Army · 25B
IT specialists install, configure, and maintain networks and systems, provide user support, and apply information-assurance basics. This is a strong, direct on-ramp to civilian IT: help desk, systems and network administration, cybersecurity, and federal IT, with recognized certification bridges.
The federal crosswalk lists only a broad “Computer Occupations, All Other” bucket for 25B—so here are the specific civilian roles IT Specialist experience genuinely maps to. See what each involves, what it pays, and why it fits.
$95,360/yr mediantypical $59k–$149k~323K U.S. jobs
Typical entry: Bachelor’s degree typically expected
Install, configure, and maintain an organization's local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), data communications network, operating systems, and physical and virtual servers.
Why it fits: Administering networks and systems transfers directly.
$120,360/yr mediantypical $69k–$182k~175K U.S. jobs
★ Bright Outlook — Rapid growth
Typical entry: Bachelor’s degree typically expected
Plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information.
Why it fits: Security operations map to information security analysis.
$71,530/yr mediantypical $46k–$122k~159K U.S. jobs
Typical entry: Bachelor’s degree typically expected
Analyze, test, troubleshoot, and evaluate existing network systems, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), cloud networks, servers, and other data communications networks.
Why it fits: User and network support transfer directly.
$103,800/yr mediantypical $63k–$166k~499K U.S. jobs
★ Bright Outlook — Rapid growth
Typical entry: Associate degree, apprenticeship, or vocational training
Analyze science, engineering, business, and other data processing problems to develop and implement solutions to complex applications problems, system administration issues, or network concerns.
Why it fits: Requirements and systems work map to systems analysis.
$129,840/yr mediantypical $78k–$195k~174K U.S. jobs
★ Bright Outlook — Rapid growth
Typical entry: Bachelor’s degree typically expected
Design and implement computer and information networks, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), intranets, extranets, and other data communications networks.
Why it fits: Network design supports network architecture.
$104,920/yr mediantypical $50k–$174k~437K U.S. jobs
★ Bright Outlook — Rapid growth; New and Emerging
Typical entry: Bachelor’s degree typically expected
Develop and oversee the implementation of information security procedures and policies.
Why it fits: Closely related to your IT Specialist occupations on the it, cybersecurity & data side—a natural next step.
$132,270/yr mediantypical $77k–$209k~1.7M U.S. jobs
★ Bright Outlook — Rapid growth; many openings
Typical entry: Bachelor’s degree typically expected
Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs.
Why it fits: Closely related to your IT Specialist occupations on the it, cybersecurity & data side—a natural next step.
$101,510/yr mediantypical $54k–$158k~76K U.S. jobs
Typical entry: Bachelor’s degree typically expected
Administer, test, and implement computer databases, applying knowledge of database management systems.
Why it fits: Closely related to your IT Specialist occupations on the it, cybersecurity & data side—a natural next step.
$104,920/yr mediantypical $50k–$174k~437K U.S. jobs
★ Bright Outlook — Rapid growth; New and Emerging
Typical entry: Bachelor’s degree typically expected
Evaluate network system security by conducting simulated internal and external cyberattacks using adversary tools and techniques.
Why it fits: Closely related to your IT Specialist occupations on the it, cybersecurity & data side—a natural next step.
$104,920/yr mediantypical $50k–$174k~437K U.S. jobs
★ Bright Outlook — Rapid growth; New and Emerging
Typical entry: Bachelor’s degree typically expected
Conduct investigations on computer-based crimes establishing documentary or physical evidence, such as digital media and logs associated with cyber intrusion incidents.
Why it fits: Closely related to your IT Specialist occupations on the it, cybersecurity & data side—a natural next step.
$59,240/yr mediantypical $38k–$97k~690K U.S. jobs
Typical entry: Associate degree, apprenticeship, or vocational training
Provide technical assistance to computer users. Answer questions or resolve computer problems for clients in person, via telephone, or electronically. May provide assistance concerning the use of…
Why it fits: Closely related to your IT Specialist occupations on the it, cybersecurity & data side—a natural next step.
Roles selected from the O*NET occupations that fit IT Specialist experience; the Department of Labor's own crosswalk lists only the broad “Computer Occupations, All Other” category for this code. Pay is BLS OEWS (May 2023). See the O*NET crosswalk.
Adjacent and stretch fields where your experience gives you a credible starting point.
$95,360/yr medianNetwork and Computer Systems Administrators (representative)
Why it fits: Help-desk and systems work transfer directly to civilian IT roles.
What it takes: CompTIA A+/Network+ validate current skills.
Explore this route →$95,360/yr medianNetwork and Computer Systems Administrators (representative)
Why it fits: Network configuration and uptime responsibilities map to network admin roles.
What it takes: Network+/CCNA-level knowledge helps.
Explore this route →$120,360/yr medianInformation Security Analysts (representative)
Why it fits: Access control and information-assurance experience support cyber pathways.
What it takes: Security+ is a common bridge; role eligibility varies.
Explore this route →Why it fits: Military IT experience can support 2210-series roles when specialized experience is met.
What it takes: Mirror the vacancy questionnaire; a clearance is an asset.
Explore this route →$95,360/yr medianNetwork and Computer Systems Administrators (representative)
Why it fits: Monitoring, fault isolation, and documentation map to NOC roles.
What it takes: Document protocols, platforms, and scale.
Explore this route →$108,020/yr medianData Scientists (representative)
Why it fits: Logs, reporting, and systems metrics provide an analytics foundation.
What it takes: Add Excel, SQL, and visualization.
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 systems supported, tickets/incidents, tools, certifications, and uptime.
Add team leadership, project support, training, and the systems/scale you managed.
Emphasize IT operations, planning, security posture, and organization-level results.
A translated title isn't enough. These four moves turn IT Specialist experience into evidence a civilian hiring manager can act on.
List the systems, vehicles, equipment, and tools you personally operated as IT Specialist—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 “25B.” Search job boards by the equipment, skills, and outcomes above as much as by “IT Specialist.”
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.
17-week tech training (cloud, cyber, development) with a built-in hiring network.
Scholarship cybersecurity training and industry certifications for veterans.
Free tech education, entrepreneurship, and employment programs.
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.