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NavyRating: HT
Hull Maintenance Technician
The civilian and federal jobs that hire Navy Hull Maintenance Technicians — with real salaries and the resume that gets callbacks.
Every HT 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.
Free · No credit card · Tailored resume in under 5 minutes
$46K–$117K
Salary Range
BLS-verified median salaries
15
Career Paths
15
Companies Hiring
3
Resume Examples
11
Federal GS Series
6
Certification Paths
12
FAQs Answered
BT
Brad Tachi
Navy Diver · BMR Founder
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.
60,000+ resumes built·Success stories every week
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Military Role Overview
The Navy Hull Maintenance Technician (HT) is the rate that keeps the ship's structure, piping, and fluid systems alive. HTs run shipboard welding, plumbing, sheet metal fabrication, plate work, brazing and soldering, valve maintenance, fire main and CHT (sewage) systems, and any structural repair the hull throws at you. The work is hands-on metal trades on a steel platform that has to fight, float, and survive damage — meaning HTs train and work to a higher standard than most civilian shops will ever see.
The training pipeline runs about 8 weeks of Recruit Training at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, followed by roughly 10 weeks of HT "A" School at Naval Technical Training Center Great Lakes (under NATTC). A School covers SMAW (stick) welding, MIG and TIG welding, brazing and soldering, plasma cutting, sheet metal layout and fabrication, plate work, pipefitting and threading, valve maintenance, and shipboard plumbing. Some HTs may attend follow-on "C" School for advanced welding qualifications, NDT (non-destructive testing), or specific shipboard system schools depending on command and billet. HTs serve aboard CVNs, surface combatants, amphibious ships, submarines (in limited billets), and at shore installations including Regional Maintenance Centers and shipyards.
Civilian employers value HTs because the work is unmistakable on a resume. Welding, plumbing, sheet metal, plate fabrication, valve work, structural repair — these are skills the federal trades pay-banding system recognizes by series number, and the private shipbuilding and industrial sectors recognize by sight. The depth matters too: a Navy welder operates under shipyard quality standards, hot work safety procedures, and structural certification requirements that translate immediately into NAVFAC, public shipyards, oil refineries, and union halls.
For a wider view of how Navy ratings translate, browse the military-to-civilian career hub. The closest companion rates are DC Damage Controlman (often paired with HTs in shipboard repair lockers) and the MM Machinist's Mate for the engineering-spaces overlap.
BMR has built more than 55,000 resumes across every rate, and HTs land in federal trades faster than almost any other Navy rate we see. The work is unmistakable — welding, structural fabrication, plumbing, brazing, sheet metal, plate work — and federal hiring at NAVFAC, shipyards, and DoD facilities recognizes it on sight. I worked in federal engineering myself after the Navy and saw the demand for cleared welder backgrounds at shipyards and depots up close. — Brad Tachi, Navy Diver veteran & BMR founder
Security ClearanceSecret (most billets)
ASVAB RequirementVE+AR+MK+AS=205 or VE+AR+MK+MC=205
Training~8 weeks Recruit Training at RTC Great Lakes, then ~10 weeks HT A School at NTTC Great Lakes
Certs Earned in ServiceNAVSEA welder qualifications (SMAW/GMAW/GTAW), Brazing and soldering qualifications, Sheet metal layout and fabrication, Plumbing and pipefitting (shipboard), Hot work safety / Tag-out, Damage Control PQS
Pay Reality Check
The number that matters when you're deciding what's next: how does civilian pay compare to what you make now?
Navy mid-career
$58K–$82K
E-5 to E-7 total comp (base + BAH + BAS + tax advantage)
Civilian Hull Maintenance Technician
$49K–$74K
BLS median across direct-match civilian roles
Federal (GS-9 to GS-13)
$58K–$120K
11 matching GS series + locality pay + step increases
-13% on average
Civilian base pay for Hull Maintenance Technicians runs ~$9K below mid-career enlisted total comp — but BAH-equivalent housing costs are now your responsibility on the military side too.
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 market for HTs splits into three main lanes: the metal trades (welding, pipefitting, sheet metal, structural fabrication), industrial maintenance and shipbuilding, and energy-sector welding (refineries, pipelines, power plants). The unique thing about HTs versus generic civilian welders is that you've already worked on certified structural systems where errors flooded compartments — that quality discipline is something private shipyards and refineries pay a premium for.
Direct Civilian Career Paths
- Welder / Cutter / Solderer / Brazer — BLS median $48,940 (51-4121.00). Direct fit. Shipyards, fabrication shops, structural welding outfits, and refinery turnaround crews all hire former HTs straight out of A School qualifications. Specialty welders (TIG on stainless, exotic alloys, pipe welding) clear $80K-$110K.
- Pipefitter / Steamfitter — BLS median $61,550 (47-2152.00). Shipboard piping, fire main, and CHT/sewage system experience map directly. Industrial pipefitter roles in refineries, power plants, and shipyards routinely pay $30-$45/hr with overtime.
- Sheet Metal Worker — BLS median $58,780 (47-2211.00). HVAC ducting, custom fabrication, architectural metal — the layout and forming skills from A School plate work translate without retraining.
- Industrial Machinery Mechanic — BLS median $61,170 (49-9041.00). Valve maintenance, system troubleshooting, and shipboard repair of pumps and rotating equipment fits this BLS lane closely.
- Structural Metal Fabricator — BLS median $48,650 (51-2041.00). Shipyards, structural steel shops, and equipment manufacturers hire former HTs into fabricator and assembler roles, often with welder dual-classification.
- Boilermaker — BLS median $73,840 (47-2011.00). Pressure vessels, boilers, and tank fabrication. Strong overlap with shipboard plate work; union boilermaker locals (Boilermakers Local 154, 290, etc.) actively recruit Navy HTs.
- Plumber — BLS median $61,550 (47-2152.00). Residential and commercial plumbing licensure paths exist in every state; HT plumbing time can count toward apprenticeship hours in many jurisdictions.
- Welding Inspector (CWI) — BLS lumps this with construction inspectors at $70,300 (47-4011.00). With AWS Certified Welding Inspector credentialing, HTs move into QA/inspection roles at $80K-$120K, especially in shipbuilding and pipeline.
Geography drives the metal trades hard. The biggest welder demand is in the Gulf Coast (Houston, Beaumont, Lake Charles, Mobile) for refinery and pipeline work, the Pacific Northwest and Mid-Atlantic for naval shipbuilding (Bath, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth NH, Bremerton, San Diego), the Great Lakes for shipbuilding and structural steel, and the Northeast for union boilermaker and pipefitter work. Pay scales vary widely — a non-union welder in inland markets makes $48K, while a union pipefitter in California makes $130K with benefits.
For salary expectations across military trades, read Military to Civilian Salary: What You're Worth. The closest cross-branch career match is Coast Guard MK Machinery Technician, and the Army 12B Combat Engineer page covers structural and demolition-adjacent work that hires from the same applicant pool.
Companies That Actively Recruit HTs
The big naval shipbuilders are the most direct fit because they need exactly the welding, plate, and pipefitting skills you already use shipboard. Defense contractors, federal civilian shipyards, refinery operators, and large engineering and construction firms round out the list. Build your free HT-tailored resume in under 5 minutes — the BMR builder translates SMAW, TIG, plate, and brazing work into private-sector and federal language automatically.
Civilian Job Title Translations
| Civilian Job Title | Industry | BLS Median Salary | Outlook | Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Welder, Cutter, Solderer, and Brazer O*NET: 51-4121.00 | Manufacturing & Shipbuilding | $48,940 | 2% (Slower than average) | strong |
Pipefitter / Steamfitter O*NET: 47-2152.00 | Industrial Construction | $61,550 | 6% (Faster than average) | strong |
Sheet Metal Worker O*NET: 47-2211.00 | Construction & HVAC | $58,780 | 1% (Little or no change) | strong |
Industrial Machinery Mechanic O*NET: 49-9041.00 | Manufacturing | $61,170 | 13% (Much faster than average) | strong |
Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter O*NET: 51-2041.00 | Manufacturing | $48,650 | 3% (Slower than average) | strong |
Boilermaker O*NET: 47-2011.00 | Industrial Construction | $73,840 | -1% (Decline) | strong |
Plumber O*NET: 47-2152.00 | Construction | $61,550 | 6% (Faster than average) | moderate |
Construction and Building Inspector (CWI / QA) O*NET: 47-4011.00 | Quality Assurance | $70,300 | 0% (Little or no change) | moderate |
Welder, Cutter, Solderer, and Brazer
Manufacturing & Shipbuilding
$48,940median
2% (Slower than average)
O*NET: 51-4121.00
Pipefitter / Steamfitter
Industrial Construction
$61,550median
6% (Faster than average)
O*NET: 47-2152.00
Sheet Metal Worker
Construction & HVAC
$58,780median
1% (Little or no change)
O*NET: 47-2211.00
Industrial Machinery Mechanic
Manufacturing
$61,170median
13% (Much faster than average)
O*NET: 49-9041.00
Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter
Manufacturing
$48,650median
3% (Slower than average)
O*NET: 51-2041.00
Boilermaker
Industrial Construction
$73,840median
-1% (Decline)
O*NET: 47-2011.00
Plumber
Construction
$61,550median
6% (Faster than average)
O*NET: 47-2152.00
Construction and Building Inspector (CWI / QA)
Quality Assurance
$70,300median
0% (Little or no change)
O*NET: 47-4011.00
Companies That Hire This Background
Largest military shipbuilder in the U.S. Builds CVNs and Virginia-class submarines. Active welder, pipefitter, sheet metal, and structural hiring at Newport News and Pascagoula yards.
Bath Iron Works (DDG-51 destroyers) and Electric Boat (Virginia/Columbia subs) actively recruit Navy HTs into welder, pipefitter, and shipfitter trades.
BAE Ship Repair facilities at Norfolk, San Diego, and Mayport hire HTs directly for hull, structural, and piping work on Navy contracts.
Defense manufacturing and littoral combat ship work; structural fabrication and welding roles across multiple sites.
Defense manufacturing including unmanned systems and vehicle production; welder and fabricator roles at multiple production sites.
Builds Coast Guard cutters and patrol vessels at Lockport and Larose, LA. Direct fit for HTs with welding and structural fabrication.
Mobile, AL shipyard building Navy LCS, EPF, and steel-hull combatants. Constant aluminum and steel welder hiring.
Builds Navy Constellation-class frigates at Marinette, WI. Welder, pipefitter, and sheet metal hiring.
Federal facilities, shipyard support, and defense logistics. Actively hires cleared welders and trades veterans.
DoD facilities maintenance, NAVFAC support, and shipyard contractor work. Welder, pipefitter, and trades roles across global footprint.
Defense facilities and logistics services contractor. Trades roles at DoD installations CONUS and OCONUS.
Defense engineering and federal facilities work. Trades and supervisory roles for veterans with structural and piping experience.
Steel mill operations and structural steel production. Welder, fabricator, and industrial maintenance roles at multiple plants.
Refinery turnaround welding and pipefitting work; major hiring at Richmond, El Segundo, and Pascagoula refineries.
Refinery operations and maintenance; welding, pipefitting, and turnaround work at Gulf Coast and West Coast facilities.
See a salary you want? Build a resume targeting it.
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Real Navy success story
“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 ”
David· Chief Petty Officer (E-7)· Navy
→ AviationFederal Career Paths
Federal hiring is the strongest lane HTs have, and most veterans don't realize how strong until they actually apply. The Federal Wage System (FWS) trades pay schedule was built for this work — there are dedicated job series for welding, pipefitting, sheet metal, marine machinery, and production machinery, and the four public shipyards (Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard) plus NAVFAC, the Defense Logistics Agency, and DoD installations need exactly this skill set on a continuous basis.
Federal Wage System (FWS) and GS Series Matches
HT skills map across multiple FWS trades series and a few GS supervisory and inspection series. Match strength depends on time-in-rate, school qualifications, and additional duties:
- WG-3703 Welding — Direct fit. Public shipyards and depots staff welder positions almost continuously. SMAW, MIG, TIG, and pipe welding qualifications transfer directly. Typical entry: WG-8 to WG-10, with WG-11 hard journeyman wage.
- WG-4204 Pipefitting — Direct fit. Fire main, CHT, fuel, and steam piping work translates immediately. Strong demand at all four public shipyards, NAVFAC public works, and DLA depots. WG-8 to WG-10 entry.
- WG-3806 Sheet Metal Mechanic — A School plate and sheet metal work plus shipboard fabrication maps cleanly. Public shipyards, DoD facilities, and federal HVAC trades all hire this series. WG-8 to WG-10.
- WG-5334 Marine Machinery Mechanic — Strong fit because of valve maintenance, pump repair, and shipboard system troubleshooting. Naval shipyards specifically rely on this series. WG-9 to WG-11.
- WG-5350 Production Machinery Mechanic — Industrial maintenance fit for HTs with broader machinery experience. DoD ammunition plants, depots, and industrial facilities. WG-8 to WG-10.
- WG-5803 Heavy Mobile Equipment Mechanic — Adjacent fit for HTs with cross-trained vehicle and heavy equipment maintenance experience. Common at NAVFAC public works centers.
- WG-5306 Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic — HTs with shipboard HVAC system experience can pivot here, especially with EPA 608 certification. Federal facility maintenance hires steadily.
- GS-0019 Safety Technician — Senior HTs with hot work safety, confined space, and damage control experience. Shipyards, DoD installations, NAVFAC. Typical: GS-7 to GS-9.
- GS-0081 Fire Protection and Prevention — Adjacent fit for HTs with significant fire main, CHT, and damage control work. DoD fire departments and federal facility fire protection. GS-7 to GS-9.
- WS-3703 Welding Supervisor / WL-3703 Welding Leader — For senior NCOs (E-6 and above) who supervised shop or repair locker work. Federal supervisory pay grades pay well above journeyman wage rates.
Public Shipyards and NAVFAC
The four public shipyards are not subtle about wanting Navy HTs. Norfolk Naval Shipyard (Portsmouth, VA), Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (Kittery, ME), Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility (Bremerton, WA), and Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard & IMF all run continuous welder, pipefitter, sheet metal, and marine machinery hiring. NAVFAC public works centers across every Navy region also hire trades constantly. These positions count federal service from the day you start, are union-represented (Metal Trades Council in most cases), and stack with Veterans' Preference cleanly.
Veterans' Preference for HTs
Most honorably discharged veterans qualify for 5-point preference; disabled veterans qualify for 10-point preference, which moves your application to the top of the cert for WG-9 and below positions and many GS-9 and below positions. Combat-deployed HTs frequently qualify for 10-point preference based on award criteria. The preference is real, but it only applies if your federal resume actually translates your A School qualifications and shipboard work into the keyword vocabulary the rating panels use.
For the federal resume side, use the BMR federal resume builder directly, or read Convert NCOER, OER, or FITREP into Resume Bullets for the eval-to-resume conversion playbook. The Navy EN Engineman page also covers the WG-5334 / WG-5350 series in more depth.
GS Series & Position Matches
| GS Series | Federal Job Title | Typical Grades | Match | Explore |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-3703 | Welding | WG-8, WG-9, WG-10, WG-11 | View Details → | |
| GS-5334 | Marine Machinery Mechanic | WG-9, WG-10, WG-11 | View Details → | |
| GS-4204 | Pipefitting | WG-8, WG-9, WG-10 | View Details → | |
| GS-3806 | Sheet Metal Mechanic | WG-8, WG-9, WG-10 | View Details → | |
| GS-0019 | Safety Technician | GS-7, GS-8, GS-9 | View Details → | |
| GS-5350 | Production Machinery Mechanic | WG-8, WG-9, WG-10 | View Details → | |
| GS-1640 | Facility Operations Services | GS-5, GS-6, GS-7 | View Details → | |
| GS-5306 | Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic | WG-8, WG-9 | View Details → | |
| GS-0081 | Fire Protection and Prevention | GS-7, GS-8, GS-9 | View Details → | |
| GS-5803 | Heavy Mobile Equipment Mechanic | WG-8, WG-9, WG-10 | View Details → | |
| GS-1670 | Equipment Services | GS-5, GS-6, GS-7 | 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 · No credit card · 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.
Industrial Production Manager
$116,970
Manufacturing(O*NET: 11-3051.00)BLS OEWS May 20243% (Slower than average)
production schedulingteam leadershipquality controlsafety oversightprocess improvement
Senior HTs (E-6 and above) who supervised shop or repair locker work have run multi-trade production already. Civilian production management is the same work with different vocabulary.
How to get there: Start as production supervisor or lead. PMP or Six Sigma Green Belt accelerates promotion to manager.
Construction Manager
$104,900
Construction(O*NET: 11-9021.00)BLS OEWS May 20248% (Faster than average)
project planningcrew supervisionsafety oversightquality controlvendor coordination
HTs with shipyard yard period coordination experience have already managed multi-trade work under tight schedules. Industrial and shipbuilding construction firms hire for this directly.
How to get there: Start as field superintendent or assistant project manager. PMP and OSHA 30 are the credentials to chase.
Occupational Health and Safety Specialist
$83,340
Industrial Safety(O*NET: 19-5011.00)BLS OEWS May 20245% (Faster than average)
hot work safetyconfined spaceLOTOdamage controlincident response
HTs run hot work and confined space entries under stricter standards than most civilian shops. The safety vocabulary is identical; the recruiter just needs to see civilian credentials.
How to get there: BCSP ASP, then CSP. OSHA 30 minimum. Target shipyards, refineries, and industrial construction first.
Quality Control Inspector
$45,990
Manufacturing & Construction(O*NET: 51-9061.00)BLS OEWS May 2024-2% (Decline)
weld inspectiondimensional measurementcode compliancedocumentationnon-destructive testing
HTs with QAI or 3M coordinator experience have already done structured inspection work. Shipbuilding and pipeline QC pays well above the BLS median for credentialed inspectors.
How to get there: AWS CWI for welding inspection. NDT Level II (UT/MT/PT) for non-destructive testing. API credentials for refinery work.
Operations Supervisor / Manager
$101,280
Industrial Operations(O*NET: 11-1021.00)BLS OEWS May 20244% (Faster than average)
multi-trade coordinationcrew leadershipprocess managementsafety oversightaccountability
Repair locker LPO and 3M coordinator experience map directly to industrial operations supervision. The decision-making and crew management work is the same.
How to get there: Start as shift supervisor or operations lead. PMP, Six Sigma, and an industry-specific credential accelerate to manager.
Sales Engineer (Welding/Industrial Equipment)
$116,950
Industrial B2B Sales(O*NET: 41-9031.00)BLS OEWS May 20246% (Faster than average)
technical knowledgecustomer relationshipssolution designindustrial systems
Veterans with deep welding and industrial systems knowledge can sell into the same industry. Lincoln Electric, Miller Electric, ESAB, Hypertherm all hire technical sales engineers from the trades.
How to get there: Direct application to manufacturer sales programs. Some require an associate degree; many waive for documented technical experience.
Welding Instructor / Trade School Teacher
$62,370
Career & Technical Education(O*NET: 25-1194.00)BLS OEWS May 20240% (Little or no change)
welding instructioncurriculum developmentstudent supervisionpractical assessment
A School-qualified HTs with E-6 or above leadership experience can teach welding at community colleges, trade schools, and union apprenticeship programs.
How to get there: AWS Certified Welding Educator (CWE) plus state vocational teaching credential. Many community colleges hire on industry experience without traditional degree requirements.
Pivoting industries? You don't need to start from scratch.
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Skills Translation Guide
If you're staying in welding, pipefitting, sheet metal, or shipyard trades, your terminology translates directly. Hiring managers at Newport News, Bath Iron Works, Bollinger, refineries, and union locals already know SMAW, TIG, root pass, hot pass, plate prep, and brazing rod numbers. This section is for HTs targeting careers OUTSIDE the metal trades — operations management, project management, manufacturing supervision, safety, and quality assurance roles where the recruiter doesn't pattern-match on rate-specific language.
Military-to-Civilian Language Translation
The HT vocabulary has a lot of jargon that is meaningless outside the metal trades. Civilian recruiters at industrial companies, manufacturing plants, or general operations roles need translated terms:
- Hull Maintenance Technician (HT) → Industrial Welder & Structural Fabrication Specialist
- Shipboard Repair Locker → Industrial Maintenance Response Team
- SMAW / MIG / TIG / Brazing → Stick / Wire-feed / Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (call out by the AWS process names: SMAW, GMAW, GTAW)
- Plate Work / Plate Layout → Structural Steel Fabrication and Assembly
- Hot Work Authorization / Tag-Out → Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) Compliance & Hot Work Permitting
- Damage Control / Repair Party → Emergency Response & Industrial Safety Operations
- CHT / Fire Main / Potable Water Systems → Industrial Plumbing & Process Piping Systems
- Valve Maintenance → Industrial Valve Service and System Isolation
- Shop Foreman / Work Center Supervisor (WCS) → Shop Supervisor / Production Lead
- Quality Assurance Inspector (QAI) / 3M Coordinator → QA Inspector / Maintenance Program Coordinator
Resume Bullet Examples
Before (Military): Performed SMAW, GMAW, and GTAW welding on shipboard structural and piping systems aboard USS XYZ during 8-month deployment.
After (Civilian Industrial Welder): Executed SMAW, MIG, and TIG welding on certified structural and pressure piping systems aboard a forward-deployed naval platform. Held AWS-equivalent qualifications across multiple positions and processes; passed shipyard quality inspection on 100% of welds across 8-month operational period.
Before (Military): Served as Repair Locker 2 Leading Petty Officer responsible for damage control and structural repairs.
After (Civilian Operations Supervisor): Led 8-person industrial maintenance response team responsible for emergency structural repair, system isolation, and damage mitigation across $1.2B asset. Coordinated 24-hour readiness rotation and trained personnel to certified-response standards.
Before (Military): Replaced fire main piping and valves during yard period.
After (Civilian Industrial Pipefitter): Fabricated, installed, and pressure-tested process piping and valve assemblies during 6-month industrial maintenance period. Worked under shipyard quality and safety standards including hot work permitting, LOTO, and confined-space entry procedures.
For the broader translation playbook, read 50 Military Terms Translated to Civilian Language. To skip the manual translation work, the BMR builder handles HT-to-civilian translation automatically.
Military-to-Civilian Language Translation
| Military Term | Civilian Equivalent |
|---|---|
| Hull Maintenance Technician (HT) | Industrial Welder & Structural Fabrication Specialist |
| SMAW / GMAW / GTAW / FCAW | Stick / MIG / TIG / Flux-Core Welding (use AWS process names) |
| Plate Work / Plate Layout | Structural Steel Fabrication and Assembly |
| Shipboard Repair Locker (LPO) | Industrial Maintenance Response Team Lead |
| Hot Work Authorization / Tag-Out | Hot Work Permitting & Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) |
| Fire Main / CHT / Potable Water Systems | Industrial Process Piping & Plumbing Systems |
| 3M Coordinator / QAI | Maintenance Program Coordinator / QA Inspector |
| Damage Control / Repair Party | Emergency Response & Industrial Safety Operations |
Resume Bullet Examples
Before (Military)
Performed SMAW, GMAW, and GTAW welding on shipboard structural and piping systems aboard USS XYZ during 8-month deployment.
After (Civilian)
Executed SMAW, MIG, and TIG welding on certified structural and pressure piping systems aboard a forward-deployed naval platform; passed shipyard quality inspection on 100% of welds across 8-month operational period.
Before (Military)
Served as Repair Locker 2 LPO responsible for damage control and structural repairs.
After (Civilian)
Led 8-person industrial maintenance response team responsible for emergency structural repair, system isolation, and damage mitigation across $1.2B asset.
Before (Military)
Replaced fire main piping and valves during yard period.
After (Civilian)
Fabricated, installed, and pressure-tested process piping and valve assemblies during 6-month industrial maintenance period under shipyard quality and LOTO standards.
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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
AWS Certified Welder (CW)
RequiredAmerican Welding Society
Cost: $50-$300 per process/positionTime: 1-2 days per testGI Bill Eligible
Industry-standard welder credential. Stack multiple processes and positions (SMAW 6G, GTAW 6G) for maximum portability.
NCCER Welding / Pipefitting
RecommendedNCCER
Cost: $100-$500Time: 1-3 monthsGI Bill Eligible
Widely recognized in industrial and commercial construction. Modular and stackable.
UA Pipefitter / Plumber Apprenticeship
Highly RecommendedUnited Association
Cost: Free (paid apprenticeship)Time: 4-5 years (accelerated for veterans)GI Bill Eligible
Helmets to Hardhats handles veteran entry. Many locals waive hours for Navy HT A School and shipboard time.
Boilermakers Apprenticeship
RecommendedInternational Brotherhood of Boilermakers
Cost: Free (paid apprenticeship)Time: 4 yearsGI Bill Eligible
Strong fit for HTs with plate and pressure vessel work. Top-tier wages and benefits in industrial construction.
CDL Class A
OptionalState DMV / Trade School
Cost: $3,500-$6,000Time: 7-10 weeksGI Bill Eligible
Useful for hazmat-endorsed driving roles paying $60K-$95K. Stacks well with shipboard logistics experience.
Federal Employment
NAVSEA / Federal Welder Certification (Public Shipyards)
RecommendedNAVSEA / Public Shipyards
Cost: Free (during federal employment)Time: Stacks with WG-3703 hire
Public shipyards (Norfolk, Portsmouth, Puget Sound, Pearl Harbor) re-certify welders to NAVSEA standards on hire. Veterans Preference plus shipboard experience moves you to the top of the cert.
Industrial Maintenance
EPA Section 608 Universal
RecommendedEPA
Cost: $30-$200Time: 1 day exam
Required for HVAC refrigerant handling. Useful for HTs with shipboard HVAC experience pivoting to facility maintenance.
Manufacturing
Project Management Professional (PMP)
OptionalProject Management Institute
Cost: $405-$555 + prepTime: 3-6 months prepGI Bill Eligible
For senior HTs (E-6 and above) targeting industrial project or production management roles. Pairs well with section leader experience.
Quality Assurance
AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI)
Highly RecommendedAmerican Welding Society
Cost: $1,200-$1,800 (exam + seminar)Time: 3-6 months prepGI Bill Eligible
Long-term play for $80K-$120K inspection and QA roles in shipbuilding, pipeline, and structural construction.
NDT Level II (UT, MT, PT)
RecommendedASNT (American Society for Nondestructive Testing)
Cost: $500-$2,500 per methodTime: 1-3 months per methodGI Bill Eligible
Non-destructive testing certifications for inspection roles. UT (ultrasonic), MT (magnetic particle), PT (dye penetrant) most common in shipbuilding.
API 510 / 570 / 653 Inspector
Highly RecommendedAmerican Petroleum Institute
Cost: $1,500-$3,500Time: 6-12 months prepGI Bill Eligible
Refinery and pipeline inspector credentials. API 570 (process piping) is the strongest fit for HTs targeting refinery work.
Safety & EHS
OSHA 30-Hour General Industry or Construction
RequiredOSHA Outreach
Cost: $150-$200Time: 30 hours
Cheap and useful credential for any industrial role. Often required for shipyard and refinery work.
BCSP Associate Safety Professional (ASP)
RecommendedBoard of Certified Safety Professionals
Cost: $510 exam + study materialsTime: 4-6 months prepGI Bill Eligible
Entry-level safety credential. Bridge to CSP and EHS management roles.
BCSP Certified Safety Professional (CSP)
Highly RecommendedBoard of Certified Safety Professionals
Cost: $510 exam + study materialsTime: 6-12 months prep + experience requirementGI Bill Eligible
Industry gold standard for safety roles in shipbuilding, refining, and industrial construction.
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Transition Resources
Staying in the Field (Welding, Pipefitting, Trades, Shipbuilding)
- SkillBridge with shipbuilders and trade contractors — Newport News (HII), Bath Iron Works, Bollinger, Austal USA, and many union halls run SkillBridge fellowships. Read SkillBridge Resume That Gets You Accepted and Hired.
- AWS Certified Welder (CW) and Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) — American Welding Society credentialing makes you portable across every shipyard, refinery, and structural shop in the country. CWI alone moves welders into $80K-$120K inspection roles.
- UA / Boilermakers / Sheet Metal Workers union locals — United Association (UA) plumbers and pipefitters, Boilermakers, and SMART (sheet metal) all have direct-entry and accelerated apprenticeship programs for veterans. Helmets to Hardhats is the entry point.
- NAVSEA / NAVFAC career portals — The four public shipyards run continuous welder, pipefitter, sheet metal, and machinery hiring through USAJobs.
- NCCER credentialing — National Center for Construction Education and Research certifications are widely recognized in industrial construction. Your A School knowledge maps to NCCER welding and pipefitting modules.
Careers Outside the Field (Operations, Safety, QA, Federal)
- SFL-TAP / Transition Assistance — Mandatory pre-separation. Use the trades-specific track if your TAP office offers it. Read about SFL-TAP.
- USAJobs.gov — Federal application portal. Set up saved searches for WG-3703, WG-4204, WG-3806, WG-5334, and the GS series in this guide.
- OSHA 30-Hour Construction or General Industry — $150-$200, 30 hours, opens construction and industrial safety supervisor roles.
- BCSP CSP / ASP credentials — Board of Certified Safety Professionals' Associate Safety Professional and Certified Safety Professional credentials are the industry gold standard for safety roles.
- VetJobs and Hiring Our Heroes — Veteran-specific job platforms with direct relationships at the major shipbuilders and trades employers.
- American Corporate Partners (ACP) — Free 1:1 mentorship for veterans transitioning into industry roles.
BMR Tools for HTs
- Build your free HT-tailored resume — AI translates SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, plate, brazing, and shipboard piping work into civilian and federal language automatically.
- Military Resume Builder — Full builder with cover letters, LinkedIn optimization, and elevator pitches.
- Federal Resume Builder — USAJobs-formatted resumes for the WG and GS series above.
See Also
- DC Damage Controlman — Closest companion rate; HT and DC work hand-in-hand in repair lockers.
- EM Electrician's Mate — Engineering department crossover for shipyard and federal trades work.
- EO Equipment Operator — Seabee construction trades adjacent to HT plate and pipe work.
- UT Utilitiesman — Seabee plumbing and HVAC, closest pipefitting match in the Navy.
- Coast Guard MK Machinery Technician — Closest cross-branch rate.
- Military to Civilian Highest Paying Jobs in 2026 — Top-end income paths for trades veterans.
Your 30 / 60 / 90-Day Transition Plan
Most veterans do this backwards — they wait until terminal leave to start, then panic. Here's the actual sequence that works.
1Days 0–30
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 HT resume — BMR does it free
- Write 1 strong LinkedIn headline (not "veteran seeking opportunities")
- Pull together your evals/performance reports for accomplishments
2Days 30–60
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
3Days 60–90
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 transition like a 90-day op get hired faster than the ones who treat it like an emergency.
Frequently Asked Questions
What civilian jobs hire former Navy HTs?
The strongest direct paths are private shipbuilders (Newport News / HII, Bath Iron Works / GD, Bollinger, Austal USA, Fincantieri Marinette Marine), federal civilian shipyards (Norfolk, Portsmouth NH, Puget Sound, Pearl Harbor), refineries on the Gulf Coast and West Coast, large industrial contractors (KBR, Amentum, Parsons, Fluor), and union halls (UA pipefitters, Boilermakers, SMART sheet metal). Common civilian titles include industrial welder, pipefitter, sheet metal worker, structural fabricator, boilermaker, plumber, and welding inspector.
How much do HTs make in civilian welding and trades jobs?
BLS May 2024 medians: welder/cutter/solderer/brazer $48,940; pipefitter/steamfitter $61,550; sheet metal worker $58,780; industrial machinery mechanic $61,170; structural metal fabricator $48,650; boilermaker $73,840. These are medians; specialty welders (TIG on stainless or exotic alloys, pipe welders, certified pressure-vessel welders) clear $80K-$120K with overtime. Federal WG-10 welder pay is locality-adjusted and ranges roughly $30-$45/hr depending on shipyard.
Are federal jobs really the strongest path for HTs?
For most HTs, yes. The four public shipyards plus NAVFAC, DLA, and DoD installations hire welders, pipefitters, sheet metal mechanics, and marine machinery mechanics on a continuous basis. The Federal Wage System (FWS) trades pay schedule has dedicated series for every HT skill — WG-3703 Welding, WG-4204 Pipefitting, WG-3806 Sheet Metal Mechanic, WG-5334 Marine Machinery Mechanic, and more. Combined with Veterans' Preference and the union-represented Metal Trades Council, federal trades work is one of the most reliable lanes any military rate has.
What certifications should I get before separating?
AWS Certified Welder for whatever process and position you want to lead with (SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW). AWS CWI (Certified Welding Inspector) is the long-term play for inspection and QA roles paying $80K-$120K. OSHA 30-Hour ($150-$200) is cheap and useful for any industrial role. NCCER credentialing if you're going to non-union industrial construction. EPA 608 if you're moving toward HVAC. Apprentice ratio counts in many states for plumbing licensure, so document every plumbing hour from the Navy.
Is my Secret clearance worth anything as a civilian welder?
Yes, more than most welders realize. Public shipyards, NAVSEA, and major defense contractors prefer cleared welders for nuclear-adjacent work, classified ship repair, and submarine maintenance. An active Secret saves the employer $5K-$15K and 6-9 months of clearance processing. Your clearance stays active for 24 months after separation, and longer if you continue cleared work without a gap.
Can I use my GI Bill for welding certifications or trade school?
Yes. Many welding schools, trade colleges, and apprenticeship programs are GI Bill-eligible. Some union apprenticeships qualify under the on-the-job training (OJT) provisions of the GI Bill, which means you draw GI Bill housing allowance while earning apprenticeship wages. AWS credentialing exam fees are also reimbursable under the GI Bill licensing and certification reimbursement program.
Should I go union or non-union as a civilian welder/pipefitter?
Depends on geography and goals. Union (UA, Boilermakers, SMART, Iron Workers, Operating Engineers) generally pays higher wages, has better benefits, runs structured apprenticeship-to-journeyman tracks, and dominates in the Northeast, West Coast, and major metro areas. Non-union (open-shop) is more common in the South and inland markets, often with faster hiring but lower benefits. Helmets to Hardhats is the standard veteran entry point for union locals — many waive apprenticeship hours for Navy A School and shipboard time.
Do I need a state plumbing license to work as a civilian plumber?
Yes, most states require licensure for plumbing work, and the rules vary widely. Some states will count Navy plumbing time toward apprenticeship hours; others will not. The UA pipefitters union has direct-entry programs that handle the licensure pathway. If you want to work residential plumbing as a self-employed contractor, plan on roughly 4 years of apprenticeship hours plus the journeyman exam in most states. Industrial pipefitting on a refinery or shipyard rarely requires the state plumbing license.
How do I write a federal resume for WG-3703 or WG-4204 positions?
Federal resumes follow specific format requirements: 2 pages target length (modern best practice), every job needs hours-per-week worked, supervisor name and contact, GS or WG-equivalent grade level, and detailed duty descriptions matching the FWS qualification standards. List your A School qualifications, every welding process and position you've passed (SMAW 6G, GTAW 6G, etc.), every shipboard piping system worked, and any C School or NDT training. Use the BMR federal resume builder or read the federal resume blog content for full breakdown.
What if I want to leave the trades entirely?
The career pivots in this guide cover that — operations manager, project manager, safety manager, manufacturing supervisor, and quality assurance roles. The skills are highly transferable; the resume just has to do the translation work. Read Military to Civilian Highest Paying Jobs in 2026 and the Military to Civilian Salary guide for broader options. The HT background is one of the most translatable in the Navy because the work is so visibly skilled — the trick is just finding civilian language for shop foreman, repair locker LPO, and 3M coordinator roles.
Where do most HTs end up after separating?
There's no single dominant path. Significant numbers go to public shipyards (federal trades), private shipbuilders (Newport News, Bath, Bollinger, Austal), refineries and pipelines (Gulf Coast, West Coast), union halls (UA, Boilermakers, SMART), and federal facilities work (NAVFAC). The HTs who struggle most are those who don't translate the work properly — civilian recruiters at non-trade companies don't know what an HT is, but they absolutely know what an industrial welder, structural fabricator, and pipefitter are.
Does BMR support HTs specifically?
Yes. BMR has built more than 55,000 resumes across every Navy rate, including hundreds of HTs. The AI knows SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW, plate work, brazing, sheet metal, fire main, CHT, valve maintenance, and the WG-3703 / WG-4204 / WG-3806 federal series, and translates all of it into civilian or federal language automatically. Free for every veteran — 2 tailored resumes, 2 cover letters, LinkedIn optimization, all included.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. Career data from O*NET OnLine.
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