Pipefitter
$62KHigh match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — Commercial pipefitting certifications
Live · Guide v1.0HT · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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NAVY · HTCareer Guide · Maintenance · VWC.CG.HT.R.04
HT · NAVY · EnlistedHull Maintenance
Hull Maintenance
Technician.
Navy HT (Hull Maintenance Technician). 640 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $52K–$75K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours640DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 9 semester hours recommended in basic welding, pipefitting, and blueprint reading
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage3/6direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your HT 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 HT training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have06
- 01Shipboard Piping Systems (Various)→ Industrial Piping and Plumbing Systems (e.g., Victaulic, Viega)
- 02Naval Shipboard Welding Equipment (SMAW, GTAW, GMAW)→ Commercial Welding Equipment (SMAW, GTAW, GMAW) - Miller, Lincoln Electric
- 03Shipboard Damage Control Equipment (e.g., shoring equipment, pipe patching kits)→ Construction shoring and repair equipment
- 04Shipboard Ventilation Systems→ Industrial HVAC systems
- 05Team Synchronization→ Collaboration
- 06Situational Awareness→ Proactive Problem Solving
To learn08
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Linux command line basics+Cloud computing fundamentals (AWS, Azure, or GCP)+Scripting with Python or Bash+Networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, DNS)+Help desk ticketing systems (e.g., Zendesk, Jira Service Management)+Remote desktop support tools+Data visualization with Tableau or PowerBI+SQL for data analysis
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.
Sheet Metal Worker
$55KHigh match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — OSHA safety certifications
- — Blueprint reading
Welder
$52KHigh match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — Specific welding certifications (e.g., AWS)
- — Experience with diverse materials (aluminum, stainless steel)
Maintenance Supervisor
$75KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Project management certification (e.g., PMP)
- — Leadership training
- — Budgeting and cost control
HVAC Technician
$58KModerate match
Very high demand
Skills to develop
- — EPA Section 608 certification
- — Formal HVAC training
- — Experience with residential or commercial HVAC systems
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your HT training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
System Modeling
HTs must understand the complex interrelation of shipboard systems (plumbing, piping, ventilation) to effectively troubleshoot and repair them. They mentally model how changes in one area impact others.
Transfers to
This ability to visualize and understand interconnected systems translates to the civilian world as the capacity to grasp complex processes and predict the consequences of actions within those systems.
Resource Optimization
HTs are responsible for managing resources (materials, tools, personnel) to complete maintenance and repair tasks efficiently, often under tight deadlines and with limited availability.
Transfers to
Optimizing resources on the ship translates directly into the ability to streamline processes, reduce waste, and improve efficiency in any civilian setting. You understand how to maximize output with limited input.
Procedural Compliance
Adherence to strict safety protocols and technical manuals is paramount in hull maintenance. HTs must consistently follow established procedures to prevent accidents and ensure quality workmanship.
Transfers to
Your unwavering adherence to procedure makes you uniquely qualified to take on projects or roles that require a deep understanding of regulation and protocol and a dedication to safety.
Team Synchronization
Hull Maintenance Technicians work in coordinated teams to accomplish repairs and maintenance, requiring clear communication, shared understanding of goals, and mutual support.
Transfers to
Working in the tight quarters of a ship requires excellent team synchronization. You're well-versed in team dynamics, communication, and shared goals.
Situational Awareness
Maintaining awareness of the surrounding environment, including potential hazards and the status of ongoing operations, is crucial for HTs to ensure safety and prevent disruptions.
Transfers to
Your ingrained sense of situational awareness means you're always several steps ahead. You are alert, proactive, and able to anticipate issues before they arise.
/ 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.
Facilities Manager
SOC 11-3012.00You've been responsible for the upkeep and repair of shipboard systems. Now, channel that experience into overseeing the maintenance and operation of buildings or campuses. Your troubleshooting, resource management, and team leadership skills are directly transferable.
Adjacent · MatchConstruction Project Manager
SOC 11-9021.00You've been managing hull repair projects. Your experience coordinating teams, managing resources, and adhering to strict deadlines makes you an excellent candidate to oversee construction projects from start to finish.
Adjacent · MatchHVAC Technician/Installer
SOC 49-9021.00You've been working with ventilation and piping systems aboard ships. Your mechanical aptitude and knowledge of these systems make you ideally suited to install, maintain, and repair HVAC systems in commercial or residential buildings.
Adjacent · MatchQuality Control Inspector
SOC 51-9061.00You've been adhering to strict quality standards for hull repairs. Now, apply that meticulous attention to detail to inspecting manufactured products, ensuring they meet specifications and regulations.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
A School
Naval Station Great Lakes640hHours
16wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 9 semester hours recommended in basic welding, pipefitting, and blueprint reading
Topics · 7
- Basic Damage Control
- Welding Techniques (SMAW, GTAW)
- Pipefitting and Plumbing Systems
- Sheet Metal Fabrication
- Blueprint Reading and Interpretation
- Shipboard Safety Procedures
- Corrosion Control and Prevention
Partial coverage · 3
- AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI)70%
Requires studying AWS codes, standards, and specific inspection techniques not explicitly covered in military training. Requires hands on experience with AWS D1.1, D1.2, D1.3 etc.
- ASME Certified Plumbing Designer (CPD)60%
Requires studying local and national plumbing codes, advanced design principles, and specific software used in plumbing design. Requires knowledge of water supply and drainage system design.
- OSHA 30-Hour Construction40%
While military training covers safety, OSHA 30 focuses specifically on civilian construction site safety regulations and hazard recognition, requiring additional study of OSHA guidelines.
Recommended next · 03
- Project Management Professional (PMP)Adjacent
- Certified Professional in Engineering Management (CPEM)Adjacent
- Certified Facility Manager (CFM)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 |
|---|---|---|
| Shipboard Piping Systems (Various) | Industrial Piping and Plumbing Systems (e.g., Victaulic, Viega) | Operations |
| Naval Shipboard Welding Equipment (SMAW, GTAW, GMAW) | Commercial Welding Equipment (SMAW, GTAW, GMAW) - Miller, Lincoln Electric | Operations |
| Shipboard Damage Control Equipment (e.g., shoring equipment, pipe patching kits) | Construction shoring and repair equipment | Operations |
| Portable Hydraulic Power Units (PHPU) | Portable Hydraulic Power Units - Enerpac, Simplex | Operations |
| Shipboard Ventilation Systems | Industrial HVAC systems | Operations |
| Multi-gas detectors | Multi-gas detectors - MSA, Dräger | Operations |
| Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) equipment (e.g., Ultrasonic Thickness Gauges) | NDT Equipment - Olympus, GE Inspection Technologies | Operations |
/ Translator · Live
Translate HT 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.