What Is a Career Cluster? 14 Types To Know

Career clusters are collections of jobs with shared characteristics, such as industry and objective. Job seekers use career clusters to help them find professions that match their particular interests and skills. 

Learn about 14 career clusters and their common professions. To help you get started, suggested online courses accompany each cluster, offering an opportunity for you to start your career path today. 

The 14 career clusters 

The National Career Clusters Framework, a common organizing tool used by many universities and state agencies, includes 14 clusters covering a wide range of industries and fields [1]. Those 14 career clusters are as follows:

• Advanced manufacturing

• Construction

• Supply chain and transportation

• Arts, entertainment, and design

• Hospitality, events, and tourism

• Financial services

• Education

• Health care and human services

• Public service and safety

• Agriculture

• Energy and natural resources

• Digital technology

• Marketing and sales

• Management and entrepreneurship

Learn more about what the 14 career pathways are, the types of personalities they suit, and the skills they require. 

Note: Unless otherwise stated, all of the information below is taken from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) [2]. 

1. Advanced manufacturing 

The advanced manufacturing career cluster involves jobs focused on producing physical goods, such as cars, food, and other products. Typically, the work in this cluster takes place inside factories that create both mechanically and manually.

According to the BLS, most of the jobs in the manufacturing career cluster require a high school diploma or less, along with short-term on-the-job training. A few jobs, such as camera equipment repairer, may require an associate degree along with long-term on-the-job training. 

The nature of this cluster means that it suits individuals who enjoy working with their hands in industrial environments that require teamwork and coordination. Some jobs commonly found in this cluster include:

• Mechanic

• Assembler

• Safety coordinator

• First-line supervisor

• Welder

2. Construction

The construction career cluster involves jobs focused on designing and building physical structures and infrastructure, such as homes, office buildings, and roads. As a result, the jobs in this cluster involve everything from working on construction sites to designing skyscrapers in architectural offices. 

According to the BLS, more than half of the jobs in this cluster require a high school diploma or equivalent, some of which might require short on-the-job training. Additionally, some jobs, such as an architect, might require a bachelor’s degree or higher. 

This cluster suits individuals who enjoy building with their hands or the design process. Some jobs commonly found in this cluster include:

• Construction laborers 

• Electricians 

• Roofers

• Civil engineers

• Architects

How do I choose a career cluster?

To choose a career cluster, consider your favorite subjects, your academic strengths, and your long-term career goals. You can read about the different clusters and the job paths within each cluster to see if any pique your interest. Working with a career counselor can also help you get more information about specific career paths.

3. Supply chain and transportation

The supply chain and transportation career cluster includes jobs focused on moving both people and products between different locations, such as by truck, train, or airplane. The work environment for this cluster varies by position, requiring some to be constantly on the move in vehicles and others to coordinate deliveries from an office. 

According to the BLS, most of the jobs in the supply chain and transportation cluster require a high school diploma or equivalent and some short-term on-the-job training. Some positions, though, may require job seekers to have a bachelor’s degree, licensure, and several years of experience, such as is the case for airplane pilots. 

This career cluster suits individuals who enjoy traveling, operating vehicles, and dealing with logistics. Some jobs commonly found in this cluster include:

• Truck driver

• Dispatcher

• Train conductor

• Delivery driver

• Pilot

4. Arts, entertainment, and design

The arts, entertainment, and design career cluster involves jobs focused on such creative tasks as acting, writing, graphic design, and working on film productions. The diverse nature of these occupations means that those employed in them work in a variety of environments, from outdoor film shoots where collaboration is key to solitary rooms where writers can gain the peace and quiet required to compose their next draft. 

According to the BLS, many of the jobs in this cluster require at least a bachelor’s degree, but you can obtain some jobs with a high school degree or equivalent and short on-the-job training. 

The nature of this cluster means that it suits individuals who enjoy creative undertakings and turning abstract ideas into reality through concrete problem-solving. Some jobs commonly found in this cluster include:

• Graphic designer

• Interior designer

• Sound engineer

• Photographer

• Art director

5. Hospitality, events, and tourism

The hospitality and tourism career cluster includes jobs focused on providing lodgings, food, and travel services to customers, such as through restaurants and hotels. There is a range of work environments in this career cluster—from friendly reception desks that require face-to-face interaction with customers to hectic kitchens where cooks work diligently to get food out on time.

According to the BLS, most of the careers in this cluster require a high school diploma or less. However, some jobs may benefit from additional training or professional training, such as culinary school or a hospitality management program.

The nature of this career cluster suits individuals who enjoy working in a team environment and occupying customer-facing positions. Some jobs commonly found in this cluster include:

• Waiter 

• Maid

• Janitor

• Chef

• Hotel manager

6. Financial services

The financial services career cluster focuses on jobs that work with money, including lending, collecting, and financial planning. The jobs in the finance cluster require a willingness to work in an indoor office environment and a capacity for dealing with facts and figures. 

According to the BLS, most of the jobs in this career cluster require a bachelor’s degree. A few, such as financial clerks, may only require a high school diploma or equivalent with short-term on-the-job training. 

The nature of this cluster means that it suits those who enjoy working with numbers and spreadsheets in an office environment. Some jobs commonly found in this cluster include:

• Bill collector

• Teller

• Loan officer

• Accountant

• Financial advisor

7. Education

The education career cluster involves jobs focused on teaching, such as at schools, museums, and libraries. The jobs in this cluster usually involve working collaboratively indoors, often in roles that require a sensitive understanding of others to help them best understand concepts. 

According to the BLS, almost every job in this cluster requires a bachelor’s degree or higher. In some cases, you may need to have an advanced professional or terminal degree. 

The nature of this cluster means that it is likely best suited to those who enjoy learning and have the patience and empathy to teach others. Some jobs commonly found in this cluster include:

• Librarian

• K–12 schoolteacher

• Archivist

• Counselor

• College professor

8. Health care and human services

The health care and human services career cluster includes jobs focused on health care for both people and animals, including nurses, physicians, and veterinarians. The careers in the cluster are in numerous medical environments, ranging from relatively quiet home care environments to fast-paced emergency rooms. This cluster also includes jobs in personal care, community and social services, and biotechnology research and development.

According to the BLS, the education level for jobs in the health science cluster varies considerably depending on the role. While in some cases job seekers only need a high school diploma or equivalent, in others, they will need to have an advanced degree and many years of medical training. 

The nature of this cluster means that it suits those who enjoy helping others, studying health, and problem-solving. Some jobs commonly found in this cluster include:

• Home health aide

• Registered nurse

• Physical therapist

• Surgeon

• Social worker

• Cosmetologist

• Biomedical scientist

9. Public service and safety

The public service and safety career cluster focuses on jobs that have to do with the running and implementation of services within governmental structures, such as within the military, courts, and political bodies. Although this cluster includes jobs that vary considerably among workplaces and tasks, each of them connect to larger organizational structures focused on the public.

According to the BLS, most jobs in the cluster require a bachelor’s degree. While some might allow for a high school diploma or equivalent accompanied by short-term on-the-job training, others may require a master’s degree or higher. 

The nature of this cluster means that it suits those who enjoy working in highly structured environments that focus on public services and projects. Some jobs commonly found in this cluster include:

• Court clerk

• Soldier

• Tax examiner

• Urban planner

• Legislator

10. Agriculture

The agriculture career cluster involves jobs working with animals, plants, and land. Often, this work takes place outside, as is the case with horticulturists who cultivate and manage gardens. However, some of this work does involve research conducted in laboratory settings, such as natural science managers who oversee the work of chemists, physicists, and biologists.

The BLS notes that many jobs in this cluster require a high school diploma or equivalent, while some require further training or advanced degrees. 

Jobs in this cluster suit individuals who enjoy working outside in natural environments. Some common jobs in this cluster include:

• Agriculture worker 

• Horticulturists 

• Conservationists

• Natural science managers 

11. Energy and natural resources

The energy and natural resources career cluster involves jobs focused on the responsible use of resources to positively impact the environment. These jobs strive to promote sustainability, renewable resources, and clean energy for a better future. 

According to the BLS, jobs in this cluster require various degrees, with some jobs in the cluster accessible for those with a high school diploma. Other positions, however, require associate or bachelor’s degrees. 

The nature of this cluster suits those who want to protect the environment through green initiatives through alternative energy sources, natural resource conservation, and mining technology. Some jobs commonly found in this cluster include:

• Environmental science and protection technician

• Wind turbine technician

• Conservation scientist

• Environmental engineer

Read more: 5 Jobs That Help Fight Climate Change

12. Digital technology

The digital technology career cluster involves the use of artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, data analytics, and other emerging technologies. This cluster is a cross-cutting one, meaning the skills individuals develop in digital technology are useful in all clusters.

According to the BLS, many of the roles in this cluster require bachelor’s degrees, with some requiring advanced degrees as well. However, some individuals may be able to secure positions in cybersecurity with a high school diploma. 

The digital technology cluster suits individuals who enjoy working on the cutting edge of new technological developments. Some jobs in this cluster include:

• Network administrator

• Data scientist

• Cybersecurity consultant

• Software developer

13. Marketing and sales

The marketing career cluster includes jobs focused on promoting products and services to help businesses reach their marketing goals. Typically, jobs in this cluster take place in either office environments or stores, where marketers can meet customers directly.

According to the BLS, many of the jobs in the marketing career cluster require a high school diploma or equivalent. Some jobs, though, may require a bachelor’s degree and significant work experience, such as is the case with marketing managers. 

The nature of this cluster means that it suits individuals who enjoy the art of persuasion and helping businesses get the word out about their products. Some jobs commonly found in this cluster include:

• Sales representative

• Public relations liaison

• Copywriter

• Digital marketer

• Marketing manager

14. Management and entrepreneurship

The management and entrepreneurship career cluster involves jobs focused on planning, organizing, and running a business. Typically, this job requires individuals to collaborate with others in an office setting. 

According to the BLS, a bit more than half of the jobs in the cluster require a high school degree or equivalent, often with short-term on-the-job training. Some jobs may require a bachelor’s degree and many years of experience, such as chief executive officers (CEOs). 

The nature of this cluster means that it suits those who enjoy working with others to solve analytical and logistical problems. Some jobs commonly found in this cluster include:

• Receptionist

• Clerk

• Entrepreneur

• Operations manager

• CEO

Choose your career path on Coursera 

The first step to a new career is finding out what interests you and learning all you can to succeed. Whether you are just exploring fields or looking to get started in one, you might consider taking an online, flexible course. Offering over 7,000 courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready Professional Certificates, Coursera likely has something for you. 

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