Navy · IT
Navy Information Systems Technicians run the Navy’s networks and communications—administration, security, and troubleshooting. That transfers directly to civilian networking, systems administration, cybersecurity, and IT-support careers.
These are the civilian jobs the U.S. Department of Labor maps to IT, 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 Information Systems Technician experience already fits, and build toward the rest.
$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: A direct Department of Labor match—your Information Systems Technician work maps straight onto the it, cybersecurity & data side of this role.
$45,760/yr mediantypical $33k–$66k~78K U.S. jobs
Typical entry: Associate degree, apprenticeship, or vocational training
Repair, maintain, or install computers, word processing systems, automated teller machines, and electronic office machines, such as duplicating and fax machines.
Why it fits: A direct Department of Labor match—your Information Systems Technician work maps straight onto the maintenance, repair & installation side of this role.
$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: Closely related to your Information Systems Technician 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
Develop and oversee the implementation of information security procedures and policies.
Why it fits: Closely related to your Information Systems Technician 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 Information Systems Technician 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 Information Systems Technician occupations on the it, cybersecurity & data side—a natural next step.
$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: Closely related to your Information Systems Technician occupations on the it, cybersecurity & data side—a natural next step.
$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: Closely related to your Information Systems Technician occupations on the it, cybersecurity & data 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.
$95,360/yr medianNetwork and Computer Systems Administrators (representative)
Why it fits: Configuration and uptime responsibilities map directly to network roles.
What it takes: Network+/CCNA-level knowledge validates skills.
Explore this route →$95,360/yr medianNetwork and Computer Systems Administrators (representative)
Why it fits: Server, account, and system management transfer to sysadmin roles.
What it takes: CompTIA/vendor certs; document platforms.
Explore this route →$120,360/yr medianInformation Security Analysts (representative)
Why it fits: Security and monitoring discipline support cyber pathways.
What it takes: Security+ is a common bridge; clearance is an asset.
Explore this route →$95,360/yr medianNetwork and Computer Systems Administrators (representative)
Why it fits: Troubleshooting and user support transfer to IT support roles.
What it takes: CompTIA A+.
Explore this route →$95,360/yr medianNetwork and Computer Systems Administrators (representative)
Why it fits: Systems and uptime experience support cloud and data-center roles.
What it takes: Cloud certs (AWS/Azure) help.
Explore this route →Why it fits: Network experience supports 2210-series roles.
What it takes: Mirror the vacancy; clearance is an asset.
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 hands-on tasks, tools, equipment, qualifications, safety discipline, and the conditions in which you performed. Do not inflate supervisory scope.
Add team leadership, training, inspections, work allocation, quality control, readiness, and the people or assets you directly supervised.
Emphasize multi-team operations, schedules, resource forecasting, safety systems, policy enforcement, advising leaders, and organization-level results.
A translated title isn't enough. These four moves turn Information Systems Technician experience into evidence a civilian hiring manager can act on.
List the systems, vehicles, equipment, and tools you personally operated as Information Systems Technician—plus qualifications, certifications, and the recurring high-stakes tasks you owned.
Sailors 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 “IT.” Search job boards by the equipment, skills, and outcomes above as much as by “Information Systems Technician.”
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.