Army · 15A
Your Aviation Officer experience maps to civilian jobs like Commercial Pilots and Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers—and well beyond. Explore the specific roles below, see what each pays and requires, and build from there.
These are the civilian jobs the U.S. Department of Labor maps to 15A, plus the roles most closely related to them—ordered from the closest match. Think of them as a floor, not a ceiling: see what each role involves and pays, start where your Aviation Officer experience already fits, and build toward the rest.
$113,080/yr median~53K U.S. jobs
★ Bright Outlook — Rapid growth
Typical entry: Associate degree, apprenticeship, or vocational training
Pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing aircraft on nonscheduled air carrier routes, or helicopters.
Why it fits: A direct Department of Labor match—your Aviation Officer work maps straight onto the aviation & aircraft side of this role.
$219,140/yr median~94K U.S. jobs
Typical entry: Bachelor’s degree typically expected
Pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing aircraft, usually on scheduled air carrier routes, for the transport of passengers and cargo.
Why it fits: A direct Department of Labor match—your Aviation Officer work maps straight onto the aviation & aircraft side of this role.
$137,380/yr mediantypical $76k–$201k~22K U.S. jobs
Typical entry: Associate degree, apprenticeship, or vocational training
Control air traffic on and within vicinity of airport, and movement of air traffic between altitude sectors and control centers, according to established procedures and policies.
Why it fits: Closely related to your Aviation Officer occupations on the aviation & aircraft side—a natural next step.
$51,140/yr mediantypical $34k–$107k~18K U.S. jobs
Typical entry: Associate degree, apprenticeship, or vocational training
Ensure the safe takeoff and landing of commercial and military aircraft.
Why it fits: Closely related to your Aviation Officer occupations on the aviation & aircraft side—a natural next step.
$87,290/yr mediantypical $40k–$129k~28K U.S. jobs
Typical entry: Associate degree, apprenticeship, or vocational training
Inspect aircraft, maintenance procedures, air navigational aids, air traffic controls, and communications equipment to ensure conformance with Federal safety regulations.
Why it fits: Closely related to your Aviation Officer occupations on the transportation & logistics side—a natural next step.
$74,770/yr mediantypical $59k–$93k~32K U.S. jobs
Typical entry: High-school diploma plus short on-the-job training
Drive electric, diesel-electric, steam, or gas-turbine-electric locomotives to transport passengers or freight.
Why it fits: Closely related to your Aviation Officer occupations on the transportation & logistics side—a natural next step.
$75,020/yr mediantypical $46k–$115k~138K U.S. jobs
Typical entry: Associate degree, apprenticeship, or vocational training
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
Why it fits: Closely related to your Aviation Officer occupations on the aviation & aircraft side—a natural next step.
$39,110/yr mediantypical $32k–$54k~25K U.S. jobs
★ Bright Outlook — Rapid growth
Typical entry: High-school diploma plus short on-the-job training
Service aircraft with fuel. May de-ice aircraft, refill water and cooling agents, empty sewage tanks, service air and oxygen systems, or clean and polish exterior.
Why it fits: Closely related to your Aviation Officer occupations on the transportation & logistics side—a natural next step.
Source: O*NET / DMDC Military Crosswalk and O*NET related-occupations data, August 2024. Pay is BLS OEWS (May 2023).
Use the level that reflects what you actually did—not rank alone. Two people with the same code and very different experience should not submit the same résumé.
Translate planning, technical judgment, briefings, team leadership, and the people and resources you were accountable for.
Emphasize programs, budgets, cross-functional organizations, policy, risk ownership, and measurable operational outcomes.
Target director, program, operations, and public-sector leadership roles that match your actual scope.
A translated title isn't enough. These four moves turn Aviation Officer experience into evidence a civilian hiring manager can act on.
List the systems, vehicles, equipment, and tools you personally operated as Aviation Officer—plus qualifications, certifications, and the recurring high-stakes tasks you owned.
Soldiers led, dollar value of equipment you were accountable for, workload, readiness rates, and safety or quality outcomes. Scope beats adjectives.
For any target role, name the license, degree, or software it requires and start now—your GI Bill and credentialing assistance can cover most of it.
Recruiters rarely search “15A.” Search job boards by the equipment, skills, and outcomes above as much as by “Aviation Officer.”
You don't have to make this jump alone. These programs exist specifically to move service members into civilian careers—most are free, and several pay you while you train.
Train or intern with a civilian employer during your last ~180 days on active duty—at full military pay.
Earn a paycheck while you train for a trade or technical role; USMAP can credit the military training you already have.
Corporate fellowships and hiring events that place transitioning service members and military spouses.
Free career training and nationally recognized certifications for service members, veterans, and spouses.
VA-funded high-tech training (IT, cyber, data, software) that does not touch your GI Bill entitlement.
Free local career centers plus certification and state-by-state license finders for any field.
Logistics, operations, and driver pathways that actively recruit veterans.
How to use this: Treat these as targets, not limits. Your exact duties depend on your assignments, so lead with what you actually did—and remember that regulated careers require their own license, certification, or degree.