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6031 Career Guide

Marine Corps

6031: Aircraft Maintenance Technician

Career transition guide for Marine Corps Aircraft Maintenance Technician (6031)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 6031 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Aircraft Mechanic/Technician

$75K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificationSpecific experience on civilian aircraft types (e.g., Boeing, Airbus)

Aerospace Engineer

$120K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace EngineeringCAD software proficiency (e.g., CATIA, SolidWorks)FEA (Finite Element Analysis)

Avionics Technician

$78K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

FCC license (for radio communications)Specific avionics systems certifications (e.g., Garmin, Collins)Advanced troubleshooting techniques

Wind Turbine Technician

$60K
Moderate matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Wind turbine safety certification (e.g., GWO)Climbing and rescue trainingElectrical troubleshooting skills

Maintenance Manager

$95K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Project management certification (e.g., PMP)Lean Six Sigma certificationExperience with maintenance management software (CMMS)

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 6031 training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

As an aircraft maintenance technician, you develop a deep understanding of how aircraft systems function and interact, allowing you to diagnose and troubleshoot complex issues.

This ability to understand and model complex systems translates to fields like engineering, where you can design and analyze systems, or in data science, where you can build predictive models.

Procedural Compliance

Aircraft maintenance requires strict adherence to detailed procedures and regulations to ensure safety and operational readiness.

Your commitment to following protocols makes you well-suited for roles in highly regulated industries such as healthcare, finance, or quality assurance, where precision and consistency are paramount.

Degraded-Mode Operations

You are trained to troubleshoot and repair aircraft systems under pressure, often in challenging environments with limited resources, requiring you to adapt and find solutions when things don't go as planned.

This adaptability and problem-solving ability are highly valuable in crisis management, emergency response, or even in startup environments where you'll need to overcome unexpected obstacles.

Situational Awareness

Maintaining awareness of the overall operational environment and the status of aircraft systems is critical for preventing accidents and ensuring mission success.

This heightened awareness translates well into roles requiring vigilance and quick decision-making, such as air traffic control, security management, or logistics coordination.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Wind Turbine Technician

SOC 49-9099.01

You've been working with complex mechanical and electrical systems on aircraft. Wind turbines share many of these principles, and your troubleshooting skills will be invaluable in maintaining and repairing these renewable energy systems.

Robotics Technician

SOC 49-9062.00

You're skilled at diagnosing and repairing sophisticated machinery. Robotics involves intricate electromechanical systems, and your expertise in maintenance procedures and system analysis will be directly applicable.

Industrial Machinery Mechanic

SOC 49-9041.00

You've honed your skills maintaining complex aviation systems. As an industrial machinery mechanic, you'll apply that expertise to keep factories and production lines running smoothly. Your understanding of mechanical systems, hydraulics, and pneumatics will be a major asset.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Aviation Maintenance Administration School, Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL

900 training hours24 weeksUp to 28 semester hours in aviation maintenance technology.

Topics Covered

  • Basic Electricity and Electronics
  • Aircraft Hydraulic Systems
  • Aircraft Engines (Turbine and Reciprocating)
  • Airframe Structures and Repair
  • Corrosion Control and Prevention
  • Basic Aerodynamics
  • Weight and Balance Calculations
  • Non-Destructive Inspection Techniques

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Mechanic70% covered

While military training covers many aspects of aircraft maintenance, FAA regulations and specific civilian aircraft systems require additional study. Focus on FAR Part 66 regulations, reciprocating engine theory (if primarily turbine experience), and specific airframe systems not covered in military training.

Certified Aviation Manager (CAM)30% covered

The CAM certification focuses on aviation business management. Study financial management, risk management, human resources, and marketing as they apply to aviation operations.

Recommended Next Certifications

Inspection Authorization (IA)Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) certifications (e.g., ASNT)Bachelor's Degree in Aviation Maintenance ManagementProject Management Professional (PMP)

Technical Systems Translation

Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Joint Technical Data Integration (JTDI)SAFRAN Cassiopée, Boeing Toolbox
Naval Aviation Logistics Command Management Information System (NALCOMIS)Maintenix, Trax, or OASES
Advanced Automated Test Equipment (AATE)Automated Test Equipment (ATE) systems from companies like Keysight Technologies or National Instruments
Consolidated Automated Support System (CASS)ATE equivalents from Teradyne or Advantest
Common Aviation Support Equipment (CASE)Commercial aviation GSE from companies like JBT Corporation or Textron GSE
Oil Analysis Program (JOAP)Spectro Scientific fluid analysis systems, Bureau Veritas oil condition monitoring services

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