Aircraft Mechanic/Technician
$75KHigh match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) license
Live · Guide v1.06091 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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USMC · 6091Career Guide · Maintenance · VWC.CG.6091.R.04
6091 · USMC · EnlistedAircraft Maintenance
Aircraft Maintenance
Technician.
Marine Corps 6091 (Aircraft Maintenance Technician). 1,120 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 hours1,120DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 30 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 6091 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 6091 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have05
- 01Aircraft Hydraulic Systems→ Understanding of fluid dynamics and control systems relevant to various engineering fields.
- 02Airframe Structures and Repair→ Knowledge of structural integrity and material science applicable to infrastructure and hardware development.
- 03Non-Destructive Inspection Techniques→ Proficiency in quality assurance methodologies transferable to software testing and validation.
- 04Naval Aviation Logistics Command Management Information System (NALCOMIS)→ Experience with Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) software.
- 05Automated Maintenance Environment (AME)→ Experience with Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS).
To learn08
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Cloud computing basics (AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud)+Infrastructure-as-Code tools like Terraform or Ansible+Python and Selenium for test automation+CI/CD pipelines using Jenkins or GitLab CI+Basic networking concepts (TCP/IP, DNS, routing)+Operating system fundamentals (Windows, Linux)+SQL for database querying+Data visualization tools like Tableau or 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/CAM software proficiency
- — FEA (Finite Element Analysis)
Avionics Technician
$78KGood match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — FCC license
- — Specific avionics systems training (e.g., Garmin, Honeywell)
Wind Turbine Technician
$60KModerate match
Very high demand
Skills to develop
- — Wind turbine specific safety training
- — Climbing and rescue certification
- — Electrical troubleshooting
Maintenance Manager
$95KModerate match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Project management certification (e.g., PMP)
- — Lean Six Sigma certification
- — Inventory management systems
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 6091 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
System Modeling
As an aircraft maintenance technician, you developed a deep understanding of complex aircraft systems. You were able to visualize how different components interact and how changes in one area could affect the entire system.
Transfers to
This ability to understand and model complex systems is highly valuable in many civilian fields. You can quickly grasp intricate processes, identify potential problems, and develop effective solutions.
Procedural Compliance
Your work demanded strict adherence to detailed procedures and regulations. You understood the importance of following protocols to ensure safety and maintain operational readiness.
Transfers to
This dedication to procedural compliance translates directly to civilian roles requiring meticulous attention to detail and adherence to established guidelines. Your reliability and commitment to quality are highly sought after.
Degraded-Mode Operations
You've troubleshot and repaired aircraft systems under pressure, often with limited resources or in challenging environments. You know how to keep things running even when things aren't perfect.
Transfers to
This ability to adapt and problem-solve in degraded-mode operations is invaluable in civilian roles requiring resilience and resourcefulness. You can think on your feet, find creative solutions, and maintain productivity even when faced with unexpected challenges.
Situational Awareness
Maintaining aircraft requires constant vigilance and an awareness of the surrounding environment. You were trained to anticipate potential problems and take proactive measures to prevent accidents or equipment failures.
Transfers to
This heightened situational awareness is transferable to civilian roles where quick thinking and proactive problem-solving are essential. Your ability to anticipate potential issues and respond effectively makes you a valuable asset.
/ 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 Specialist
SOC 19-4041You've been trained to maintain the highest standards of quality in aircraft maintenance. This experience translates directly to quality assurance roles, where you'll use your attention to detail and procedural compliance to ensure that products and services meet established standards. Your background in troubleshooting and problem-solving will also be invaluable in identifying and resolving quality issues.
Adjacent · MatchCompliance Officer
SOC 13-1041You've been immersed in a world of regulations and procedures. As a compliance officer, you can leverage that experience to ensure that organizations adhere to legal and ethical standards. You're adept at understanding complex rules, implementing compliance programs, and identifying potential risks.
Adjacent · MatchTechnical Trainer
SOC 25-9044You've mastered complex aircraft systems and have likely trained others on maintenance procedures. Your technical expertise and ability to explain intricate concepts make you an ideal candidate for a technical training role. You can develop training programs, deliver instruction, and assess student performance.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Aviation Maintenance Technician School
Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL1,120hHours
28wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 30 semester hours recommended in aviation maintenance technology
Topics · 8
- Basic Electricity and Electronics
- Aircraft Hydraulic Systems
- Airframe Structures and Repair
- Aircraft Powerplant Theory and Maintenance
- Non-Destructive Inspection Techniques
- Corrosion Control and Prevention
- Aviation Safety Procedures
- Technical Documentation and Maintenance Records
Partial coverage · 2
- Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Mechanic70%
FAA regulations, specific aircraft models not covered in military training, practical exam requirements.
- Certified Aviation Manager (CAM)30%
Business management, aviation safety management systems, leadership principles, and regulatory compliance specific to civilian aviation operations. Requires significant study and experience in aviation management roles.
Recommended next · 03
- Inspection Authorization (IA)Adjacent
- Aviation Safety Professional (ASP)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 |
|---|---|---|
| Joint Technical Data Integration (JTDI) | SAE International standards database, Engineering drawing management systems | Operations |
| Naval Aviation Logistics Command Management Information System (NALCOMIS) | Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) software like IBM Maximo or SAP EAM | Networking |
| Automated Maintenance Environment (AME) | Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) such as Fiix or UpKeep | Operations |
| Advanced Metering System (AMS) | SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems used in utilities and process control | Operations |
| Common Aviation Support Equipment (CASE) | Specialized tools and equipment catalogs (e.g., Snap-on, Proto) and vendor management systems | Networking |
| Integrated Family of Test Equipment (IFTE) | Automated Test Equipment (ATE) platforms (e.g., National Instruments LabVIEW-based systems) | Operations |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 6091 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.