I love this Jobs Charted by State and Salary interactive for a quick classroom hook. It’s simple and intuitive for students to use and is an illustrative first look at employment data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Students can see how career sectors vary from state to state and how salaries vary from one career to the next. 

Here are some discussion starters and activities you can use to follow up using the interactive: 

• Which careers do you think are growing the fastest? [Data Crunch]
• Which careers are the biggest gambles? [Data Crunch]
• How can you get your dream job? [Project]
• Which jobs align with my interests? [Interactive]

You can also use our MOVE: Career Comparison whole-class activity to get kids out of their seats to compare career salaries and pathways. Each student receives a card with different career information. Then, in various rounds, students compare their job title, annual income, skills, education, and industry. Afterward, students will learn about other jobs in the same field and how their job skills can lead to other career opportunities.

About the Author

Brian Page

Making a difference in the lives of students through financial capability is Brian’s greatest passion. He comes to NGPF after fifteen years of public school teaching where he was the ‘11 Ohio Department of Education recipient of a Milken National Educator Award, the CEE Forbes Award winner, and a Money Magazine/CNN "Money Hero". He served on the working group for President Obama's Advisory Council on Financial Capability. He has private school experience as a Trustee for the Cincinnati Country Day School and was a past Ohio Jump$tart President. Brian holds a BBA and M.Ed. When Brian isn’t working alongside his NGPF teammates he is likely spending time with his wife, three children, and dog; hiking, or watching Ohio State football.