Professional Certifications & Licenses in North Carolina
Compare requirements, salaries, and career paths in NC
Healthcare Careers in North Carolina
| Career |
License Required |
Median Salary |
Time to Complete |
Est. Cost |
| Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) |
Yes
|
$37,670 |
Varies (typically 3-8 weeks for training, plus exam and application processing) |
— |
| Dental Assistant |
No
|
$48,710 |
Varies (e.g., 2 years for 3000 hours experience, or completion of an ADA-accredited program) |
— |
| EMT |
Yes
|
$40,530 |
Varies (EMT programs can be completed in a semester or as quickly as a few weeks for intensive courses; state exam must be taken within one year of course completion, NREMT within two years). |
— |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) |
Yes
|
$61,380 |
12-24 months |
— |
| Medical Assistant |
No
|
$42,600 |
4-24 months (depending on program type and pace) |
— |
| Medical Coder |
No
|
$47,840 |
4-12 months for certification programs; 2 years for an Associate's Degree. |
— |
| Paramedic |
Yes
|
$40,530 |
1-2 years |
— |
| Pharmacy Technician |
Yes
|
$39,870 |
Training program must be completed within 180 days of employment for non-certified technicians. |
— |
| Phlebotomist |
No
|
$39,410 |
3-14 weeks for training programs |
— |
| Radiology Technologist |
Yes
|
$67,150 |
2 years |
— |
| Respiratory Therapist |
Yes
|
$77,050 |
2 years (Associate degree) |
— |
| Surgical Technologist |
No
|
$58,710 |
9-24 months |
— |
| Dental Hygienist |
Yes
|
$89,720 |
2-4 years |
— |
Trades Careers in North Carolina
| Career |
License Required |
Median Salary |
Time to Complete |
Est. Cost |
| CDL Truck Driver |
Yes
|
$49,580 |
4-8 weeks |
— |
| Electrician |
Yes
|
$54,070 |
Varies by license type and individual experience |
— |
| HVAC Technician |
Yes
|
$51,940 |
18 months (minimum) |
— |
| Plumber |
Yes
|
$50,990 |
2 years experience + application and exam process |
$300 |
| Welder |
No
|
$49,860 |
Varies depending on training program and certification type |
$25 |
| Barber |
Yes
|
$64,290 |
Approximately 23-27 months (11-15 months education + 12 months apprenticeship) |
— |
| Cosmetologist |
Yes
|
$36,140 |
Varies depending on program length and individual progress; typically 9-12 months for 1500 hours. |
— |
| Massage Therapist |
Yes
|
$61,670 |
6-12 months |
— |
Professional Careers in North Carolina
North Carolina Certifications Ranked by Salary
| # |
Career |
Category |
Median Salary |
| 1 |
Dental Hygienist |
Healthcare |
$89,720 |
| 2 |
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) |
Professional |
$80,490 |
| 3 |
Respiratory Therapist |
Healthcare |
$77,050 |
| 4 |
Radiology Technologist |
Healthcare |
$67,150 |
| 5 |
Barber |
Trades |
$64,290 |
| 6 |
Massage Therapist |
Trades |
$61,670 |
| 7 |
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) |
Healthcare |
$61,380 |
| 8 |
Surgical Technologist |
Healthcare |
$58,710 |
| 9 |
Insurance Agent |
Professional |
$57,110 |
| 10 |
Electrician |
Trades |
$54,070 |
| 11 |
HVAC Technician |
Trades |
$51,940 |
| 12 |
Plumber |
Trades |
$50,990 |
| 13 |
Welder |
Trades |
$49,860 |
| 14 |
CDL Truck Driver |
Trades |
$49,580 |
| 15 |
Paralegal |
Professional |
$49,390 |
| 16 |
Dental Assistant |
Healthcare |
$48,710 |
| 17 |
Medical Coder |
Healthcare |
$47,840 |
| 18 |
Real Estate Agent |
Professional |
$47,840 |
| 19 |
Personal Trainer |
Professional |
$45,080 |
| 20 |
Medical Assistant |
Healthcare |
$42,600 |
| 21 |
EMT |
Healthcare |
$40,530 |
| 22 |
Paramedic |
Healthcare |
$40,530 |
| 23 |
Pharmacy Technician |
Healthcare |
$39,870 |
| 24 |
Phlebotomist |
Healthcare |
$39,410 |
| 25 |
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) |
Healthcare |
$37,670 |
| 26 |
Cosmetologist |
Trades |
$36,140 |