Avionics Technician
$75KHigh match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) license
- — Specific aircraft type certifications
Live · Guide v1.094L · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262027 Cohort · Applications Open
ARMY · 94LCareer Guide · IT · Comms · VWC.CG.94L.R.04
94L · ARMY · EnlistedAvionics Communications Equipment
Avionics Communications Equipment
Repairer.
Army 94L (Avionics Communications Equipment Repairer). 680 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $60K–$85K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours680DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 9 semester hours in electronics and avionics maintenance (estimated)
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage2/5direct + partial
This career guide was generated using AI analysis of military job code data. Salary figures, certification coverage percentages, and career matches are estimates — verify with official sources before making career decisions.
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 94L background maps to — picked from BLS-anchored occupations using your training, cognitive skills, and systems experience.
Sort · Match descending
/ 02 · Skill Bridge
The gap, named.
What 94L training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have05
- 01Troubleshooting and repair of aircraft communication equipment→ Troubleshooting and debugging code or infrastructure issues
- 02System Modeling→ Designing, testing, and troubleshooting complex systems
- 03Rapid Prioritization→ Quickly analyzing competing demands and identifying critical tasks
- 04Managing maintenance facilities→ Overseeing and coordinating technical operations.
- 05Procedural Compliance→ Ability to work within structured environments and ensure processes are followed
To learn07
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Linux system administration+Cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud)+Scripting languages (Python or Bash)+Networking fundamentals+Security tools and technologies (SIEM, firewalls, intrusion detection systems)+Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)+Software development methodologies (e.g., Agile, Scrum)
How VWC fits
Vets Who Code is a free, remote-first software engineering accelerator for veterans, active duty, and military spouses. We close the fundamentals — terminal, web platform, AI tooling, portfolio projects — so the rest of this list becomes specialization, not square one.
See VWC Programs →/ 03 · Civilian Pathways
Where your code lands.
Electronics Technician
$65KHigh match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Associate's degree in Electronics Technology
- — IPC certification
Telecommunications Equipment Installer and Repairer
$60KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Fiber optic splicing certification
- — Knowledge of networking protocols
- — Vendor-specific equipment training
Field Service Technician
$68KGood match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — Strong customer service skills
- — Specific equipment certifications (e.g., medical, industrial)
- — Valid driver's license
Maintenance Manager
$85KModerate match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Project management certification (PMP)
- — Bachelor's degree in management or related field
- — Experience with specific industry regulations (e.g., OSHA)
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 94L training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
System Modeling
As a 94L, you develop a deep understanding of how aircraft communication systems function as a whole. You diagnose and repair faults by mentally mapping the flow of signals and power, predicting how changes in one component will affect the entire system.
Transfers to
This ability to understand and predict system behavior translates directly into designing, testing, and troubleshooting complex systems in the civilian world. You excel at visualizing how different parts interact and identifying potential points of failure.
Procedural Compliance
Your work as a 94L demands strict adherence to technical manuals, safety regulations, and maintenance procedures. You understand the importance of following established protocols to ensure accuracy, safety, and the reliability of critical communication systems.
Transfers to
Your ingrained understanding of procedural compliance is highly valued in industries where safety and precision are paramount. You're comfortable working within structured environments and ensuring that all processes are followed correctly.
Rapid Prioritization
In high-pressure situations, you're skilled at assessing the urgency of repairs and prioritizing tasks based on operational needs. You can quickly determine which communication systems are most critical to mission success and allocate resources accordingly.
Transfers to
This ability to prioritize effectively is essential in any fast-paced environment. You're able to quickly analyze competing demands, identify the most critical tasks, and allocate resources to achieve the best possible outcome.
Team Synchronization
Often, you collaborated with other technicians and specialists to maintain complex communication systems. You are able to coordinate your efforts, share information, and work together efficiently to achieve common goals.
Transfers to
Your ability to work seamlessly with others makes you an invaluable asset to any team. You are skilled at communicating effectively, coordinating tasks, and building consensus to achieve shared objectives.
/ 05 · Non-Obvious Matches
Roles the recruiter won't suggest.
Adjacent civilian roles your training maps to that conventional military-to-civilian advice tends to miss.
Wind Turbine Technician
SOC 49-9086You've been working with complex electronic systems, troubleshooting, and maintaining them under pressure. Wind turbines are packed with similar tech, and your skills in diagnostics, repair, and safety are a perfect fit.
Adjacent · MatchIndustrial Machinery Mechanic
SOC 49-9041Your expertise in diagnosing and repairing aircraft communication equipment directly translates to maintaining complex industrial machinery. You're adept at troubleshooting mechanical and electrical problems, ensuring smooth operations and preventing costly downtime.
Adjacent · MatchAvionics Technician (Civilian)
SOC 49-2091You've got the foundational knowledge of aircraft electronics already! Transitioning to civilian aviation means using your skills on commercial or private aircraft, with the potential for further specialization and advancement.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
94L AIT
Fort Gordon, GA680hHours
17wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 9 semester hours in electronics and avionics maintenance (estimated)
Topics · 8
- Basic electronics theory and application
- Use of TMDE (Test, Measurement, and Diagnostic Equipment)
- Avionics communication systems theory
- Troubleshooting and repair of aircraft communication equipment (radios, navigation systems, etc.)
- Use of Interactive Electronic Technical Manuals (IETMs)
- Maintenance procedures and documentation
- COMSEC procedures for communication security equipment
- Preventive maintenance checks and services (PMCS)
Partial coverage · 2
- Certified Electronics Technician (CET)70%
Requires study of general electronics theory, troubleshooting techniques outside of military-specific equipment, and industry best practices. Also requires passing an exam.
- CompTIA Network+40%
Requires studying networking concepts, protocols, and security practices that are not explicitly covered in aircraft communications maintenance. Focus on OSI model, TCP/IP, subnetting, routing, and network security.
Recommended next · 03
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)Adjacent
- Project Management Professional (PMP)Adjacent
- Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM)Adjacent
/ 07 · Systems Translation
What you ran, in their words.
Military systems you operated and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent | Domain |
|---|---|---|
| AN/ARC-231 Skyfire Radio | Commercial aviation VHF/UHF radios | Operations |
| AN/PRC-117G Multiband Manpack Radio | Motorola APX series P25 radios | Operations |
| AN/VRC-103 Vehicular Radio System | Kenwood Viking series mobile radios | Operations |
| Integrated Family of Test Equipment (IFTE) | Automated Test Equipment (ATE) platforms from companies like Keysight or National Instruments | Operations |
| Standard Army Maintenance System-Enhanced (SAMS-E) | Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) software like IBM Maximo or SAP Plant Maintenance | Operations |
| Prophet Enhanced | Signals intelligence (SIGINT) analysis platforms like those from Palantir or BAE Systems | Operations |
| Communication Security (COMSEC) equipment (e.g., KG-250) | Hardware Security Modules (HSMs) from Thales or Gemalto | Networking |
Cohort 2027 · Intake Open
Ship 94L into a software engineering career.
The pathways above are the destination. Vets Who Code is the route: a free, remote-first software engineering accelerator for active duty, veterans, and military spouses. 17 weeks at 20–30 hours a week, and a body of work that ships.