Electronics Technician
The civilian and federal jobs that hire Navy Electronics Technicians — with real salaries and the resume that gets callbacks.
Every ET 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
Navy Electronics Technicians (ETs) maintain, troubleshoot, and repair the electronic systems that keep warships operational — radar, communications, navigation, and computer networks. From the SPS-73 surface search radar to SATCOM terminals, from Link-16/JTIDS tactical data links to the ship's ECDIS navigation suite, ETs are responsible for keeping multi-million dollar systems running at sea where there is no calling a vendor for support.
ET training begins at A School in Great Lakes, Illinois, where sailors learn fundamental electronics theory, circuit analysis, and digital systems. From there, ETs attend C Schools for specific equipment — SPY-1 radar at Dahlgren, GCCS-M (Global Command and Control System - Maritime) at various sites, or AN/SPS-49 air search radar at specialized schoolhouses. The Navy invests heavily in ET training because these are the people who keep the ship's eyes, ears, and voice working.
What separates Navy ETs from civilian electronics technicians is troubleshooting depth and operational pressure. ETs troubleshoot to the component level using oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, and multimeters — isolating a failed capacitor on a circuit card in the middle of a deployment. They perform 2M (Miniature/Micro-Miniature) soldering repairs on circuit boards that would be thrown away in a civilian shop. When a radar goes down during operations, the ET doesn't submit a work order and wait — they fix it, document it, and report readiness status via CASREP (Casualty Report) if needed.
ETs also own the Planned Maintenance System (PMS) for their assigned equipment, executing scheduled maintenance checks on complex electronic systems while managing corrective maintenance and equipment upgrades simultaneously. Senior ETs supervise electronics workshops, manage technical libraries, mentor junior technicians, and coordinate with shore-based technical support activities (TYCOMs, SPAWAR/NAVWAR) for depot-level repairs they cannot complete shipboard.
Navy ETs sit at the most underrated tech crossover in the Navy — the depth of electronics troubleshooting plus shipboard systems experience translates to federal electronics technician, FAA technical roles, and DoD contractor positions consistently. From the federal hiring side, the cleared-electronics combination is in steady demand. — 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
Navy ETs carry one of the most directly marketable technical skill sets in the military. The ability to troubleshoot complex electronic systems to component level, read schematics, use test equipment professionally, and maintain systems under pressure translates across the entire electronics and telecommunications industry.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024), the median annual wage for Electrical and Electronics Repairers in commercial and industrial equipment is $66,820 (O*NET 49-2094.00). Related fields offer a wide salary range depending on specialization: Telecommunications Equipment Installers earn a median of $61,070, Avionics Technicians earn $81,390, and ETs who pursue engineering roles can reach Electrical Engineer median salaries of $111,910 or Electronics Engineer medians of $117,750.
The private sector values ET experience because these sailors have maintained systems in conditions that civilian technicians never face — salt air corrosion, ship vibration, space constraints, and operational tempo that demands rapid fault isolation. Companies in defense contracting, telecommunications, avionics, and industrial automation actively recruit former Navy ETs.
Civilian Job Title Translations
| Civilian Job Title | Industry | BLS Median Salary | Outlook | Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Electronics Technician (Commercial/Industrial) O*NET: 49-2094.00 | Manufacturing / Industrial / Utilities | $66,820 | About as fast as average | strong |
Field Service Engineer O*NET: 49-2094.00 | Technology / Medical Devices / Defense | $66,820 | About as fast as average | strong |
Telecommunications Equipment Installer/Repairer O*NET: 49-2022.00 | Telecommunications | $61,070 | Little or no change | strong |
Radar Systems Technician O*NET: 49-2094.00 | Defense / Aviation / Weather Services | $66,820 | About as fast as average | strong |
Network Engineer / Administrator O*NET: 15-1244.00 | Information Technology | $96,800 | About as fast as average | moderate |
Avionics Technician O*NET: 49-2091.00 | Aviation / Aerospace | $81,390 | About as fast as average | moderate |
Control Systems Technician O*NET: 49-2094.00 | Manufacturing / Energy / Utilities | $66,820 | About as fast as average | moderate |
Calibration Technician O*NET: 49-2094.00 | Manufacturing / Aerospace / Defense | $66,820 | About as fast as average | moderate |
Companies That Hire This Background
See a salary you want? Build a resume targeting it.
BMR rewrites your ET 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 electronics technicians, engineers, and IT specialists across dozens of installations. For Navy ETs, the GS-0856 (Electronics Technician) series is the most direct match — this covers maintaining, installing, and repairing electronic equipment in federal facilities, including radar systems, communication networks, and navigation aids.
ETs with strong digital systems and networking experience should also explore the GS-2210 (IT Management) series, which covers network administration, cybersecurity, and systems management across every federal agency. The GS-0855 (Electronics Engineering) series is available to ETs who complete a degree or can demonstrate equivalent experience through a combination of military training and professional certifications.
Beyond the technical series, senior ETs with supervisory experience translate well into GS-0301 (Miscellaneous Administration) and GS-0343 (Management and Program Analyst) positions — particularly at NAVSEA, NAVWAR (formerly SPAWAR), and the various Systems Commands where understanding the equipment being managed is a significant advantage. The GS-0391 (Telecommunications) series covers communication systems management, a core ET competency.
Key agencies for former ETs include NAVSEA, NAVWAR/SPAWAR, NAVFAC, FAA (radar and navigation systems), DHS/Coast Guard (vessel electronics), NOAA (research vessel systems), and the Department of Energy (instrumentation and controls). Veterans' Preference gives former ETs a competitive edge, and an active security clearance is particularly valuable at defense-focused agencies.
GS Series & Position Matches
| GS Series | Federal Job Title | Typical Grades | Match | Explore |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-0856 | Electronics Technician | GS-7, GS-9, GS-11, GS-12 | View Details → | |
| GS-2210 | Information Technology Management | GS-7, GS-9, GS-11, GS-12 | View Details → | |
| GS-0854 | Computer Engineering | GS-9, GS-11, GS-12, GS-13 | View Details → | |
| GS-0855 | Electronics Engineering | GS-9, GS-11, GS-12, GS-13 | View Details → | |
| GS-0391 | Telecommunications | GS-7, GS-9, GS-11, GS-12 | View Details → | |
| GS-0850 | Electrical Engineering | GS-9, GS-11, GS-12, GS-13 | View Details → | |
| GS-0340 | Program Management | GS-11, GS-12, GS-13 | View Details → | |
| GS-0343 | Management and Program Analyst | GS-9, GS-11, GS-12, GS-13 | View Details → | |
| GS-0802 | Engineering Technician | GS-7, GS-9, GS-11 | View Details → | |
| GS-1670 | Equipment Services | GS-7, GS-9, GS-11 | View Details → | |
| GS-0346 | Logistics Management | GS-7, GS-9, GS-11 | View Details → | |
| GS-0301 | Miscellaneous Administration and Program | 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.
Medical Equipment Repairer
Hospitals need technicians who can troubleshoot infusion pumps, imaging gear, and patient monitors down to the board level. The diagnostic discipline an ET builds on SPY-1 and shipboard test equipment is exactly the skill biomedical departments hire for, in an industry with nothing to do with the Navy.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Sonography is signal acquisition and interpretation on the body instead of a hull. ETs already think in terms of transmit/receive, signal quality, and gain. That comfort with ultrasound physics and precise probe control is a real head start into a high-paying healthcare field.
Electrical Power-Line Installer and Repairer
Shipboard ETs live around high-voltage power systems and the safety culture that keeps people alive around them. Utilities pay well for people who already respect energized systems and can diagnose distribution faults under pressure, with no prior lineman background assumed.
Wind Turbine Service Technician
A turbine nacelle is a high-up, weather-exposed box of generators, power electronics, and control systems. The fault-isolation mindset and comfort in physically demanding, safety-critical environments that ETs build at sea transfers cleanly to one of the fastest-growing trades in the country.
Solar Photovoltaic Installer
Solar arrays are DC generation, inverters, and grid-tie electrical work. An ET already understands the electrical fundamentals most new installers spend months learning, which makes the jump into a booming renewable trade fast and the path to crew lead faster.
Forensic Science Technician
Crime labs run on instrument operation, chain-of-custody documentation, and disciplined repeatable procedures. The precision, instrument literacy, and attention to documentation an ET develops on diagnostic test benches maps onto lab-based forensic work in an entirely different field.
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.
Free to start · Try as many career angles as you want
Skills Translation Guide
If you're applying to electronics companies, defense contractors, or telecom firms, your terminology largely translates directly — those employers know what an oscilloscope is, and they understand troubleshooting to component level. You probably don't need this section.
But if you're targeting careers outside of electronics — project management, sales, operations, consulting, or management roles — the hiring manager has never heard of PMS checks, CASREPs, or 2M repair. Below are translations that reframe your ET experience into language that resonates in non-electronics industries. These aren't just word swaps — they show how to quantify and contextualize your technical background for a completely different audience.
Resume Bullet Examples
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BMR turns your ET 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.
Communications & Marketing
Cybersecurity
Engineering
Federal Employment
IT & Networking
Project Management
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 Electronics/Technical Fields
SkillBridge Programs: Defense contractors and technology companies participate in DOD SkillBridge, allowing ETs to work civilian technical roles during their last 180 days of service. Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, and L3Harris have historically offered electronics-focused SkillBridge positions. Search the SkillBridge database for current openings in electronics, telecommunications, and field service engineering.
CompTIA Certifications: CompTIA offers industry-standard certifications that validate your technical skills for civilian employers. A+, Network+, and Security+ are the most relevant starting points. Many military training centers offer these exams, and the GI Bill covers prep courses.
Industry Associations: The Electronics Technicians Association (ETA International) offers certifications and networking. The IEEE is the premier professional organization for electrical and electronics engineers — student and associate memberships are available without a degree.
FCC Licensing: The FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL) is valuable for telecommunications and broadcast work. Your Navy RF and communications training provides a strong foundation for the exam.
For Careers Outside of Electronics
Project Management: The PMP certification (PMI) is the gold standard. Senior ETs who managed equipment installation projects, system upgrades, or modernization efforts may already have enough documented project hours to qualify. Cost: ~$555 (PMI member) for the exam. GI Bill covers prep courses.
Cybersecurity: Your electronics and networking background is a foundation for cybersecurity. Start with CompTIA Security+ (often required for DoD 8570 compliance), then target CISSP or CySA+ depending on your focus area.
Federal Employment (USAJobs): Create your USAJobs profile immediately — don't wait until separation. Key agencies for ETs: NAVSEA, NAVWAR/SPAWAR, NAVFAC, FAA, DHS, NOAA, and DOE. Federal resumes are 2 pages max — not the 4-6 page myth you'll see online. Build yours here.
Veteran Networking: American Corporate Partners (ACP) provides free mentorship from corporate executives — you'll get paired with someone in your target industry. ACP is legitimate and completely free for veterans.
Education Benefits: Don't underestimate your GI Bill for professional certifications. Many certification exam fees and prep courses are covered. Use the GI Bill Comparison Tool to verify program approval. For ETs considering engineering degrees, your military electronics training may count toward course credit at some institutions — check with the school's veterans affairs office.
Clearance Leverage: Many ETs hold Secret or Top Secret clearances. That has real market value — especially with defense contractors and intelligence agencies. ClearanceJobs.com lists positions requiring active clearances. Don't let yours lapse during transition.
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 ET 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 former Navy ETs in the private sector?
Do I need a degree to work as a civilian electronics technician?
What certifications should I get before separating?
What if I want to leave electronics entirely?
How do I explain Navy ET experience in a non-technical job interview?
Is my security clearance valuable outside the military?
How does Veterans' Preference work for federal electronics jobs?
Should I use my GI Bill for a degree or certifications?
Where are the best job markets for former Navy ETs?
Can I start job searching while still on active duty?
Translate your ET Electronics Technician 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.