1. Career Clusters – The Story

2. Career OptionsWhat do you do? Agronomist $52K-$88K+ Study plants and soil to improve crop quality and efficiency Biotechnologist $31K-$49K+ Turn living organisms into commercial products in food, medicine, and environmental industries Environmental Engineer $62K-$98K+ Solve problems related to clean drinking water, air pollution, waste disposal, and toxic substances. Farmer $20K-$100K+ Growing anything from artichokes to wheat, or raising livestock such as emu and cattle Petroleum Engineer $29K-$100K+ Extract oil and natural gas from the ground Survey Technician $32K-$56K+ Create maps Earning Potential

3. Career OptionsWhat do you do? Architect $55K-$92K+ Using artistic and math skills to design office towers, houses, and other buildings. Civil Engineer $60K-$92K+ Ever wonder why tall office buildings dont fall down and bridges can support millions of pounds of weight? Crane Operator $39K-$73K+ Control the machines that lift extremely heavy or awkward objects Electrician $53K-$81K+ Brings safe and efficient electrical power to our homes and workplaces. Land Surveyor $42K-$75K+ Use high-tech equipment, mathematical calculation, and historical research to create accurate maps. Pipefitter $28K-$79K+ Measure, cut, weld, and install the pipe systems that carry water, gas, air, and other materials.

4. Earning Potential Career OptionsWhat do you do? Animator $34K-$66K+ From SpongeBob to The Simpsonsanimators have brought them all to life. Art/Music Therapist $28K-$51K+ Using the creative power of art or music to help people deal with physical, emotional, and psychological problems. Broadcast Technician $23K-$52K+ Work behind the scenes at television or radio stations. Communication Specialist $55K-$100K+ Help organizations explain their actions and policies effectively to customers, clients, the public, and their own employees. Director of Photography $37K-$92K+ Think of a television or movie screen as your canvas, and light and images as your paint. Recording Engineer $30K-$57K+ Using studio recording equipment to capture music and other sounds.

5. Earning Potential Career OptionsWhat do you do? Advertising Copywriter $38K-$77K+ Write advertisements, or "copy," for television, radio, billboards, newspapers, and magazines. Certified Public Accountant $49K-$81K+ Helping people and businesses figure out how much they owe in taxes and preparing their financial records. Entrepreneur $30K-$100K+ Tired of working for someone else? Why not start up and run your own business! Forensic Accountant $49K-$100K+ Follow the money and find out who cooked the books. Health Care Administrator $63K-$109K+ Work behind the scenes to ensure that hospitals, community care agencies, and other health-related organizations are well run. Retail Buyer $37K-$69K+ Are you a smart shopper with a good eye for what sells?

6. Earning Potential Career OptionsWhat do you do? Audiologist $52K-$74K+ Combine science, communication, and special electronic equipment to help people with hearing impairments. Career Counselor $38K-$81K+ Helping people make one of the most important choices of their lives. Corporate Trainer $37K-$68K+ The workplace is changing rapidly and good trainers can do a lot to help people adapt and excel. Early Childhood Educator $21K-$33K+ A lot more than babysitting. High School Teacher $47K-$85K+ Helping young people learn and develop. Principal $75K-$125K+ Managing a school to help students get a good education.

7. Earning Potential Career OptionsWhat do you do? Actuary $67K-$113K+ The mathematical experts who estimate risks and costs for insurance companies. Auditor $49K-$81K+ Use your financial investigative powers to keep an eye on the books. Bank Manager $76K-$136K+ A lot of things go on at your local bank branch, and it's the manager's job to oversee all of them. Insurance Claims Adjuster $42K-$73K+ An investigator who makes sure that insurance claims are valid and then determines the right amount to be paid out. Money Manager $44K-$112K+ Climb to the top of the competitive world of high finance, directing the investment of massive sums of money as a money manager. Trader $44K-$112K+ High stakes gambling in the competitive world of high finance.

8. Earning Potential Career OptionsWhat do you do? Building Inspector $43K-$73K+ Most of us take the safety and stability of our houses, apartments, and other buildings for grantedthats because building inspectors are on the job. Economist $67K-$121K+ Study the economy and advise governments and businesses. Federal Agent $35K-$95K+ Investigating crimes and helping to preserve national security. Infantry (Military) $16K-$95K+ The front line of national defense. Military salaries vary according to rank. Politician $10K-$400K+ Make a difference in your community, city, region, or country. Statistician $66K-$97K+ Ever wonder what statistics can tell us about the world and how it works?

9. Earning Potential Career OptionsWhat do you do? Allergist $60K-$166K+ Allergists treat people who suffer from allergic reactions like nut allergies or hay fever. Athletic Trainer $38K-$55K+ Helping injured athletes return to the game and designing training programs to keep them there. Biological Tech $31K-$49K+ If you like collecting samples and doing experiments in science class, you should check this career out. Medical Examiner/Coroner $100K-$250K+ Uncover the truth about untimely deaths as a coroner. Dental Hygienist $46K-$74K+ Cleaning teeth and teaching patients dental health. Occupational Therapist $59K-$90K+ Helping people with mental or physical limitations lead independent and productive lives.

10. Earning Potential Career OptionsWhat do you do? Chef $21K-$100K+ It takes more than just creativity and good taste to run a kitchen. Curator $39K-$90K+ It takes more than just creativity and good taste to run a kitchen. Brewmaster $25K-$70K+ Making good beer is both an art and a science. Exhibit Designer $33K-$60K+ Do you enjoy creative challenges? Event Planner $36K-$65K+ A lot of hard work and organization goes into well-run events. Hotel Manager $27K-$83K+ Overseeing reservations, housekeeping, restaurants, events, and all the other things that go into running a hotel.

11. Earning Potential Career OptionsWhat do you do? Abuse/Crisis Counselor $20K-$50K+ Help people in traumatic relationships to find solutions. Adoption Counselor $36K-$67K+ Help children find a loving home. Career Coach $38K-$81K+ Help people onto the path that leads to their dream job. Credit Counselor $20K-$50K+ Help clients with money problems get back on their feet. Dietitian $32K-$71K+ It's about health and nutrition, not the latest dieting fads. Industrial-Organizational Psychologist $52K-$81K+ Using psychology to increase employee satisfaction and productivity in the workplace.

12. Earning Potential Career OptionsWhat do you do? Bioinformatics Specialist $35K-$100K+ Use an expert knowledge of computer science, statistics, and biology to help other scientists analyze the vast amounts of information their research creates. Computer Animator $30K-$150K+ Harnessing the power of computers to make artistic designs, special effects, and 3D models. Database Developer $54K-$94K+ Making it easier for people to find and organize information. Desktop Publisher $22K-$59K+ Using computer technology to design, write, edit, and lay out everything from business cards to posters and booklets. Multimedia Developer $30K-$120K+ Help make programs like the one you are using now. Video Game Developer $45K-$90K+ Programmers, animators, graphic artists, writers, and testers all work together to create the video games you play.

13. Earning Potential Career OptionsWhat do you do? Bailiff $18K-$66K+ Keeping courtrooms safe and secure. Coast Guard $32K-$100K+ Does the adventure and challenge of working at sea appeal to you? Correctional Officer $25K-$65K+ Maintaining order and security at prisons and helping inmates choose a better life. Crime Scene Investigator $60K-$93K+ Help solve crimes by documenting and collecting evidence at crime scenes. Fire Fighter $27K-$73K+ You spend a lot of time training and practicing, and when the bell rings you have to be ready for anything. Police Officer $52K-$81K+ Discouraging crime and upholding the law.

14. Earning Potential Career OptionsWhat do you do? Clothing Manufacturer $35K-$80K+ The business of making dresses, pants, shirts, and other garments. Environmental Engineer $62K-$98K+ Use your math and science skills to help solve problems related to clean drinking water, air pollution, waste disposal, and toxic substances. Industrial Designer $31K-$63K+ Designing products that work well and look good. Logistics Specialist $49K-$86K+ Help businesses figure out the most efficient ways to do things. Quality Controller $40K-$100K+ The buck stops here! Making sure products are made properly and safely. Stationary Engineer $56K-$77K+ Run and monitor the machines that provide power, heat, and refrigeration for buildings and manufacturing facilities.

15. Earning Potential Career OptionsWhat do you do? Advertising Copywriter $35K-$77K+ Write advertisements, or "copy," for television, radio, billboards, newspapers, and magazines. Fashion Retailer $15K-$60K+ You get to buy and sell thousands of dollars of clothes and accessories! Fundraiser $30K-$120K+ Raising money for charities, hospitals, and other worthy causes is an important business. Market Research Analyst $30K-$77K+ Study (and try to predict) social, political, and economic trendslike divorce rates, voting patterns, and automobile sales. Media Buyer $43K-$74K+ Buying print and online advertising space, and spots on radio and television, so that ads reach the right audience. Sales Representative $25K-$200K+ Its one of the most people-oriented careers in the business world.

16. Earning Potential Career OptionsWhat do you do? Biomedical Engineer $60K-$100K+ Use high tech engineering to develop medical equipment like CAT scanners, pacemakers, and artificial joints and organs. Food Scientist $41K-$67K+ Take one part chemistry, one part biology, then mix with a passion for food. GIS Specialist $33K-$68K+ A combination of geography and computers. Meteorologist $59K-$101K+ Use satellites, radar, and sophisticated computers to study and predict the weather. Solar Energy Tech $36K-$66K+ Help people reduce their energy bills and protect the environment by using sunshine to power their homes and businesses. Toxicologist $25K-$100K+ Help protect people, animals, and the environment from the harmful effects of toxic substances.

17. Earning Potential Career OptionsWhat do you do? Air Traffic Controller $47K-$145K+ Tens of thousands of flights are made every day, and air traffic controllers help make sure they arrive safely. Automotive Service Technician $26K-$50K+ Do you love cars and enjoy figuring out how they work? Avionics Tech $34K-$65K+ Testing, maintaining, and repairing the electronic equipment that modern aircraft rely upon. Diesel Technician $25K-$57K+ Maintain and repair trucks, buses, bulldozers, generators, and many other kinds of diesel-powered equipment. Operations Research Analyst $55K-$91K+ Using math and computers to help businesses and other organizations work more efficiently. Transportation Inspector $33K-$85K+ Help keep our transportation systems safe by inspecting trucks, trains, planes, and boats.