Where does a career actually lead?
Pick a real entry-level job below. Every step on every path is real US Bureau of Labor Statistics wage and job-growth data — not a guess, and not hidden just because we don’t sell a practice exam for it yet.
Every path also carries a real AI exposure score, built from two independent sources shown side by side rather than blended into one invented number: a real academic exposure index (Felten, Raj & Seamans) and real observed usage data from the Anthropic Economic Index, refreshed monthly. It’s the same discipline behind every other real dataset on this site — enforcement records, wage data, and now AI impact, all dated and sourced.
9 real career paths, tracked step by step
CNA / Nursing Assistant
The real, common entry point into nursing — shortest path to a paycheck, no degree required.
A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) earns a median annual wage of $42,260 in the United States, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statis…
Real Estate Salesperson
The real entry-level real estate license — works under a supervising broker, cannot operate independently.
A real estate salesperson (agent) earns a median annual wage of $52,830 in the United States, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statisti…
Food Handler
The real, most common entry point into food service — required in most states to legally handle food for the public.
A food preparation worker earns a median annual wage of $35,320 in the United States, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occu…
EMT
The real entry-level EMS certification — basic life support, patient assessment, and emergency transport.
An Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) earns a median annual wage of $44,470 in the United States, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Stat…
SIE (Securities Industry Essentials)
The real FINRA entry-level exam — no sponsoring firm required, the common real starting point for a securities career.
A securities, commodities, and financial services sales agent earns a median annual wage of $78,660 in the United States, according to the U…
Pharmacy Technician
The real, common entry point into pharmacy work — no degree required, typically a short certificate program plus the real PTCB exam.
A pharmacy technician earns a median annual wage of $45,750 in the United States, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupati…
Elementary School Teacher
The real, common entry point into K-12 teaching — a bachelor's degree plus a real state licensure exam.
An elementary school teacher earns a median annual wage of $63,970 in the United States, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' O…
CDL Driver
The real entry point into commercial driving — one real occupation, with real endorsements that open different real freight work rather than a separate pay grade.
A heavy and tractor-trailer truck driver earns a median annual wage of $58,640 in the United States, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor S…
Insurance Producer
The real entry point into insurance sales — one real occupation, with license types that open different real product lines rather than a separate pay grade.
An insurance sales agent earns a median annual wage of $62,280 in the United States, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occup…
These 7 have a genuine real multi-step ladder — distinct real BLS data at every stage. We’re also scoping single-step path pages for our biggest exam verticals (CDL, professional licensing) where a real ladder isn’t available but real pay, growth, requirements, and AI exposure data still are.