Air Traffic Controller
$138KHigh match
Stable demand
Live · Guide v1.07398 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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NAVY · 7398Career Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.7398.R.04
7398 · NAVY · WarrantAir Traffic Control
Air Traffic Control
Technician.
Navy 7398 (Air Traffic Control Technician). 960 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $62K–$138K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours960DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 15 semester hours recommended in aviation management or related fields
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage2/5direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 7398 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 7398 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have06
- 01Airspace Management→ Understanding system dependencies
- 02Radar Systems Operation and Maintenance→ Troubleshooting complex systems
- 03Rapid Prioritization→ Managing competing deadlines
- 04Situational Awareness→ Proactive risk management
- 05Procedural Compliance→ Adherence to standards
- 06Team Synchronization→ Seamless coordination
To learn04
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Cloud computing basics (AWS, Azure, or GCP)+Networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, DNS, routing)+Help desk ticketing systems (e.g., Zendesk, ServiceNow)+SQL and 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.
Avionics Technician
$75KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — FAA certification
- — Specific avionics systems training
Electronics Technician
$68KGood match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Advanced electronics troubleshooting
- — Specific industry certifications
Telecommunications Equipment Installer and Repairer
$62KModerate match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Networking certifications
- — Specific telecom equipment training
Technical Trainer (Aviation/Electronics)
$70KModerate match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Instructional design
- — Curriculum development
- — Public speaking
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 7398 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
Rapid Prioritization
Air Traffic Control Technicians must swiftly assess and prioritize aircraft movements based on proximity, altitude, and flight plans to maintain safe and efficient air traffic flow.
Transfers to
This ability to quickly assess and prioritize under pressure translates to effectively managing competing deadlines and urgent tasks in a fast-paced civilian environment.
Situational Awareness
These technicians maintain a comprehensive understanding of the airspace, weather conditions, aircraft positions, and potential hazards to ensure safety and prevent accidents.
Transfers to
Your heightened awareness of your surroundings and the ability to anticipate potential problems makes you highly valuable in roles requiring proactive risk management and problem-solving.
Procedural Compliance
Adherence to strict regulations and protocols is paramount to ensure the safety and efficiency of air traffic operations. Technicians must flawlessly execute procedures to minimize errors and maintain order.
Transfers to
Your ingrained commitment to following established protocols and regulations makes you an ideal candidate for roles requiring precision, accuracy, and adherence to standards.
Team Synchronization
Air Traffic Control Technicians coordinate seamlessly with air traffic controllers, pilots, and other personnel to maintain a safe and efficient air traffic system. Clear communication and collaboration are essential for success.
Transfers to
Your ability to effectively collaborate and communicate within a team environment makes you well-suited for roles that require seamless coordination and shared responsibility.
/ 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.
Logistics Coordinator
SOC 43-3071.00You've been trained to manage complex systems and prioritize movements under pressure, skills that translate directly into coordinating the flow of goods, resources, or people in logistics.
Adjacent · MatchEmergency Dispatcher
SOC 43-5031.00You're adept at maintaining situational awareness and rapidly prioritizing responses in high-stress environments, crucial skills for dispatching emergency services and coordinating aid.
Adjacent · MatchProject Scheduler
SOC 15-1299.09Your expertise in managing complex sequences and adhering to strict timelines aligns perfectly with the demands of project scheduling. You've already demonstrated the capacity to optimize processes.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Air Traffic Control (ATC) School
Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL960hHours
24wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 15 semester hours recommended in aviation management or related fields
Topics · 8
- Airspace Management
- Radar Systems Operation and Maintenance
- Meteorology
- Navigation Systems
- Communication Procedures
- Emergency Procedures
- Flight Regulations and Procedures
- Air Traffic Control Simulation
Partial coverage · 2
- Certified Professional Controller (CPC)60%
While military air traffic control experience provides a strong foundation, the CPC requires specific knowledge of FAA regulations, procedures, and equipment used in civilian air traffic control facilities. Study FAA Order JO 7110.65, Air Traffic Control.
- Certified Aviation Manager (CAM)40%
The CAM certification focuses on aviation management principles, business operations, and leadership skills. Study the CAM exam guide topics on business management, human resources, and safety management systems.
Recommended next · 03
- Air Traffic Control Specialist (FAA)Adjacent
- Airport Operations Professional (AOP)Adjacent
- Aviation Safety Professional (ASP)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/SPN-43C Air Traffic Control Radar | Airport Surveillance Radar (ASR) | Signals |
| AN/TPX-42A(V)5 Interrogator Set | Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR) / Mode S transponder interrogation systems | Operations |
| ITARS (Integrated Terminal Automated Radar System) | Automated Terminal Information System (ATIS) | Signals |
| NAVSSI (Navigation Sensor System Interface) | Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers and interfaces | Signals |
| CV-TSC Communication System | VHF/UHF radio communication systems for air traffic control | Networking |
| METOC systems | Commercial weather monitoring and forecasting platforms (e.g., AccuWeather, The Weather Company) | Operations |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 7398 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.