Electrician's Mate
The civilian and federal jobs that hire Navy Electrician's Mates — with real salaries and the resume that gets callbacks.
Every EM has more options than a Google search will tell you. Below: career paths, BLS salary data, federal GS series, certifications by target career, and how to translate your experience without losing what made you valuable to the Navy in the first place.
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After the Navy I got hired into 6 federal career fields and tech sales, and sat on federal hiring panels along the way. I spent the last 2 years rebuilding everything I learned into BMR, tuned for how AI actually screens resumes today. This is the system I wish I'd had on day one.
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Military Role Overview
Electrician's Mates (EM) operate and maintain the electrical power generation and distribution systems aboard Navy ships, submarines, and shore facilities. EMs are responsible for everything from the ship's main generators and switchboards to lighting, power distribution panels, and shore power connections. On a surface combatant, EMs keep the electrical plant running — without them, nothing on the ship works.
EMs attend 'A' School at Great Lakes, IL (surface) or Groton, CT (submarine), where they learn AC and DC electrical theory, power generation, motor controllers, switchboard operations, electrical safety, and troubleshooting. Submarine EMs receive additional training on reactor plant electrical systems. Advanced EMs may qualify as Electrical Plant Operators and stand watch as the primary authority over the ship's entire electrical distribution system.
What makes EMs valuable to civilian employers is their combination of high-voltage experience, power generation knowledge, and troubleshooting discipline. An EM who has operated and maintained a ship's electrical plant — managing load distribution, responding to casualties, and keeping critical systems powered — has more hands-on power systems experience than many civilian electricians accumulate in years of commercial work.
EMs land in federal trades and engineering technician roles — WG-2805 Electrician, the 8268 Pneudraulic Mechanic series, and federal facilities maintenance positions all hire EMs out of uniform. I worked across federal engineering and the demand for cleared electrical backgrounds at DoD bases and depots is consistent. — Brad Tachi, Navy Diver veteran & BMR founder
Pay Reality Check
The number that matters when you're deciding what's next: how does civilian pay compare to what you make now?
Military comp is approximate (varies by location/dependents). Civilian is BLS median. Federal includes locality pay. Your real number depends on duty station, family status, GS step, and overtime.
Private Sector Career Paths
The civilian electrical industry is one of the strongest job markets for veterans. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, electricians earn a median annual wage of $65,280 (May 2024, O*NET 47-2111.00), with the top 10% earning over $104,180. Demand is projected to grow 11% through 2032 — much faster than average — driven by infrastructure modernization, renewable energy expansion, and an aging electrician workforce.
EMs with power generation experience fit particularly well into powerhouse, substation, and relay electrician roles, where the BLS median is $99,040 (O*NET 49-2095.00). These positions maintain and repair electrical equipment in power generation facilities, substations, and in-house industrial power distribution — exactly the scale of systems EMs work on aboard ship.
The nuclear-trained EM pipeline opens additional doors. Submarine EMs with reactor plant electrical qualifications are recruited heavily by nuclear power utilities, where nuclear power reactor operators earn a BLS median of $120,350 (O*NET 51-8011.00). Even without nuclear training, EM experience with generator paralleling, load management, and casualty response is directly applicable to power plant operations.
Civilian Job Title Translations
| Civilian Job Title | Industry | BLS Median Salary | Outlook | Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Electrician O*NET: 47-2111.00 | Construction / Utilities / Manufacturing | $65,280 | About as fast as average (6%) | strong |
Electrical Power-Line Installer and Repairer O*NET: 49-9051.00 | Utilities / Energy | $85,020 | About as fast as average (7%) | strong |
Industrial Machinery Mechanic O*NET: 49-9041.00 | Manufacturing / Utilities | $61,050 | Faster than average (14%) | strong |
Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay Electrical Repairer O*NET: 49-2095.00 | Utilities / Energy | $95,640 | About as fast as average (0%) | strong |
Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technician O*NET: 17-3023.00 | Engineering / Manufacturing / Government | $70,230 | About as fast as average (-1%) | moderate |
Wind Turbine Technician O*NET: 49-9081.00 | Energy / Renewable Energy | $63,150 | Much faster than average (60%) | moderate |
Stationary Engineer and Boiler Operator O*NET: 51-8021.00 | Facilities / Hospitals / Manufacturing | $67,340 | Slower than average (-11%) | moderate |
Maintenance and Repair Worker, General O*NET: 49-9071.00 | Facilities Management / Property Management | $46,700 | About as fast as average (5%) | moderate |
Companies That Hire This Background
See a salary you want? Build a resume targeting it.
BMR rewrites your EM experience for any of the civilian roles above — keywords, achievements, and language hiring managers actually scan for.
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“I am wrapping up a 21 year Naval career, all of which was working on fighters. I had picked up a job as a contractor for a company on the same base I’ve been at for the last ten years. I submitted that resume while on deployment and it worked great. Thanks again Brad. Dave ”
Federal Career Paths
Federal agencies employ electricians and electrical engineers across every department. The Department of Defense civilian workforce alone maintains electrical systems at hundreds of installations worldwide. EMs fit into both direct electrical trades and broader engineering and facilities management roles.
The most direct match is Electrician (WG-2805), a wage grade position available at virtually every military installation, NAVFAC facility, and federal building. USACE and Bureau of Reclamation hire electricians for dam and hydroelectric facility maintenance. For EMs targeting higher-grade positions, Electrical Engineering Technician (GS-0802) and Facility Operations Specialist (GS-1640) roles combine technical electrical knowledge with program management.
EMs with power plant experience should look at the Equipment Specialist (GS-1670) series, particularly at NAVSEA and NAVFAC, where positions involve managing lifecycle maintenance programs for shipboard and shore power systems. Quality Assurance Specialist (GS-1910) roles at defense agencies also value EM inspection and testing expertise. For those targeting broader management, General Engineer (GS-0801) positions are available to EMs who pair their experience with an engineering degree or equivalent coursework.
GS Series & Position Matches
| GS Series | Federal Job Title | Typical Grades | Match | Explore |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-0850 | Electrical Engineering | GS-7, GS-9, GS-11 | View Details → | |
| GS-0856 | Electronics Technician | GS-7, GS-9, GS-11 | View Details → | |
| GS-0019 | Safety Technician | GS-7, GS-9, GS-11 | View Details → | |
| GS-2805 | Electrician | WG-8, WG-10, WG-11 | View Details → | |
| GS-0018 | Safety and Occupational Health Management | GS-9, GS-11, GS-12 | View Details → | |
| GS-1712 | Training Instruction | GS-7, GS-9, GS-11 | View Details → | |
| GS-0801 | General Engineering | GS-7, GS-9, GS-11, GS-12 | View Details → | |
| GS-0301 | Miscellaneous Administration and Program | GS-5, GS-7, GS-9 | View Details → | |
| GS-0343 | Management and Program Analyst | GS-7, GS-9, GS-11 | View Details → | |
| GS-0346 | Logistics Management | GS-7, GS-9, GS-11 | View Details → |
Federal resumes follow different rules. We know them.
Federal hiring uses keyword-matching and structured experience. BMR builds federal-format resumes (USAJobs-ready) with the right keywords, hours/week, and supervisor info — for any GS series above.
Free to start · Federal + civilian resume formats included
Want to Change Careers Entirely?
Not everyone wants to stay in a related field. These career paths leverage your transferable skills — leadership, risk management, logistics, project planning — in completely different industries.
Avionics Technician
Aircraft electrical and navigation systems are wired, grounded, and fault-isolated the same way shipboard power systems are. An EM already reads schematics and chases faults across interconnected circuits, which is the core of avionics work.
Elevator and Escalator Installer and Repairer
Elevators run on the same high-voltage motors, relay logic, and safety interlocks EMs maintain at sea. The trade rewards electricians who can diagnose control faults and respect lockout/tagout in tight, dangerous spaces.
Medical Equipment Repairer
Hospital biomedical equipment is electrically intricate and life-critical, the same combination an EM manages on a warship. The mindset of zero-fault maintenance on power and electronic systems transfers directly to the biomed bench.
Power Distributor and Dispatcher
Standing electrical watch on a ship switchboard is grid control in miniature. EMs already balance loads, isolate faults, and restore power under pressure, which is exactly what a utility dispatcher does in a control room.
Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installer
Life-safety systems are wiring, panels, and circuit testing under strict code, a smaller-scale version of the electrical distribution work EMs do daily. The habit of methodical testing before energizing carries straight over.
Calibration Technologist and Technician
EMs work constantly with meters, megohmmeters, and electrical test gear and trust their readings to make go/no-go calls. Calibration turns that instinct for precise electrical measurement into a quality-control career in manufacturing labs.
Pivoting industries? You don't need to start from scratch.
The skills that made you a good Marine, Sailor, Airman, or Soldier transfer further than you think. BMR rewrites your bullets for any of the pivot careers above — without making you sound like you've never done the work.
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Skills Translation Guide
If you are applying to electrical contractors, power utilities, or industrial maintenance shops — your EM terminology mostly translates directly. Those employers understand generator paralleling, switchboard operations, and electrical casualty procedures. You may need to map Navy-specific equipment designations to civilian equivalents, but the core knowledge is the same.
This section is for EMs targeting careers outside of electrical work — project management, operations management, safety, or any role where the hiring manager does not know what an EPCC (Electrical Plant Control Console) is. The translations below reframe your EM experience for a completely different audience.
Resume Bullet Examples
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BMR turns your EM duties and accomplishments into civilian bullets that match the job you're applying for — no manual translation, no rewriting.
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Certifications by Career Path
Which certifications you need depends on where you're headed. Find your target career path below.
Construction & Trades
Facilities Management
Industrial Maintenance
IT & Networking
Project Management
Renewable Energy
Safety & EHS
Got a cert? Don't bury it. List it the right way.
The wrong placement can sink an otherwise strong application. BMR knows where each cert ranks, what to call it, and how to frame it for ATS keyword matching and hiring manager attention.
Free to start · Built around your real certs and clearance
Transition Resources
For Staying in the Electrical Industry
SkillBridge Programs: Several electrical contractors and utilities participate in DOD SkillBridge. Search the SkillBridge database for current openings. Power utilities, shipyards, and defense contractors have historically participated.
Journeyman Electrician License: Most states require a journeyman license for independent electrical work. Requirements vary by state — some accept military electrical experience toward the required hours. Contact your target state's licensing board and provide your training records. The IBEW/NECA Electrical Training Alliance offers apprenticeship programs, and some locals accept military experience for advanced placement.
Industry Associations: The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) publishes the National Electrical Code (NEC). Familiarity with NEC is expected in civilian electrical work. Join the IBEW for union opportunities or the Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) for non-union networking.
For Careers Outside of Electrical Work
Project Management: The PMP certification (PMI) is the gold standard. EMs who managed electrical system installations, overhauls, or upgrade projects may already have enough documented project hours to qualify.
Safety & EHS Careers: Start with OSHA 30-Hour General Industry. For the serious career move, target the CSP (Certified Safety Professional). Your electrical safety experience — lockout/tagout, arc flash awareness, NSTM compliance — counts toward the experience requirement.
Nuclear Power: For nuclear-trained EMs, the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) career page lists reactor operator and maintenance positions. Exelon, Southern Nuclear, and Dominion Energy actively recruit Navy nuclear veterans.
Federal Employment (USAJobs): Create your USAJobs profile immediately. Key agencies for EMs: NAVFAC, USACE, Bureau of Reclamation, TVA, and DOE. Federal resumes are 2 pages max. Build yours here.
Veteran Networking: American Corporate Partners (ACP) provides free mentorship from corporate executives. Completely free for veterans.
Education Benefits: GI Bill covers many electrical apprenticeships, certification exams, and engineering degree programs. Check the GI Bill Comparison Tool before enrolling.
Clearance Leverage: If you have an active Secret or higher clearance, defense contractors and federal agencies value it. ClearanceJobs.com lists positions requiring active clearances.
BMR Career Resources
Navy Resume Guide: Rating Translation | Complete Military Resume Guide | Top Companies Hiring Veterans | Build Your Resume Free
Your 30 / 60 / 90-Day Transition Plan
Most people do this backwards. They wait until terminal leave to start, then panic. Here's the sequence that works. Already out? Same plan, start at day one today.
Set the foundation
- Pull your DD-214 (request from Milconnect if separated)
- List your top 3 civilian roles AND top 3 GS series
- Build your tailored EM resume — BMR does it free
- Write 1 strong LinkedIn headline (not "veteran seeking opportunities")
- Pull together your evals/performance reports for accomplishments
Apply with intent
- Apply to 5–10 jobs/week — quality over quantity
- Tailor every resume to the job description (BMR auto-tailors)
- Connect with 5 people/week on LinkedIn (not a spray)
- Set up a USAJobs profile and a saved-search alert for your GS series
- Practice translating your military bullets out loud — explain to a civilian friend
Close the offer
- Track every application — date, status, contact, notes
- Follow up 7–10 days after each application
- Prep for behavioral interviews using the STAR method
- Negotiate salary — don't take the first offer (BLS median is your floor)
- Stay applying even after one offer — leverage = options
Print this. Tape it to your monitor. Veterans who treat the job search like a 90-day op get hired faster than the ones who treat it like an emergency.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median salary for civilian electricians?
Do I need a journeyman license to work as a civilian electrician?
What if I want to leave electrical work entirely?
How do nuclear-trained EMs compare in the civilian job market?
How do I explain Navy electrical experience in a non-electrical job interview?
Is my security clearance valuable outside the military?
Should I use my GI Bill for a degree or certifications?
What certifications should I get before separating?
How does Veterans' Preference work for federal jobs?
Where are the best job markets for former EMs?
Translate your EM Electrician's Mate experience into a resume that gets callbacks
Stop rewriting from scratch every time you apply. BMR turns your military experience into civilian and federal resumes — tailored to each job.