Electrician

The electrical trade is one of the most direct military-to-civilian transitions in the skilled trades. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024), the median annual wage for electricians is $65,280 (O*NET 47-2111.00), with projected employment growth of 6% — faster than average. The top 10% of electricians earn over $104,180. That median climbs higher for industrial electricians working in manufacturing, power generation, and oil and gas.

For 1141s, the transition path typically runs through a state journeyman licensing process. Every state has different requirements, but military electrical experience often counts toward the apprenticeship hours needed for a journeyman or master electrician license. The Helmets to Hardhats program connects veterans with union apprenticeship programs through the IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) and NECA (National Electrical Contractors Association), and many IBEW locals give credit for military electrical training.

Beyond journeyman electrician work, the career ladder is wide. Electrical contractors who start their own businesses can earn well above the BLS median. Electrical inspectors (BLS median $72,120, O*NET 47-4011.00) leverage code knowledge for government and insurance inspection roles. Power plant electricians, solar and renewable energy installers (BLS median $48,800, O*NET 47-2231.00 — growing 8%), and electrical project managers all draw on the same foundational skills. Construction estimators who specialize in electrical work use their field experience to price jobs accurately — something that cannot be learned from a textbook alone.

The BLS projects that 80,200 new electrician jobs will be added between 2023 and 2033. Infrastructure spending, data center construction, EV charging station buildouts, and the ongoing demand for residential and commercial electrical work all drive this growth. Former 1141s who obtain their journeyman license are entering a market that wants them.

Federal employment for former 1141s starts with the Wage Grade (WG) system, not the General Schedule (GS). Electrician positions at federal installations are classified under WG-2805 (Electrician) and WG-2810 (Electrician, High Voltage). These are hands-on trade positions with pay based on local prevailing wage surveys — in many areas, federal WG electricians earn as much or more than their private sector counterparts, with better benefits and retirement. Veterans' preference applies to all of these positions.

Beyond the trades track, 1141s with leadership experience or interest in moving into management can target a range of GS series. The following represent realistic matches — not every 1141 will qualify for every series, but each is worth exploring on USAJobs:

• WG-2805 (Electrician) — Direct match. Maintenance electrician at military bases, VA hospitals, federal buildings. Wage Grade pay.
• WG-2810 (Electrician, High Voltage) — For those with high-voltage distribution experience. Power plants, substations, large federal facilities.
• GS-1670 (Equipment Specialist) — Managing equipment lifecycle, specifications, and maintenance programs. Good fit for 1141s who managed generator fleets or electrical equipment inventories.
• GS-0340 (Program Management) — For senior 1141s (E-6+) who managed electrical projects, training programs, or facilities maintenance schedules.
• GS-0343 (Management/Program Analyst) — Analyzing efficiency and processes. 1141s with experience improving maintenance workflows or energy usage fit here.
• GS-0301 (Miscellaneous Administration) — Broad series covering administrative and management roles. A stepping stone for those building federal careers.
• GS-0346 (Logistics Management) — Supply chain and logistics. 1141s who managed parts inventories, supply requisitions, or equipment deployment schedules.
• GS-1101 (General Business & Industry) — Contracting liaison, business operations. Especially relevant for 1141s who worked with civilian contractors on base.
• GS-1102 (Contracting) — Government procurement and contract management. Requires specific coursework but is a strong long-term career path.
• GS-0080 (Security Administration) — Physical security, access control. Some 1141s have experience with secure facility electrical systems.
• GS-0201 (Human Resources Management) — For those interested in personnel management. Military leadership experience is valued.
• GS-0560 (Budget Analyst) — Managing budgets for projects and programs. 1141s who managed maintenance budgets have relevant experience.
• GS-1712 (Training Instruction) — Training and education roles. Good fit for 1141s who served as instructors at Engineer School or in unit training billets.
• GS-2210 (IT Management) — For tech-oriented 1141s. Understanding of power systems, grounding, and infrastructure translates to data center and IT facility roles.
• GS-0023 (Outdoor Recreation Planning) — Niche but real. Federal parks and recreation facilities need electricians-turned-facility-managers.

Build your federal resume before you start applying — federal resumes require more detail than private sector resumes, including hours per week, supervisor information, and specific duties. See the Federal Resume Format Guide for current OPM requirements.

If you are staying in the electrical trade, your terminology is the industry standard. Hiring managers at electrical contractors, industrial plants, and construction firms know exactly what NEC compliance, panel work, and generator maintenance mean. This section is for 1141s targeting careers outside of electrical and construction work.

The translations below reframe your Marine Corps electrical experience into language that resonates with hiring managers in project management, operations, logistics, and corporate roles — people who have never wired a panel or sized a generator.