Avionics Technician
$75KHigh match
High demand
Live · Guide v1.05937 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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USMC · 5937Career Guide · Aviation · VWC.CG.5937.R.04
5937 · USMC · EnlistedAviation Radio
Aviation Radio
Repairer.
Marine Corps 5937 (Aviation Radio Repairer). 600 hours of formal training translate to 4 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $58K–$75K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours600DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 9 semester hours recommended in electronics technology
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways4validated
Cert coverage3/6direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 5937 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 5937 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have09
- 01Basic Electronics Theory→ Understanding of electronic components and circuits
- 02Radio Frequency (RF) Principles→ Knowledge of wireless communication technologies
- 03Troubleshooting Aviation Communication Systems→ Problem-solving and diagnostic skills in complex systems
- 04Use of Test Equipment (Spectrum Analyzers, Signal Generators)→ Proficiency in using specialized tools for testing and analysis
- 05Technical Documentation and Schematics→ Ability to interpret and utilize technical information
- 06System Modeling→ Ability to understand and predict system behavior
- 07Procedural Compliance→ Adherence to industry standards
- 08Degraded-Mode Operations→ Adaptability and quick problem-solving skills
- 09Resource Optimization→ Maximizing efficiency and minimizing waste
To learn05
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+CCNA or CompTIA Network+ certification+Linux command line basics+Cybersecurity fundamentals (CompTIA Security+)+Data analysis and visualization techniques+Cloud computing concepts (AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud)
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.
Electronics Technician
$65KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Specific certifications (e.g., CompTIA)
- — Broader electronics troubleshooting
Telecommunications Equipment Installer and Repairer
$60KGood match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Experience with fiber optic cables
- — Knowledge of networking protocols
Wind Turbine Technician
$58KModerate match
Very high demand
Skills to develop
- — Safety training
- — Mechanical repair skills
- — Climbing certification
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 5937 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
System Modeling
Aviation radio repairers develop a mental model of complex radio systems to diagnose malfunctions and predict the impact of repairs on overall system performance.
Transfers to
This ability to understand and predict system behavior translates directly to roles requiring you to analyze and optimize complex processes.
Procedural Compliance
Strict adherence to maintenance manuals, safety protocols, and regulatory guidelines is critical when repairing aviation radio equipment to prevent accidents.
Transfers to
Your experience in following precise procedures makes you exceptionally well-suited for roles demanding high levels of accuracy and adherence to industry standards.
Degraded-Mode Operations
Aviation radio repairers are frequently required to troubleshoot and repair equipment under pressure and in less-than-ideal conditions, such as with limited tools or in austere environments.
Transfers to
You're adept at maintaining operational effectiveness, a crucial skill for any role where adaptability and quick problem-solving are valued.
Resource Optimization
Repairing aviation radio equipment often involves making the most of limited resources, such as spare parts, tools, and time, to ensure operational readiness.
Transfers to
You are skilled at maximizing efficiency and minimizing waste, a valuable asset in any organization striving for improved performance and profitability.
/ 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.
Industrial Machinery Mechanic
SOC 49-9041You've been maintaining and repairing sophisticated electronic systems. Your expertise in troubleshooting, diagnostics, and hands-on repair translates seamlessly to industrial machinery.
Adjacent · MatchWind Turbine Technician
SOC 49-9099You've been working with complex electronic systems and have experience with maintenance and repair in challenging environments. Wind turbines require similar skills, and your background makes you an ideal candidate.
Adjacent · MatchQuality Control Inspector
SOC 51-9061You've been rigorously inspecting and testing aviation radio equipment to ensure proper functionality. This attention to detail and knowledge of testing procedures makes you well-prepared to assess the quality of products in a manufacturing setting.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Aviation Electronics Technician School
Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, NC600hHours
15wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 9 semester hours recommended in electronics technology
Topics · 8
- Basic Electronics Theory
- Radio Frequency (RF) Principles
- Troubleshooting Aviation Communication Systems
- Repair of Ground Radio Equipment
- Antenna Theory and Maintenance
- Use of Test Equipment (Spectrum Analyzers, Signal Generators)
- Preventative Maintenance Procedures
- Technical Documentation and Schematics
Partial coverage · 3
- Certified Electronics Technician (CET)70%
Study advanced troubleshooting techniques, digital circuits, and specific industry regulations not covered in military training.
- FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL)80%
Review FCC rules and regulations, maritime radio, and radar endorsements if needed.
- CompTIA Network+40%
Focus on network infrastructure, network security, and network troubleshooting, as military training may emphasize radio equipment over broader networking concepts.
Recommended next · 03
- Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA)Adjacent
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)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 |
|---|---|---|
| AN/GRC-211 Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS) | Land Mobile Radio (LMR) systems, Motorola APX series | Operations |
| AN/PRC-117F Multiband Manpack Radio | Harris Corporation Falcon series radios | Operations |
| AN/TRC-170 Tropospheric Scatter Microwave Radio Terminal | Microwave backhaul systems, Aviat Networks radios | Operations |
| TS-4520/TS-4529 Digital Communication Test Set | Aeroflex IFR4000 Navigation Communication Analyzer | Networking |
| DRTS (Digital Radio Test Set) | Rohde & Schwarz Communication Tester | Operations |
| Harris RF-7800I Intercom System | RTS Intercom Systems | Operations |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 5937 into a resume that ships.
Pair this guide with the VWC AI-powered translator: drop in your service record, get back ATS-optimized civilian resume language tuned to the tech roles above.