Information Systems Technician
The civilian and federal jobs that hire Navy Information Systems Technicians — with real salaries and the resume that gets callbacks.
Every IT 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 Information Systems Technicians (IT) install, operate, maintain, and secure the Navy's communication networks and computer systems - from shipboard local area networks running through ISNS (Integrated Shipboard Network System) to the shore-side NMCI (Navy Marine Corps Intranet) enterprise. ITs are the backbone of Navy communications, responsible for everything from NIPR/SIPR/JWICS network administration to SATCOM terminal operations, COMSEC key management, and server infrastructure that keeps the fleet connected worldwide.
IT A School at Corry Station in Pensacola covers a dense 24-week curriculum: Cisco networking (routing, switching, VLANs), Windows Server administration, Active Directory, IA vulnerability management using ACAS scans and STIG compliance checklists, COMSEC procedures, and tactical communications. Many ITs earn CompTIA Security+ during or shortly after A School - it's a DoD 8570/8140 baseline requirement for anyone performing IA functions on DoD networks.
What makes Navy ITs particularly valuable to civilian employers is the scope of their experience. A single deployment can involve managing Windows Server environments for hundreds of users, troubleshooting Cisco switches and routers on classified networks, running ACAS vulnerability scans across the ship's network, maintaining SATCOM links through ADNS (Automated Digital Network System), and serving as the ship's COMSEC custodian - all while standing watch in a 24/7 operations center. That breadth of hands-on experience across networking, cybersecurity, system administration, and communications is difficult to replicate in any civilian training program.
Sat on the federal hiring side after the Navy and Navy ITs are some of the easiest IT hires the federal government can make — the GS-2210 IT Management series at DISA, NAVIFOR, Fleet Cyber Command, and DoD components actively recruits Navy ITs. The cleared enterprise network experience is exactly what federal IT offices need. — 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 ITs transition into one of the strongest civilian job markets in the economy. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects information security analyst employment to grow 33% through 2033 - far faster than average - and the broader IT workforce continues to expand across every industry. Employers actively recruit veterans with active security clearances and hands-on network administration experience because the combination is hard to find in the civilian talent pool.
The salary ceiling is high. According to BLS May 2024 data, network and computer systems administrators earn a median of $96,800 (O*NET 15-1244.00), information security analysts earn $124,910 (15-1212.00), and software developers earn $133,080 (15-1252.00). For ITs who specialize in cybersecurity or cloud architecture, the trajectory goes even higher - computer network architects earn a median of $129,840 (15-1241.00). Even entry-level IT support specialist roles start at a $60,810 median (15-1232.00), which provides a solid foundation while building civilian certifications.
The key differentiator for Navy ITs is operational experience under pressure. Civilian employers can teach someone to configure a Cisco switch in a lab. They cannot easily replicate the experience of troubleshooting a network outage on a deployed warship where the SATCOM link is the ship's only connection to higher headquarters, or managing COMSEC key distribution across a carrier strike group. That real-world pressure-tested experience is what sets Navy ITs apart from candidates with only classroom training or help desk backgrounds.
Civilian Job Title Translations
| Civilian Job Title | Industry | BLS Median Salary | Outlook | Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Network Administrator O*NET: 15-1244.00 | Information Technology / Defense | $96,800 | About as fast as average (3%) | strong |
Systems Administrator O*NET: 15-1244.00 | Information Technology / Defense | $96,800 | About as fast as average (3%) | strong |
IT Support Specialist O*NET: 15-1232.00 | Multiple Industries | $60,810 | Faster than average (6%) | strong |
Cybersecurity Analyst O*NET: 15-1212.00 | IT / Defense / Finance | $124,910 | Much faster than average (33%) | strong |
Cloud Administrator O*NET: 15-1244.00 | IT / Cloud Services | $96,800 | About as fast as average (3%) | moderate |
Help Desk Manager O*NET: 15-1232.00 | Multiple Industries | $60,810 | Faster than average (6%) | moderate |
IT Project Manager O*NET: 13-1082.00 | IT / Defense / Consulting | $100,750 | Faster than average (6%) | moderate |
Network Engineer O*NET: 15-1241.00 | IT / Telecommunications | $129,840 | About as fast as average (3%) | moderate |
Companies That Hire This Background
See a salary you want? Build a resume targeting it.
BMR rewrites your IT 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 IT positions are among the most accessible for Navy ITs, and the GS-2210 (Information Technology Management) series is the most direct match. Federal agencies across the board - not just DoD - need network administrators, cybersecurity analysts, and systems administrators. The Department of Homeland Security, FBI, NSA, CIA, and every military branch's civilian workforce hire into GS-2210 positions, and a Navy IT background with an active clearance significantly shortens the hiring timeline.
Beyond the obvious 2210 series, Navy ITs qualify for GS-0391 (Telecommunications) positions at agencies managing large communications infrastructures, GS-0301 (Miscellaneous Administration) roles at technology-focused organizations, and GS-0343 (Management and Program Analyst) positions where IT program oversight is the primary function. ITs with programming or development experience may also qualify for GS-1550 (Computer Science) positions, though these typically require a degree or equivalent technical coursework.
The real advantage for Navy ITs in federal hiring is the clearance. Processing a TS/SCI clearance from scratch takes 6-12 months and costs the agency significantly. A Navy IT who already holds one - and has recent investigation dates - bypasses that bottleneck entirely. Pair that with Veterans' Preference points and Direct Hire Authority that many agencies use for cybersecurity positions, and federal employment is one of the fastest paths from active duty to a stable career.
GS Series & Position Matches
| GS Series | Federal Job Title | Typical Grades | Match | Explore |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-0390 | Telecommunications Processing | GS-7, GS-9 | View Details → | |
| GS-0382 | Telephone Operating | GS-7, GS-9 | View Details → | |
| GS-0391 | Telecommunications | GS-7, GS-9, GS-11 | View Details → | |
| GS-2210 | Information Technology Management | GS-9, GS-11 | View Details → | |
| GS-0343 | Management and Program Analyst | GS-9, GS-11, GS-12 | View Details → | |
| GS-1550 | Computer Science | GS-7, GS-9, GS-11, GS-12 | 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.
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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.
Air Traffic Controller
Shipboard ITs run round-the-clock comms watches where one missed signal matters, which is the same high-vigilance, zero-error environment air traffic control demands.
Avionics Technician
The electronics troubleshooting and RF know-how an IT builds maintaining shipboard radios and SATCOM transfers cleanly to diagnosing aircraft communication and navigation systems.
Sales Engineer
An IT can walk into a customer's server room and actually understand their problem, which is the technical credibility that closes deals on network gear, secure comms, and SATCOM systems.
Power Plant Operator
Running a shipboard comms or network operations watch is the same discipline a control-room operator uses: watch the boards, catch the anomaly, and act before it cascades.
Telecommunications Equipment Installer and Repairer
The hands-on cabling, antenna, and transmission-equipment work an IT does aboard ship maps directly to installing and repairing carrier and enterprise telecom hardware.
Emergency Management Director
ITs who kept the network alive during casualties and power loss already understand resilience and communications continuity, which is the backbone of disaster and emergency operations.
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 IT companies, defense contractors, or any tech-focused employer, your Navy IT experience largely speaks for itself. They know what NIPR/SIPR means. They understand STIG compliance. They've seen Security+ on a hundred resumes.
This section is for ITs targeting careers outside of information technology - project management, operations, sales, consulting, or any role where the hiring manager has never heard of ACAS scans or COMSEC custodian duties. Below are translations that reframe your IT experience into business language that resonates with non-technical hiring managers. These are not word swaps - they show how to quantify and contextualize your technical experience for an entirely different audience.
Resume Bullet Examples
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BMR turns your IT 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.
Cloud Computing
Cybersecurity
Federal Employment
IT & Networking
Operations Management
Project Management
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 Information Technology
SkillBridge Programs: Major defense contractors and IT companies participate in DOD SkillBridge, allowing Navy ITs to work civilian IT jobs during their last 180 days of service. Companies like Booz Allen Hamilton, ManTech, Leidos, and Amazon Web Services have historically offered SkillBridge positions. Search the SkillBridge database for current openings in cybersecurity, network engineering, and cloud administration.
Certification Strategy: If you earned Security+ in the Navy, you already meet the DoD 8570/8140 IAT Level II baseline. Next steps depend on your target role: for cybersecurity, pursue CISSP or CompTIA CySA+. For cloud, target AWS Solutions Architect or Azure Administrator. For networking, the CCNP builds on any Cisco experience from the fleet. GI Bill covers many of these certification programs.
Industry Associations: Join ISACA for cybersecurity and IT governance networking, and CompTIA for ongoing certification pathways and career resources. Both offer student/veteran discounts.
For Careers Outside of IT
Project Management: The PMP certification (PMI) is the gold standard. Navy ITs who managed network upgrade projects, migration rollouts, or communications installations likely have enough documented project hours to qualify. Cost: ~$555 (PMI member) for the exam. Many employers will reimburse.
Technical Sales: IT companies (Cisco, Palo Alto Networks, CrowdStrike) hire technical sales engineers who can speak the language of the customer. Your hands-on experience with the products gives you credibility that pure sales reps lack. Start with a Sales Development Rep (SDR) role at a tech company - many have veteran hiring programs.
Federal Employment (USAJobs): Create your USAJobs profile 6 months before separation. Key agencies for ITs: DHS/CISA, NSA, FBI, DISA, Fleet Cyber Command civilian workforce, and every DoD component. Federal resumes are 2 pages max - not the myth you 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. For tech-specific networking, Vets Who Code offers free software engineering training.
Clearance Leverage: An active TS/SCI clearance saves employers $5,000-15,000+ and months of processing time. Sites like ClearanceJobs.com list positions specifically requiring active clearances. Your clearance stays active for up to 24 months after separation - start your job search before it lapses.
Education Benefits: Don't use your GI Bill on a degree if certifications will get you hired faster in your target field. Many IT certifications (CISSP, CCNP, AWS, PMP) deliver faster ROI than a 4-year degree. Check with the GI Bill Comparison Tool to verify program approval before enrolling anywhere.
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 IT 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 civilian IT certifications should I get before separating from the Navy?
What is the salary range for former Navy ITs in the civilian sector?
What if I want to leave IT entirely?
How do I explain Navy IT experience in a non-tech job interview?
Is my security clearance valuable outside the military?
Should I use my GI Bill for a degree or certifications?
How does Veterans' Preference work for federal IT positions?
Where are the best job markets for former Navy ITs?
Can I start job searching while still on active duty?
Do I need a college degree to get hired in civilian IT?
Translate your IT Information Systems 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.