-4 years) + NBCRNA certification

Step 2CRNA (Nurse Anesthetist)

DNP/DNAP in nurse anesthesia (3-4 years) + NBCRNA certification

$223,210

median

View full career path details

Emergency Medicine Career Ladder

3 steps|$41,340 → $133,260

+222%

3.9 yr–5.5 yr·~$2k licensing·+$92k salary

Step 1EMT

EMT-Basic course (120-150 hours) + NREMT

$41,340

median

+$17k1.1 yr–1.9 yr·Paramedic program (1-2 years) + NREMT-P

Step 2Paramedic

Paramedic program (1-2 years) + NREMT-P

$58,410

median

+$75k2.6 yr–3.1 yr·Master's in PA Studies + PANCE

Step 3Physician Assistant

Master's in PA Studies + PANCE

$133,260

median

View full career path details

Physician Career Path

2 steps|$133,260 → $239,200

+79%

9.7 yr–14.6 yr·~$2k licensing·+$106k salary

Step 1Physician Assistant

Master's in PA Studies + PANCE

$133,260

median

+$106k7.1 yr–11.5 yr·Medical degree (4 years) + residency (3-7 years) + USMLE/COMLEX

Step 2Physician (MD/DO)

Medical degree (4 years) + residency (3-7 years) + USMLE/COMLEX

$239,200

median

View full career path details

Trades & Construction

Electrical Career Ladder

3 steps|$38,500 → $78,690

AI-Proof Career

+104%

10.2 yr–10.9 yr·~$483 licensing·+$40k salary

Step 1Apprentice Electrician

Earn while you learn — paid from day one, no license required

$38,500

median

+$24k4.1 yr–4.3 yr·Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam

Step 2Electrician (Journeyman)

Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam

$62,350

median

+$16k1.9 yr–2.2 yr·Master electrician license + contractor license

Step 3Electrical Contractor

Master electrician license + contractor license

$78,690

median

View full career path details See what you'll need at each step →

Plumbing Career Ladder

3 steps|$38,000 → $78,690

AI-Proof Career

+107%

10.3 yr–11.0 yr·~$553 licensing·+$41k salary

Step 1Apprentice Plumber

Earn while you learn — paid from day one, no license required

$38,000

median

+$25k4.2 yr–4.4 yr·Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam

Step 2Plumber (Journeyman)

Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam

$62,970

median

+$16k1.9 yr–2.2 yr·Master plumber license + contractor license

Step 3Plumbing Contractor

Master plumber license + contractor license

$78,690

median

View full career path details See what you'll need at each step →

HVAC Career Ladder

3 steps|$36,000 → $78,690

AI-Proof Career

+119%

7.5 yr–8.2 yr·~$817 licensing·+$43k salary

Step 1HVAC Helper / Apprentice

Entry-level position — learn on the job, earn while training

$36,000

median

+$24k2.8 yr–3 yr·Technical training + EPA 608 certification

Step 2HVAC Technician

Technical training + EPA 608 certification

$59,810

median

+$19k1.9 yr–2.2 yr·Master HVAC license + contractor license

Step 3HVAC Contractor

Master HVAC license + contractor license

$78,690

median

View full career path details See what you'll need at each step →

Therapy & Rehabilitation

Physical Therapy Career Ladder

2 steps|$65,510 → $101,020

+54%

5.3 yr–5.9 yr·~$1k licensing·+$36k salary

Step 1Physical Therapist Assistant

Associate degree in PTA + NPTE-PTA

$65,510

median

+$36k3.1 yr–3.5 yr·Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) + NPTE

Step 2Physical Therapist

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) + NPTE

$101,020

median

View full career path details

Occupational Therapy Career Ladder

2 steps|$68,340 → $98,340

+44%

4.8 yr–5.7 yr·~$2k licensing·+$30k salary

Step 1Occupational Therapy Assistant

Associate degree in OTA + NBCOT-COTA

$68,340

median

+$30k2.7 yr–3.3 yr·Master's/Doctorate in OT + NBCOT-OTR

Step 2Occupational Therapist

Master's/Doctorate in OT + NBCOT-OTR

$98,340

median

View full career path details

Vision Care Career Ladder

2 steps|$46,560 → $134,830

+190%

4.2 yr–5.8 yr·~$5k licensing·+$88k salary

Step 1Optician

Opticianry program + ABO/NCLE certification

$46,560

median

+$88k4.2 yr–4.5 yr·OD degree (4 years) + NBEO exams

Step 2Optometrist

OD degree (4 years) + NBEO exams

$134,830

median

View full career path details

Respiratory Care Career Path

2 steps|$80,450 → $155,000

+93%

8.3 yr–10.9 yr·~$907 licensing·+$75k salary

Step 1Respiratory Therapist

Associate/bachelor's in respiratory care + NBRC TMC + CSE

$80,450

median

+$75k6.2 yr–6.7 yr·Bachelor's + perfusion program (2 years) + ABCP certification

Step 2Perfusionist

Bachelor's + perfusion program (2 years) + ABCP certification

$155,000

median

View full career path details

Dental & Pharmacy

Dental Career Ladder

3 steps|$47,300 → $172,790

+265%

6.5 yr–9.4 yr·~$3k licensing·+$125k salary

Step 1Dental Assistant

Dental assisting program (9-12 months)

$47,300

median

+$47k2.2 yr–4.3 yr·Associate/bachelor's in dental hygiene + NBDHE

Step 2Dental Hygienist

Associate/bachelor's in dental hygiene + NBDHE

$94,260

median

+$79k4.2 yr–4.6 yr·DDS/DMD degree (4 years) + INBDE

Step 3Dentist

DDS/DMD degree (4 years) + INBDE

$172,790

median

View full career path details

Pharmacy Career Ladder

2 steps|$43,460 → $137,480

+216%

4.7 yr–5.6 yr·~$1k licensing·+$94k salary

Step 1Pharmacy Technician

Training program + PTCB/ExCPT certification

$43,460

median

+$94k4.1 yr–4.4 yr·PharmD degree (4 years) + NAPLEX + MPJE

Step 2Pharmacist

PharmD degree (4 years) + NAPLEX + MPJE

$137,480

median

View full career path details

Veterinary

Veterinary Career Ladder

2 steps|$45,980 → $125,510

+173%

6.3 yr–8.8 yr·~$2k licensing·+$80k salary

Step 1Veterinary Technician

Associate degree in vet tech + VTNE

$45,980

median

+$80k4.1 yr–4.5 yr·DVM degree (4 years) + NAVLE

Step 2Veterinarian

DVM degree (4 years) + NAVLE

$125,510

median

View full career path details

Real Estate & Insurance

Real Estate Career Ladder

3 steps|$56,320 → $65,420

+16%

3.9 yr–6.5 yr·~$662 licensing·+$9k salary

Step 1Real Estate Agent

Pre-licensing education (40-180 hours) + state exam

$56,320

median

+$16k2.6 yr–2.9 yr·2-3 years experience + additional education + broker exam

Step 2Real Estate Broker

2-3 years experience + additional education + broker exam

$72,280

median

1.2 yr–3.2 yr·AQB courses + supervised experience (varies by tier)

Step 3Real Estate Appraiser

AQB courses + supervised experience (varies by tier)

$65,420

median

View full career path details

Insurance Career Ladder

2 steps|$60,370 → $76,790

+27%

3 mo–8 mo·~$261 licensing·+$16k salary

Step 1Insurance Agent

Pre-licensing education + state exam

$60,370

median

+$16k6 wks–5 mo·Adjuster licensing + claims experience

Step 2Insurance Adjuster

Adjuster licensing + claims experience

$76,790

median

View full career path details

Mental Health & Counseling

Social Work Career Ladder

2 steps|$69,480 → $60,060

12.2 yr–13.1 yr·~$858 licensing

Step 1Social Worker (BSW/MSW)

BSW or MSW degree + ASWB exam

$69,480

median

4.2 yr–4.5 yr·MSW + 2-3 years supervised clinical experience + ASWB Clinical exam

Step 2Licensed Clinical Social Worker

MSW + 2-3 years supervised clinical experience + ASWB Clinical exam

$60,060

median

View full career path details

Counseling Career Ladder

2 steps|$59,190 → $63,780

+8%

9.2 yr–10 yr·~$1k licensing·+$5k salary

Step 1Licensed Professional Counselor

Master's in counseling (60 credits) + NCE/NCMHCE

$59,190

median

+$5k4.6 yr–5 yr·Master's in MFT + 2-3 years supervised experience

Step 2Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist

Master's in MFT + 2-3 years supervised experience

$63,780

median

View full career path details

Lab Sciences & Radiology

Radiology Career Ladder

3 steps|$77,660 → $97,020

+25%

6.3 yr–12.7 yr·~$761 licensing·+$19k salary

Step 1Radiologic Technologist

Associate/bachelor's in radiography + ARRT

$77,660

median

+$24k2.1 yr–4.2 yr·Bachelor's in radiation therapy + ARRT(T)

Step 2Radiation Therapist

Bachelor's in radiation therapy + ARRT(T)

$101,990

median

2.1 yr–4.2 yr·Associate/bachelor's + ARRT(N) or NMTCB

Step 3Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Associate/bachelor's + ARRT(N) or NMTCB

$97,020

median

View full career path details

Clinical Lab Career Ladder

2 steps|$43,660 → $61,890

+42%

4.3 yr–5.1 yr·~$258 licensing·+$18k salary

Step 1Phlebotomist

Phlebotomy training (40-80 hours) + CPT certification

$43,660

median

+$18k4.2 yr–4.5 yr·Bachelor's in clinical lab science + ASCP certification

Step 2Clinical Lab Scientist

Bachelor's in clinical lab science + ASCP certification

$61,890

median

View full career path details

Beauty & Cosmetology

Cosmetology Career Ladder

3 steps|$34,660 → $35,250

+2%

2.0 yr–3.4 yr·~$466 licensing·+$590 salary

Step 1Nail Technician

Nail tech program (300-600 hours)

$34,660

median

+$7k7 mo–12 mo·Esthetics program (600-750 hours)

Step 2Esthetician

Esthetics program (600-750 hours)

$41,560

median

1.1 yr–1.8 yr·Cosmetology program (1,000-1,500 hours)

Step 3Cosmetologist

Cosmetology program (1,000-1,500 hours)

$35,250

median

View full career path details

Not sure which career is right for you?

Take our free quiz to discover which professional license matches your goals, budget, and timeline.

Take the License Quiz →

Researching market conditions? See how crowded each profession is in your target state before you commit to getting licensed.

View Market Saturation Index →