Aircraft Mechanic / Technician
$75KHigh match
High demand
Live · Guide v1.06087 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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USMC · 6087Career Guide · Maintenance · VWC.CG.6087.R.04
6087 · USMC · EnlistedAircraft Maintenance
Aircraft Maintenance
Technician.
Marine Corps 6087 (Aircraft Maintenance Technician). 960 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $65K–$125K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours960DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 15 semester hours recommended 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 6087 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 6087 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have06
- 01Aircraft Electrical Systems Troubleshooting→ Debugging
- 02Hydraulic Systems Maintenance and Repair→ Systems Engineering
- 03Use of Technical Manuals and Documentation→ Documentation and Knowledge Management
- 04System Modeling→ Systems Thinking
- 05Procedural Compliance→ Adherence to Standards and Regulations
- 06Situational Awareness→ Risk Management
To learn08
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Python fundamentals+Selenium or Cypress for automated testing+Cloud computing basics (AWS, Azure, or GCP)+Linux system administration+Help desk ticketing systems (e.g., Jira Service Management)+Basic networking concepts+SQL for data querying+Data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
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/CFD analysis skills
Avionics Technician
$78KGood match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — FCC license
- — Specific avionics system certifications
Wind Turbine Technician
$65KModerate match
Very high demand
Skills to develop
- — Renewable energy safety training
- — Climbing and rescue certification
- — Electrical troubleshooting skills
Maintenance Supervisor
$85KGood match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Project management certification
- — Leadership training
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 6087 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
System Modeling
As an aircraft maintenance technician, you develop a deep understanding of how complex aircraft systems interact, including hydraulics, engines, and avionics. You learn to anticipate how changes in one component will affect others.
Transfers to
This ability to understand complex systems translates to any role where you need to analyze how different parts of a process or organization connect and influence each other. You can quickly grasp the big picture and identify potential problems or areas for improvement.
Procedural Compliance
Aircraft maintenance demands strict adherence to detailed procedures to ensure safety and operational readiness. You are trained to follow checklists, technical manuals, and regulatory guidelines precisely.
Transfers to
Your commitment to following established procedures makes you valuable in roles requiring precision, accuracy, and compliance with industry standards. This is especially useful in regulated environments where errors can have serious consequences.
Degraded-Mode Operations
You are skilled at troubleshooting and repairing aircraft systems under pressure, often with limited resources or time. You know how to keep things running even when equipment malfunctions or unexpected problems arise.
Transfers to
This experience is invaluable in civilian roles where you'll face unexpected challenges and need to find creative solutions to keep operations on track. You are adaptable and resourceful in high-pressure situations.
Situational Awareness
Maintaining aircraft requires constant awareness of the surrounding environment, including weather conditions, flight schedules, and potential hazards. You learn to anticipate potential problems and take proactive steps to mitigate risks.
Transfers to
Your heightened awareness of your surroundings and ability to anticipate problems makes you an excellent candidate for roles where safety and risk management are critical. You are adept at identifying potential hazards and taking preventive measures.
/ 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 components and systems, ensuring they meet stringent quality standards. This attention to detail and commitment to accuracy is highly valuable in quality control, where you'll be responsible for identifying defects and ensuring products meet specifications.
Adjacent · MatchWind Turbine Technician
SOC 49-9081.00You've got experience maintaining complex mechanical and electrical systems, just like wind turbines! Your skills in troubleshooting, repair, and preventative maintenance translate perfectly to this growing field. Plus, you're already comfortable working at heights and in challenging conditions.
Adjacent · MatchAmusement and Recreation Mechanics
SOC 49-9091.00You've worked on complex machines and hydraulic systems. Amusement park rides need regular maintenance and inspection. Your experience in mechanics and working in a fast-paced environment make you an ideal candidate.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Aviation Maintenance Technician School
MCAS New River, NC960hHours
24wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 15 semester hours recommended in aviation maintenance technology
Topics · 8
- Basic Aerodynamics and Aircraft Systems
- Aircraft Electrical Systems Troubleshooting
- Hydraulic Systems Maintenance and Repair
- Engine Theory and Operation (Turbine and Reciprocating)
- Airframe Structures and Repair Techniques
- Nondestructive Inspection (NDI) methods
- Corrosion Control and Prevention
- Use of Technical Manuals and Documentation
Partial coverage · 2
- Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Mechanic70%
FAA regulations, specific engine types not covered in military training, and practical experience on civilian aircraft.
- Certified Aviation Manager (CAM)30%
Focus on business management, leadership, and aviation safety management systems (SMS). Requires further study in these areas to meet CAM requirements.
Recommended next · 03
- Inspection Authorization (IA)Adjacent
- Avionics TechnicianAdjacent
- 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Joint Technical Data Integration (JTDI) | SAE International J1000, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems | Operations |
| Naval Aviation Logistics Command Management Information System (NALCOMIS) | Maintenance management software (e.g., IBM Maximo, SAP Plant Maintenance) | Networking |
| Automated Test Equipment (ATE) for avionics | Automated test platforms (e.g., National Instruments LabVIEW, Teradyne) | Operations |
| Support Equipment Calibration Laboratories (SECLabs) | Calibration management software (e.g., IndySoft, Fluke MET/CAL) | Operations |
| Advanced Composite Repair (ACR) systems | Composite repair equipment and training (e.g., Heatcon, Delta Kits) | Operations |
| Aircraft Engine Diagnostic Systems (e.g., borescope inspection tools) | Non-destructive testing (NDT) equipment (e.g., Olympus, GE Inspection Technologies) | Aviation |
| Technical Manuals and Drawings (e.g., IETMs) | Digital twins, Interactive 3D Work Instructions (e.g., PTC Arbortext, Dassault Systèmes 3DVia) | Operations |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 6087 into a resume that ships.
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