Aircraft Mechanic/Technician
$75KHigh match
High demand
Live · Guide v1.06030 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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USMC · 6030Career Guide · Maintenance · VWC.CG.6030.R.04
6030 · USMC · EnlistedAircraft Maintenance
Aircraft Maintenance
Technician.
Marine Corps 6030 (Aircraft Maintenance Technician). 1,440 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $60K–$125K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours1,440DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 15 semester hours in aviation maintenance technology
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage2/5direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 6030 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 6030 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have09
- 01Aircraft hydraulic systems→ Understanding of fluid dynamics and control systems, applicable to various engineering domains
- 02Aircraft engine theory and maintenance→ Knowledge of thermodynamics, combustion processes, and mechanical systems
- 03Avionics systems fundamentals→ Understanding of electronic circuits, signal processing, and communication systems
- 04Maintenance documentation and procedures→ Ability to follow strict protocols, document work accurately, and maintain detailed records
- 05Situational Awareness→ Anticipate problems, assess risks, and make informed decisions in complex situations
- 06Procedural Compliance→ Accuracy and consistency are critical
- 07Degraded-Mode Operations→ Problem-solving and maintaining functionality in challenging circumstances
- 08System Modeling→ Understanding and optimizing business processes or technical infrastructure
- 09Naval Aviation Logistics Command Management Information System (NALCOMIS)→ Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems
To learn12
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Cloud computing basics (AWS, Azure, or GCP)+Infrastructure as Code (Terraform or Ansible)+Containerization (Docker) and orchestration (Kubernetes)+Monitoring and logging tools (Prometheus, Grafana, ELK stack)+Incident response and management+Scripting and automation (Python, Bash)+Test automation frameworks (Selenium, Cypress)+Continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines+Software testing methodologies+Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)+Database management systems (e.g., MySQL, PostgreSQL)+Operating systems (Linux, Windows)
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 Engineer
$125KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Bachelor's Degree in Aerospace Engineering
- — CAD Software Proficiency
- — FEA (Finite Element Analysis)
Avionics Technician
$78KGood match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — FCC License
- — Specific avionics systems certifications (e.g., Garmin, Collins)
Wind Turbine Technician
$60KModerate match
Very high demand
Skills to develop
- — OSHA Safety Certifications
- — Climbing and rescue training
- — Electrical troubleshooting
Maintenance Supervisor
$85KGood match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Project Management Certification (e.g., PMP)
- — Lean Manufacturing Principles
- — Advanced knowledge of maintenance management systems
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 6030 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
System Modeling
As an aircraft maintenance technician, you develop a deep understanding of how aircraft systems interact. You learn to visualize these complex systems and predict how changes in one area will impact others.
Transfers to
This ability to model complex systems translates directly into understanding and optimizing business processes or technical infrastructure in civilian settings.
Procedural Compliance
Aircraft maintenance is governed by strict procedures and regulations to ensure safety and reliability. You are trained to follow these procedures meticulously and understand the importance of adherence to standards.
Transfers to
Your commitment to procedural compliance is valuable in regulated industries where accuracy and consistency are critical.
Degraded-Mode Operations
You're skilled at troubleshooting and repairing aircraft systems under pressure, often with limited resources or incomplete information. You're used to finding creative solutions to keep aircraft operational even when things aren't perfect.
Transfers to
Your experience adapting to degraded-mode operations means you excel at problem-solving and maintaining functionality in challenging circumstances – a valuable asset in any dynamic environment.
Situational Awareness
Maintaining aircraft requires vigilance and an understanding of the aircraft's current state, its environment, and potential risks. You develop a heightened sense of situational awareness to prevent accidents and ensure safe operations.
Transfers to
Your strong situational awareness translates into an ability to anticipate problems, assess risks, and make informed decisions in complex situations.
/ 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 Assurance Manager
SOC 11-3051.00You've been trained to meticulously follow procedures and maintain high standards in aircraft maintenance. This experience is directly applicable to ensuring quality control in manufacturing, software development, or other industries where precision and reliability are paramount. Your ability to identify and correct deviations from established standards will be highly valued.
Adjacent · MatchCompliance Officer
SOC 13-1041.00You're adept at navigating complex regulations and ensuring adherence to established protocols. As a Compliance Officer, you'll use these skills to help organizations maintain ethical and legal standards, mitigating risks and safeguarding their reputation.
Adjacent · MatchTechnical Trainer
SOC 25-9044.00Your deep understanding of aircraft systems and maintenance procedures makes you an ideal candidate for technical training roles. You can leverage your expertise to educate and mentor others, ensuring they have the knowledge and skills to perform their jobs effectively. Your hands-on experience will add credibility and value to your instruction.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Aviation Maintenance Technician School
MCAS New River, NC1,440hHours
36wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 15 semester hours in aviation maintenance technology
Topics · 8
- Basic electricity and electronics
- Aircraft hydraulic systems
- Aircraft engine theory and maintenance (specific to assigned airframe)
- Airframe structures and repair
- Aircraft corrosion control
- Non-destructive inspection techniques
- Avionics systems fundamentals
- Maintenance documentation and procedures
Partial coverage · 2
- Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Mechanic70%
While military training provides a strong foundation in aircraft maintenance, the A&P certification requires specific knowledge of FAA regulations (Part 147), civil aviation maintenance practices, and possibly hands-on experience with a broader range of aircraft types and systems used in civilian aviation.
- Certified Aviation Manager (CAM)40%
The CAM certification focuses on the management aspects of aviation operations. Military aviation maintenance officers would need to supplement their experience with knowledge of business management, financial management, risk management, and human resources as they apply to civilian aviation organizations.
Recommended next · 03
- Inspection Authorization (IA)Adjacent
- Project Management Professional (PMP)Adjacent
- Lean Six Sigma Green BeltAdjacent
/ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Naval Aviation Logistics Command Management Information System (NALCOMIS) | Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems for aviation maintenance, such as SAP S/4HANA or Oracle Aviation Maintenance Management | Networking |
| Joint Oil Analysis Program (JOAP) | Predictive maintenance software and oil analysis services offered by companies like POLARIS Laboratories or Bureau Veritas | Operations |
| Automated Maintenance Environment (AME) | Digital work order management platforms like IBM Maximo or IFS Applications | Operations |
| Consolidated Automated Support System (CASS) | Automated test equipment (ATE) and diagnostic systems used in avionics repair, such as those from Keysight Technologies or National Instruments | Operations |
| Advanced Turbine Engine Management System (ATEMS) | Engine health monitoring systems from companies like GE Aviation or Pratt & Whitney | Platform |
| Aircraft Component Repair and Overhaul (ACRO) programs | FAA-certified aircraft repair stations and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services | Aviation |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 6030 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.