Ironworker
$65KHigh match
High demand
Live · Guide v1.0SW · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
Home/Career Guides/SW
NAVY · SWCareer Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.SW.R.04
SW · NAVY · Enlisted
Steelworker.
Navy SW (Steelworker). 720 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $50K–$98K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours720DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 9 semester hours in Construction Technology
Tech roles3mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage3/6direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your SW 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 SW training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have04
- 01Blueprint Reading→ Understanding technical documentation
- 02System Modeling→ Understanding complex systems and their interactions
- 03Procedural Compliance→ Adhering to coding standards and best practices
- 04Resource Optimization→ Efficiently managing computing resources in the cloud
To learn09
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 (Terraform, Ansible)+CI/CD pipelines (Jenkins, GitLab CI)+SQL and NoSQL databases+Data warehousing concepts+ETL tools (e.g., Apache NiFi, Talend)+Requirements gathering and documentation+UML diagramming+Data modeling
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.
Construction Manager
$98KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
- — Bachelor's degree in Construction Management or related field
Welder
$50KGood match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — American Welding Society (AWS) certifications
Civil Engineering Technician
$55KModerate match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Associate's degree in Civil Engineering Technology
- — AutoCAD certification
Structural Steel Detailer
$60KModerate match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Proficiency in CAD software
- — Knowledge of structural steel design principles
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your SW training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
System Modeling
As a Steelworker, you visualize how individual structural members fit together to form a complete and stable structure. You understand the relationships between different components and how they contribute to the overall integrity of the construction.
Transfers to
This ability to understand the interconnectedness of parts within a larger system translates to understanding complex processes and workflows in various civilian industries.
Resource Optimization
You manage materials like steel and concrete to minimize waste and ensure efficient project completion. You also work with tools and equipment, understanding their capabilities and limitations to maximize their effectiveness.
Transfers to
Your experience optimizing resources means you are adept at finding efficiencies and maximizing productivity, a skill valuable in any business setting.
Procedural Compliance
Steelworkers adhere to strict safety regulations and construction codes to ensure the structural integrity and safety of buildings and infrastructure. You follow detailed procedures for welding, cutting, and assembling materials.
Transfers to
Your commitment to following procedures and regulations makes you a reliable and detail-oriented individual, highly valued in regulated industries.
Team Synchronization
You work closely with other tradespeople, such as carpenters, electricians, and plumbers, coordinating efforts to complete projects efficiently. As a connector or tag man, you synchronize your movements with crane operators and ground crews to safely lift and position heavy materials.
Transfers to
Your experience in coordinating with diverse teams makes you an effective collaborator and communicator, able to work towards shared goals in a civilian environment.
/ 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.
Construction Project Coordinator
SOC 13-1041.00You've been managing materials, coordinating with different trades, and ensuring projects adhere to safety regulations for years. This experience provides a strong foundation for overseeing construction projects and ensuring they stay on schedule and within budget. Your understanding of the entire construction process, from the initial blueprint to the final touches, makes you an ideal candidate to manage and coordinate various aspects of construction projects.
Adjacent · MatchQuality Control Inspector
SOC 47-4011.01You're already familiar with quality standards and procedural compliance in construction. You can use your sharp eye for detail to inspect materials, workmanship, and processes to ensure they meet the required specifications. You have a good understanding of construction techniques and materials which allows you to accurately assess the quality and safety of structures.
Adjacent · MatchLogistics Coordinator
SOC 43-3071.00You're adept at managing resources, optimizing workflows, and coordinating with different teams. You can leverage your understanding of construction processes to manage the flow of materials and equipment to construction sites, ensuring timely delivery and minimizing delays. You can anticipate logistical challenges and find creative solutions to keep projects on track.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Steelworker 'A' School
Naval Construction Training Center, Gulfport, MS720hHours
18wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 9 semester hours in Construction Technology
Topics · 8
- Basic Construction Safety
- Blueprint Reading
- Welding (SMAW, GTAW, GMAW)
- Metal Fabrication
- Rigging and Hoisting
- Concrete Formwork
- Reinforcing Steel Placement
- Structural Steel Erection
Partial coverage · 3
- AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner30%
Cloud concepts, AWS core services, security, architecture, pricing, and support.
- OSHA 30-Hour Construction70%
Focus on the remaining specific OSHA regulations not covered in military training, such as those related to specific equipment or hazards.
- Certified Welding Inspector (CWI)40%
Requires knowledge in welding processes, metallurgy, weld inspection methods, and codes. Study specific welding codes, standards, and inspection techniques.
Recommended next · 03
- Project Management Professional (PMP)Adjacent
- Certified Construction Manager (CCM)Adjacent
- LEED Green AssociateAdjacent
/ 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 Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center (NAVFAC EXWC) Technical Manuals | ASTM Standards, AISC Steel Construction Manual | Platform |
| Advanced Base Functional Component (ABFC) View | Construction project management software (e.g., Procore, Autodesk Construction Cloud) | Operations |
| Table of Allowance (TOA) - Construction Equipment | Equipment rental catalogs (e.g., United Rentals, Sunbelt Rentals) | Operations |
| Naval Construction Force Integrated Management System (NCFIMS) | Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems for construction (e.g., Viewpoint Spectrum, Sage 300 Construction and Real Estate) | Operations |
| Welding and Cutting Equipment (e.g., gas torches, arc welders) | Commercial welding and cutting equipment (e.g., Miller Electric, Lincoln Electric) | Operations |
| Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software used for shop drawings | AutoCAD, Revit, SolidWorks | Operations |
| Various Hoisting and Rigging Equipment | Overhead cranes, chain hoists, rigging slings (available from companies like Crosby or Harrington Hoists) | Operations |
/ Translator · Live
Translate SW 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.