Why Do You Need an MOS to Civilian Job Chart?

Your military occupational specialty trained you for a specific mission. The problem is that civilian employers have no idea what 11B, 0311, or BM2 means on a resume. They need job titles, skills, and qualifications they recognize.

This chart maps the most common military jobs across all six branches to their civilian equivalents. Each entry includes salary ranges, certifications that help, and the federal job series that match your background. Use it as a starting point, then run your specific MOS through BMR's AI MOS Translator for personalized career matches.

After helping 15,000+ veterans through BMR, one pattern stands out: the veterans who land jobs fastest are the ones who identify their civilian career targets before they start writing resumes. This chart gives you that target list.

How to Read This Chart

Each branch section lists the most common military jobs with their civilian translations. Here is what each column means:

• MOS/Rating/AFSC — Your military job code
• Military Title — What the military calls it
• Civilian Equivalents — Job titles hiring managers recognize
• Salary Range — Typical civilian pay based on BLS data
• Federal GS Series — Government job classifications that match

Salary ranges reflect median pay for mid-career professionals. Entry-level positions may start lower, and veterans with security clearances or specialized certifications often earn above these ranges. All salary data comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook.

What Are the Top Army MOS Civilian Equivalents?

The Army has the largest variety of occupational specialties. Here are the most common MOS codes and where they lead in the civilian world.

11B — Infantryman: Operations manager ($65K-$95K), security consultant ($60K-$90K), law enforcement officer ($50K-$75K), emergency management specialist ($55K-$80K). Federal: GS-0080 Security, GS-0083 Police, GS-0089 Emergency Management. Veterans with combat experience should highlight leadership and decision-making under pressure rather than weapons qualifications.

25B — IT Specialist: Systems administrator ($65K-$95K), network engineer ($70K-$100K), cybersecurity analyst ($80K-$110K), IT project manager ($85K-$120K). Federal: GS-2210 IT Management. CompTIA Security+ and CCNA certifications accelerate civilian hiring.

68W — Combat Medic: Emergency medical technician ($35K-$55K), paramedic ($45K-$65K), registered nurse with additional schooling ($60K-$90K), physician assistant with PA school ($100K-$130K). Federal: GS-0640 Health Aid, GS-0610 Nurse. Most states require NREMT certification for civilian EMS roles.

42A — Human Resources Specialist: HR coordinator ($45K-$65K), benefits administrator ($50K-$70K), recruiting specialist ($55K-$80K), HR manager ($65K-$95K). Federal: GS-0201 Human Resources. The SHRM-CP certification is the civilian equivalent of your military HR training.

35F — Intelligence Analyst: Business intelligence analyst ($65K-$95K), data analyst ($60K-$85K), threat assessment specialist ($70K-$100K), defense contractor intelligence analyst ($80K-$120K). Federal: GS-0132 Intelligence. A TS/SCI clearance can add $15K-$25K to your civilian salary.

88M — Motor Transport Operator: Logistics coordinator ($45K-$65K), fleet dispatcher ($40K-$55K), CDL truck driver ($50K-$70K), supply chain analyst ($55K-$75K). Federal: GS-2150 Transportation Operations, GS-2101 Transportation Specialist. Your military CDL often converts directly to civilian commercial driving credentials.

91B — Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic: Fleet maintenance technician ($45K-$65K), diesel mechanic ($50K-$70K), automotive service manager ($55K-$80K), heavy equipment technician ($55K-$75K). Federal: GS-5803 Equipment Mechanic. ASE certifications translate directly from military maintenance training.

What Are the Top Navy Rating Civilian Equivalents?

Navy ratings translate well to maritime, engineering, and technical industries. Here are the most common ratings and their civilian paths.

IT — Information Systems Technician: Network administrator ($65K-$90K), cybersecurity specialist ($75K-$110K), cloud systems engineer ($80K-$120K). Federal: GS-2210 IT Management. The Navy IT rating produces some of the most employable veterans in tech because of real-world network operations experience.

HM — Hospital Corpsman: Medical assistant ($35K-$50K), emergency room technician ($40K-$55K), surgical technologist ($50K-$70K), physician assistant with PA school ($100K-$130K). Federal: GS-0640 Health Aid, GS-0679 Medical Technician. Corpsmen transitioning to civilian healthcare should verify state licensing requirements early.

EM — Electrician's Mate: Industrial electrician ($55K-$80K), power plant operator ($65K-$90K), electrical project manager ($75K-$105K), nuclear technician with NEC ($80K-$120K). Federal: GS-2210 Electronics, GS-0850 Electrical Engineering. Nuclear-trained EMs command premium salaries in the energy sector.

OS — Operations Specialist: Air traffic controller ($70K-$130K), logistics coordinator ($50K-$70K), operations analyst ($60K-$85K), intelligence analyst ($65K-$95K). Federal: GS-2152 Air Traffic Control, GS-0301 Miscellaneous Admin. The radar and tactical plotting skills transfer directly to FAA positions.

MM — Machinist's Mate: Industrial mechanic ($50K-$70K), HVAC technician ($45K-$65K), maintenance supervisor ($60K-$85K), facilities manager ($65K-$90K). Federal: GS-5300 Industrial Equipment. Machinist's Mates with engineering watch qualification should emphasize plant management experience.

What Are the Top Air Force AFSC Civilian Equivalents?

Air Force specialties often align closely with civilian technical and administrative roles, making the translation more direct than other branches.

1N0X1 — Operations Intelligence: Intelligence analyst ($65K-$95K), data scientist ($80K-$120K), geospatial analyst ($70K-$100K). Federal: GS-0132 Intelligence, GS-1310 Physics. Air Force intelligence veterans with TS/SCI clearances are highly recruited by defense contractors.

3D0X2 — Cyber Systems Operations: Systems engineer ($75K-$110K), DevOps engineer ($85K-$130K), cloud architect ($95K-$140K). Federal: GS-2210 IT Management. This AFSC maps almost directly to civilian IT roles with minimal retraining needed.

3P0X1 — Security Forces: Corporate security director ($60K-$90K), federal law enforcement ($55K-$85K), loss prevention manager ($50K-$70K), private investigation ($55K-$80K). Federal: GS-0083 Police, GS-1811 Criminal Investigation. LEOSA and state POST certifications open the most doors.

2A — Aircraft Maintenance (all shreds): Aviation maintenance technician ($55K-$80K), A&P mechanic ($60K-$85K), quality assurance inspector ($65K-$90K), MRO manager ($75K-$100K). Federal: GS-8852 Aircraft Mechanic. Your military maintenance records count toward FAA A&P certification requirements.

What Are the Top Marine Corps MOS Civilian Equivalents?

Marine Corps specialties emphasize leadership and adaptability, which translates well to management and operations roles.

0311 — Rifleman: Operations supervisor ($55K-$85K), security manager ($60K-$90K), law enforcement ($50K-$75K), corporate training manager ($65K-$95K). Federal: GS-0080 Security, GS-1712 Training Instruction. Marine infantry veterans should lead with team leadership and operational planning rather than combat skills.

0811 — Field Artillery Cannoneer: Project coordinator ($50K-$70K), logistics manager ($55K-$80K), defense contractor operations ($65K-$95K), emergency management ($55K-$80K). Federal: GS-0340 Program Management, GS-0346 Logistics Management. Artillery Marines have strong coordination and precision skills that map well to project management.

0621 — Field Radio Operator: Telecommunications technician ($50K-$75K), network operations specialist ($55K-$80K), IT help desk manager ($55K-$75K). Federal: GS-0391 Telecommunications, GS-2210 IT Management. Radio operators with SATCOM experience are well-positioned for satellite communications companies.

0341 — Mortarman: Project coordinator ($50K-$70K), supply chain specialist ($50K-$75K), emergency services coordinator ($50K-$70K), fire support analyst for defense contractors ($65K-$90K). Federal: GS-0340 Program Management. Like other combat arms, the transferable skills are precision planning, team coordination, and performing under high-pressure timelines.

3531 — Motor Vehicle Operator: Fleet manager ($50K-$70K), transportation supervisor ($55K-$75K), CDL truck driver ($50K-$70K), logistics coordinator ($50K-$70K). Federal: GS-5703 Motor Vehicle Operating. A CDL often converts directly from military driver qualifications.

What Are the Top Coast Guard and Space Force Civilian Equivalents?

Coast Guard ratings map directly to maritime and environmental careers, while Space Force specialties connect to aerospace and satellite industries.

Coast Guard

BM — Boatswain's Mate: Harbor pilot ($70K-$120K), marine operations manager ($60K-$90K), port security director ($65K-$95K). Federal: GS-0081 Fire Protection, GS-2101 Transportation. Boatswain's Mates with USCG licensing have a direct path to civilian maritime credentials.

MST — Marine Science Technician: Environmental compliance specialist ($55K-$80K), environmental scientist ($60K-$85K), HAZMAT specialist ($55K-$75K), EPA inspector ($65K-$90K). Federal: GS-0028 Environmental Protection, GS-1301 Physical Sciences. MSTs are uniquely positioned for growing environmental compliance careers.

ME — Maritime Enforcement Specialist: Federal law enforcement agent ($55K-$90K), customs and border protection officer ($55K-$85K), port security specialist ($50K-$75K). Federal: GS-1811 Criminal Investigation, GS-1896 Border Patrol. ME experience maps directly to DHS and CBP positions.

Space Force

5C0X1 — Command and Control Operations: Satellite operations engineer ($80K-$120K), space systems analyst ($85K-$130K), aerospace operations manager ($90K-$140K). Federal: GS-1310 Physics, GS-0861 Aerospace Engineering. The commercial space industry (SpaceX, Blue Origin, ULA) actively recruits Space Force veterans.

1C6X1 — Space Systems Operations: Satellite communications engineer ($75K-$110K), mission operations specialist ($80K-$120K), ground systems engineer ($85K-$125K). Federal: GS-0856 Electronics, GS-1550 Computer Science. This is one of the fastest-growing career fields as commercial space expands.

How Do You Use This Chart to Build Your Resume?

Having a chart is step one. Turning it into a resume that gets interviews requires a few more moves.

This chart shows you the options. Your resume is where you make the case. Here are four steps to turn chart data into interview calls.

Pick your target path first. Most military jobs map to multiple civilian careers. Choose the one that matches both your skills and your interests. Applying to everything dilutes your resume. When I separated as a Navy Diver, I could have gone into commercial diving, underwater welding, environmental compliance, or project management. I picked a lane and tailored everything to that lane.

Translate your job title immediately. Your resume header should show the civilian job title you are targeting, not your military title. A recruiter scanning for "Project Manager" will not find "E-6 Artillery Section Chief" in their ATS search. Use this chart to identify the right civilian title, then build your resume around it.

Quantify everything with civilian metrics. Replace military-specific measurements with business language. "Led a fire team of 4" becomes "Supervised a team of 4 direct reports." "Managed $2.3M in unit equipment" becomes "Managed $2.3M equipment inventory across multiple sites." The numbers stay the same — the framing changes.

Match certifications to your target. This chart lists relevant certifications for each career path. If you do not have them yet, mention them as "in progress" on your resume. It shows hiring managers you understand what the civilian role requires.

Target federal jobs that match your series. Every entry in this chart includes federal GS series codes. Search those series numbers on USAJOBS to find open positions where your military experience counts as qualifying. Veterans preference gives you an edge that civilian applicants do not have — use it.

For a personalized translation of your specific MOS with AI-generated resume bullets, run your job code through the BMR Career Crosswalk Tool. It maps your specialty to specific civilian job titles, salary ranges, and federal positions — all tailored to your experience level.