Aircraft Painter
$55KHigh match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Commercial aircraft paint certifications
- — Familiarity with FAA regulations
Live · Guide v1.02A775 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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USAF · 2A775Career Guide · Maintenance · VWC.CG.2A775.R.04
2A775 · USAF · EnlistedLow Observable Aircraft Structural Maintenance
Low Observable Aircraft Structural Maintenance
Technician.
Air Force 2A775 (Low Observable Aircraft Structural Maintenance Technician). 1,200 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $48K–$68K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours1,200DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 15 semester hours recommended in Aviation Maintenance Technology or related fields
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage2/6direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 2A775 background maps to — picked from BLS-anchored occupations using your training, cognitive skills, and systems experience.
Sort · Match descending
/ 02 · Skill Bridge
The gap, named.
What 2A775 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have07
- 01Radar Absorbent Material (RAM) application tools→ Industrial coating application equipment and techniques
- 02Planform Alignment Procedures→ 3D Laser Scanning and Alignment Software
- 03NDT (Non-Destructive Testing) equipment for LO coatings→ NDT equipment (e.g., ultrasonic testers, eddy current testers) for material inspection
- 04Automated Maintenance Systems (e.g., Integrated Maintenance Data System (IMDS))→ Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) or Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS)
- 05TO (Technical Order) Data→ Technical Data Packages (TDP)
- 06Corrosion Detection and Treatment Systems→ Industrial corrosion control and prevention systems
- 07Specialized structural repair tools for aircraft→ Aerospace-grade structural repair tools and equipment
To learn12
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Linux command line+Cloud computing basics (AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud)+Configuration management tools (e.g., Ansible, Chef, or Puppet)+Cloud computing certifications (e.g., AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner)+Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools like Terraform or CloudFormation+Scripting languages (e.g., Python or Bash)+Software testing principles+Test automation frameworks (e.g., Selenium, JUnit)+Programming fundamentals (e.g., Python or JavaScript)+Network fundamentals+Systems analysis and design+Database design and management
How VWC fits
Vets Who Code is a free, full-time software engineering accelerator for veterans, active duty, and military spouses. We close the fundamentals — terminal, web platform, AI tooling, portfolio projects — so the rest of this list becomes specialization, not square one.
See VWC Programs →/ 03 · Civilian Pathways
Where your code lands.
Aerospace Composites Technician
$68KHigh match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — Specific composite repair certifications (e.g., Boeing, Airbus)
- — Advanced composite materials knowledge
Industrial Painter
$48KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — OSHA safety certifications
- — Experience with large-scale industrial coating applications
Auto Body Repair Technician
$52KModerate match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — ASE certification in collision repair
- — Experience with automotive painting and refinishing techniques
- — Knowledge of vehicle structures and repair methods
Wind Turbine Technician
$65KModerate match
Very high demand
Skills to develop
- — Wind turbine safety training
- — Climbing certification
- — Electrical and mechanical troubleshooting skills
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 2A775 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
Procedural Compliance
Following detailed technical orders and specifications when applying coatings and repairing aircraft structures is crucial for safety and maintaining aircraft performance. One deviation can compromise the integrity of the aircraft.
Transfers to
Meticulously adhering to established protocols and regulations to ensure consistent and reliable outcomes.
Pattern Recognition
Identifying subtle variations in damage patterns, corrosion, or coating defects to determine the appropriate repair strategy. Recognizing these patterns early can prevent bigger, costlier repairs.
Transfers to
Detecting anomalies and trends in complex systems to diagnose problems and implement effective solutions.
Resource Optimization
Efficiently managing materials, tools, and time when performing repairs, especially when dealing with limited resources or tight deadlines. Getting the most from limited supplies is critical in operational environments.
Transfers to
Strategically allocating resources to maximize productivity and minimize waste.
Situational Awareness
Maintaining awareness of the aircraft's overall condition, the surrounding environment, and the potential impact of repairs on its performance and stealth capabilities.
Transfers to
Understanding the broader context of a situation to make informed decisions and anticipate potential consequences.
/ 05 · Non-Obvious Matches
Roles the recruiter won't suggest.
Adjacent civilian roles your training maps to that conventional military-to-civilian advice tends to miss.
Quality Control Inspector
SOC 51-9061.00You've been trained to meticulously inspect aircraft coatings and structures, ensuring they meet stringent specifications. This expertise translates directly to quality control roles in manufacturing and construction, where attention to detail is paramount. Your experience with technical documentation and problem-solving makes you an ideal candidate to maintain high standards of product quality.
Adjacent · MatchIndustrial Safety Specialist
SOC 27-9112.00Your experience handling hazardous materials, implementing safety protocols, and ensuring compliance with regulations while working on aircraft equips you well for a career as an industrial safety specialist. You're adept at identifying potential hazards, developing safety procedures, and enforcing safety standards to protect workers and the environment.
Adjacent · MatchForensic Materials Scientist
SOC 19-4099.01Your experience with analyzing material degradation, corrosion, and structural failures on aircraft gives you a solid foundation for forensic materials science. You've developed skills in nondestructive testing, materials characterization, and failure analysis, which are crucial for determining the root cause of material failures in various contexts, such as accidents or product defects.
Adjacent · MatchRestoration Technician (Fine Art/Antiques)
SOC 47-4091.00You've been trained in the delicate art of surface preparation, coating application, and material repair. This experience translates surprisingly well to restoring valuable objects. Your background in materials science, bonding techniques, and meticulous craftsmanship makes you an ideal candidate.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Low Observable Aircraft Structural Maintenance Course
Sheppard AFB, TX1,200hHours
30wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 15 semester hours recommended in Aviation Maintenance Technology or related fields
Topics · 8
- Low Observable (LO) Coatings Application and Repair
- Aircraft Structural Component Fabrication and Repair (Metal, Composite, Advanced Composite)
- Corrosion Identification, Treatment, and Prevention
- Radar Absorbent Material (RAM) Application, Repair, and Removal
- Aircraft Painting and Marking Application
- Use of Technical Orders and Maintenance Documentation
- Hazardous Materials Handling and Disposal
- Structural Inspection and Damage Assessment
Partial coverage · 2
- Certified Composites Technician (CCT)60%
Requires additional study of advanced composite materials, manufacturing processes specific to the certification, and hands-on practice with composite repair techniques.
- Society for Protective Coatings (SSPC) Protective Coating Specialist (PCS)50%
Requires focused study on advanced coating technologies, surface preparation standards beyond military specifications, and quality control/assurance procedures common in civilian industrial settings.
Recommended next · 04
- FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificationAdjacent
- NDT Level II certification (specific method like Ultrasonic Testing or Radiographic Testing)Adjacent
- Certified Welding Inspector (CWI)Adjacent
- Project Management Professional (PMP)Adjacent
/ 07 · Systems Translation
What you ran, in their words.
Military systems you operated and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent | Domain |
|---|---|---|
| Radar Absorbent Material (RAM) application tools (e.g., sprayers, vacuum bags) | Industrial coating application equipment and techniques | Signals |
| Planform Alignment Procedures | 3D Laser Scanning and Alignment Software | Operations |
| NDT (Non-Destructive Testing) equipment for LO coatings | NDT equipment (e.g., ultrasonic testers, eddy current testers) for material inspection | Operations |
| Automated Maintenance Systems (e.g., Integrated Maintenance Data System (IMDS)) | Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) or Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) | Operations |
| TO (Technical Order) Data | Technical Data Packages (TDP) | Operations |
| Corrosion Detection and Treatment Systems (e.g., specialized chemical baths, alodine applicators) | Industrial corrosion control and prevention systems | Medical |
| Specialized structural repair tools for aircraft (e.g., fastener installation tools, composite repair kits) | Aerospace-grade structural repair tools and equipment | Aviation |
/ Translator · Live
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