Army · 15W
UAS operators plan and fly unmanned aircraft, run sensors and payloads, analyze imagery, and manage mission data. That maps to the fast-growing commercial drone industry plus geospatial/imagery analysis, aviation operations, and data directions.
These are the civilian jobs the U.S. Department of Labor maps to 15W, 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 Unmanned Aircraft Systems experience already fits, and build toward the rest.
$65,080/yr mediantypical $44k–$105k~15K U.S. jobs
Typical entry: Associate degree, apprenticeship, or vocational training
Operate, test, maintain, or adjust unmanned, automated, servomechanical, or electromechanical equipment.
Why it fits: A direct Department of Labor match—your Unmanned Aircraft Systems work maps straight onto the engineering & technical design side of this role.
$77,830/yr mediantypical $50k–$114k~11K U.S. jobs
★ Bright Outlook — Rapid growth
Typical entry: Associate degree, apprenticeship, or vocational training
Operate, install, adjust, and maintain integrated computer/communications systems, consoles, simulators, and other data acquisition, test, and measurement instruments and equipment, which are used…
Why it fits: Closely related to your Unmanned Aircraft Systems occupations on the engineering & technical design side—a natural next step.
$77,420/yr mediantypical $47k–$107k~21K U.S. jobs
★ Bright Outlook — Rapid growth
Typical entry: Associate degree, apprenticeship, or vocational training
Install, inspect, test, adjust, or repair avionics equipment, such as radar, radio, navigation, and missile control systems in aircraft or space vehicles.
Why it fits: Closely related to your Unmanned Aircraft Systems occupations on the maintenance, repair & installation side—a natural next step.
$65,080/yr mediantypical $44k–$105k~15K U.S. jobs
Typical entry: Associate degree, apprenticeship, or vocational training
Build, install, test, or maintain robotic equipment or related automated production systems.
Why it fits: Closely related to your Unmanned Aircraft Systems occupations on the engineering & technical design side—a natural next step.
$62,790/yr mediantypical $42k–$101k~13K U.S. jobs
★ Bright Outlook — Rapid growth
Typical entry: Associate degree, apprenticeship, or vocational training
Execute or adapt procedures and techniques for calibrating measurement devices, by applying knowledge of measurement science, mathematics, physics, chemistry, and electronics, sometimes under the…
Why it fits: Closely related to your Unmanned Aircraft Systems occupations on the engineering & technical design side—a natural next step.
$72,800/yr mediantypical $46k–$105k~97K U.S. jobs
Typical entry: Associate degree, apprenticeship, or vocational training
Apply electrical and electronic theory and related knowledge, usually under the direction of engineering staff, to design, build, repair, adjust, and modify electrical components, circuitry,…
Why it fits: Closely related to your Unmanned Aircraft Systems occupations on the engineering & technical design side—a natural next step.
$66,680/yr mediantypical $42k–$101k~58K U.S. jobs
Typical entry: Associate degree, apprenticeship, or vocational training
Repair, test, adjust, or install electronic equipment, such as industrial controls, transmitters, and antennas.
Why it fits: Closely related to your Unmanned Aircraft Systems occupations on the maintenance, repair & installation 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).
Adjacent and stretch fields where your experience gives you a credible starting point.
$137,380/yr medianAir Traffic Controllers (representative)
Why it fits: UAS flight experience transfers to commercial drone operations (inspection, survey, media).
What it takes: FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate is required.
Explore this route →$108,020/yr medianData Scientists (representative)
Why it fits: Imagery and FMV analysis map to GIS and imagery roles.
What it takes: Learn civilian GIS/imagery tools.
Explore this route →$137,380/yr medianAir Traffic Controllers (representative)
Why it fits: Mission planning and coordination support UAS program operations.
What it takes: Document platforms and mission types.
Explore this route →$91,100/yr medianDetectives and Criminal Investigators (representative)
Why it fits: Collection and analysis support ISR roles.
What it takes: A clearance is an asset.
Explore this route →$108,020/yr medianData Scientists (representative)
Why it fits: Mission data and reporting provide an analytics foundation.
What it takes: Add Excel, SQL, and visualization.
Explore this route →Why it fits: UAS experience supports federal aviation and technical series.
What it takes: Target the specialized experience.
Explore this route →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.
Lead with platforms flown, hours, payloads, and Part 107 status.
Add mission leadership, training, and analysis outcomes.
Emphasize UAS operations, planning, and program leadership.
A translated title isn't enough. These four moves turn Unmanned Aircraft Systems experience into evidence a civilian hiring manager can act on.
List the systems, vehicles, equipment, and tools you personally operated as Unmanned Aircraft Systems—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 “15W.” Search job boards by the equipment, skills, and outcomes above as much as by “Unmanned Aircraft Systems.”
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.
Free placement into registered apprenticeships across the building and construction trades.
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.