This guide provides helpful information for those looking into joining the Navy as an Aviation Electrician’s Mate (AE) during Fiscal Year 2025.
Navy aircraft have some of the most advanced electrical systems in the world. As an Aviation Electrician’s Mate (AE), you’re the one keeping those systems running.
Pilots and aircrew depend on your work—whether you’re troubleshooting a landing gear circuit or installing a new cockpit display. Every wire, every connection, it all has to be right.
If you’re ready to learn about this job, let’s go.
Job Description
Aviation Electrician’s Mates (AE) are Navy enlisted Sailors who maintain the aircraft’s electrical and instrument systems, including the hydraulic, landing gear, flight control, utility, and power plant engines, as well as the aircraft’s batteries, interior and exterior lighting, automatic flight control and stabilization systems, aircraft compass systems, and attitude reference systems.
Aviation Electronic, Electrical, and Computer systems professionals repair a wide range of aircraft electrical and electronic systems using some of the most advanced electronics equipment in the world.
Repair jobs can range from troubleshooting an F/A18 Hornet’s computer-controlled weapon system aboard an aircraft carrier’s flight deck to swapping circuit cards or tracing electrical wiring diagrams in an air-conditioned shop.
Most of these specialists have been trained in computers to support innovative equipment or in power generators and power distribution systems to assist aircraft electrical systems.
These Sailors are required to complete a general training course in basic electronics, following which they are evaluated to determine whether they should receive the Aviation Electrician (AE) rating or the Aviation Electronics Technician (AT) rating.
Whether assigned to AE or AT, the Sailor will troubleshoot and repairing a variety of advanced electronic systems, including digital computers; fiber optics; infrared detection; radar systems; electricity generation systems; laser electronics; navigation systems; communications equipment; electrical power distribution; pressure indication systems; electric transformers and circuits; testing aircraft instruments and systems; and electric transformers and circuits.
In this field, AEs will have jobs at sea and on land all over the world. At different times, they could work at an aircraft squadron on land or on an aircraft carrier. They could be inside or outside, in a shop or an office, at a clean lab bench or in a garage-like setting. They work closely with other people, need little supervision, and do technical mental and physical work.
Specific Responsibilities
AE Sailors oversee maintaining, testing, troubleshooting, and fixing complex electrical and electronic systems and instruments by using the latest test equipment and procedures. You may work on the following kinds of systems:
- Generators, transformers, and power distribution
- Lighting inside and outside
- Batteries, hydraulics, landing gear, and flight controls make up an airplane.
- Control, stabilization, attitude, and compass systems that work automatically
- Navigation systems for planes and ships
- Power plant engines
- Systems for showing and warning
- Computers with digital parts and fiber optics
- Using infrared and radar
- Laser electronics
- Communications equipment
- Transformers and circuits for electric power
- Motors
Different Roles
Aviation Electrician’s Mate Intermediate Level Technician
- Intermediate-level Aviation Electrician’s Mate Technicians talk to Production Control and Quality Assurance work centers and follow the Naval Aviation Maintenance Program (NAMP).
- They maintain and check a wide range of equipment, such as:
- Electrical and electronic parts
- Batteries
- Inertial navigation units
- Test sets and electronic module test consoles
- Aircraft instruments
- Generators and generator power distribution equipment
- Night vision goggles
- Technicians are also in charge of troubleshooting systems. They use critical thinking and deductive reasoning to figure out what electrical and electronic circuit schematics mean.
Aviation Electrician’s Mate Organizational Level Technician
- Technicians at the Aviation Electrician’s Mate Organizational Level talk to Maintenance Control and Quality Assurance work centers and follow the Naval Aviation Maintenance Program (NAMP).
- They check, fix, troubleshoot, and maintain a wide range of electrical and electronic equipment, such as:
- Aircraft electrical systems
- Aircraft instrumentation equipment
- Equipment related to aircraft power plants
- Equipment related to aircraft airframes
- Technicians also troubleshoot systems by using critical thinking and deductive reasoning to figure out what electrical and electronic circuit schematics mean.
Rank Structure
Pay Grade | Rate | Abbreviation | Title |
---|---|---|---|
E-1 | Airman Recruit | AR | Airman Recruit |
E-2 | Airman Apprentice | AA | Airman Apprentice |
E-3 | Airman | AN | Airman |
E-4 | Aviation Electrician’s Mate Third Class | AE3 | Petty Officer Third Class |
E-5 | Aviation Electrician’s Mate Second Class | AE2 | Petty Officer Second Class |
E-6 | Aviation Electrician’s Mate First Class | AE1 | Petty Officer First Class |
E-7 | Chief Aviation Electrician’s Mate | AEC | Chief Petty Officer |
E-8 | Senior Chief Aviation Electrician’s Mate | AECS | Senior Chief Petty Officer |
E-9 | Master Chief Avionics Technician | AVCM | Master Chief Petty Officer |
Note: At the E-9 pay grade, Aviation Electrician’s Mate (AE) merges with Aviation Electronics Technician (AT) under the title Master Chief Avionics Technician (AVCM).
This consolidation ensures senior enlisted leadership across both ratings within naval aviation electronics and electrical systems.
Salary and Benefits
Salary for the First 6 Years
Monthly pay for Navy enlisted Sailors (E-1 to E-6) in the first six years is laid out in the January 2025 Active Duty Pay chart:
Pay Grade | Less than 2 Years | Over 2 Years | Over 3 Years | Over 4 Years | Over 6 Years |
E-1 | $2,108.10 | $2,108.10 | $2,108.10 | $2,108.10 | $2,108.10 |
E-2 | $2,362.80 | $2,362.80 | $2,362.80 | $2,362.80 | $2,362.80 |
E-3 | $2,484.60 | $2,640.60 | $2,800.80 | $2,800.80 | $2,800.80 |
E-4 | $2,752.20 | $2,892.90 | $3,049.80 | $3,204.30 | $3,341.40 |
E-5 | $3,001.50 | $3,203.70 | $3,358.80 | $3,517.20 | $3,763.80 |
E-6 | $3,276.60 | $3,606.00 | $3,765.00 | $3,919.80 | $4,080.60 |
Extra Pays and Allowances
Housing Allowance (BAH):
For members living off-base. Covers rent, based on rank, location, and if they have dependents.
Subsistence Allowance (BAS):
Enlisted get $465.77 monthly for food.
Hazard Duty Pay:
For dangerous jobs. Pays $150-$250 per month, depending on the job.
Sea Pay:
For those assigned to ships or deployed units. Depends on rank and time at sea, from $50 to $750 a month.
Special and Incentive Pays:
Bonuses for certain roles, like air traffic control or unique skills. These can be a few hundred to thousands per year.
Source: Figures are from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service.
Benefits
- Healthcare: Active-duty personnel are eligible for free complete medical and dental treatment. Tricare programs are inexpensive for families to use.
- Housing Accomodation: Depending on location, rank, and family size, free on-base accommodation or a tax-free housing allowance (BAH) for off-base living are available.
- Food: Monthly Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) for food costs is known as the “food allowance.”
- Blended Retirement System (BRS): Conventional pensions are no longer available to active-duty personnel. Rather:
- Thrift Savings Plan (TSP): Up to 5% in government matching and automatic contributions.
- Retirement Pay: After 20 years of service, you’re eligible for monthly payments according on the BRS formula, which combines TSP savings with a calculated pension.
- Education:
- Availability of tuition assistance programs that pay for all or part of college tuition.
- Support for higher education under the post-9/11 GI Bill.
- Navy College Program to support education while on service.
- Life Insurance: Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) provides coverage up to $500,000.
- Vacation: ten or more federal holidays plus thirty days of paid vacation each year.
- Extra Benefits:
- Exchanges and commissaries provide tax-free purchasing.
- Discounted travel via military resorts, access to fitness centers, and leisure amenities.
Training and Career Opportunities
Upon completion of initial training at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes (known as Boot Camp), you’ll report for specialized training, including:
- Class “A” Technical School(13 weeks – Pensacola, FL)
- Training in aviation theory, technical knowledge, aviation electrical systems, and electronics theory.
- Additional specialized training may be required depending on assignment.
- AEs can expect to receive training on specific aircraft or equipment relevant to their assignment before reporting for operational activities.
Training Breakdown
School | Location | Approx. Time | Subjects | Training Methods |
---|---|---|---|---|
Class “A” Technical School | Pensacola, FL | 13 weeks | Aviation basic theory, aviation electrical systems, electronics theory | Group instruction |
After Training
- Assignments may include naval air stations, squadrons, aircraft carriers, or other aviation facilities in the U.S. or overseas.
- Approximately 60% of an AE’s assignments take place at sea. In fact, over a 20-year career, AEs will spend 60% of their time at sea and 40% at shore stations.
Promotion & Career Growth
- Promotion opportunities are regularly available but competitive, based on performance.
- Advanced training may be available later in an AE’s career.
- Those with leadership aspirations and a college degree may qualify for Officer roles, providing opportunities to lead and train others.
Post-Service Opportunities
- Specialized training and hands-on experience lead to valuable civilian career opportunities in:
- airlines,
- airports,
- aircraft manufacturers, and
- electronics fields.
Qualifications to Join
A high school diploma or equivalent is required to become an Enlisted Sailor and an Aviation Electrician’s Mate (AE). You must also be a U.S. citizen eligible for security clearance.
Who Should Apply?
- Interest in aviation and working with aircraft.
- Strong electrical and computer systems aptitude.
- Good arithmetic, writing, and speaking skills.
- Ability to perform detailed precision work using tools, equipment, and machines.
- Strong study skills—electronics training is academically demanding.
- Resourcefulness and ability to work well within a team.
- Physically fit with normal hearing and color perception.
ASVAB Requirements
- AR + MK + MC + VE = 210 OR
- VE + AR + MK + AO = 210
Additional Requirements
- Must have normal hearing and color perception (no waivers).
- Security clearance required.
- Must be a U.S. citizen.
- Visual acuity must be correctable to 20/20 (uncorrected vision no worse than 20/100).
- High school graduate required (GED alone may not qualify).
The enlistment qualification requirements above are current as of Fiscal Year 2025, per the Navy Personnel Command. This information is not readily available to the public. So, contact your local Navy Enlisted Recruiter for the most current requirements to join the Navy as an enlisted Sailor.
More Information
If you wish to learn more about becoming an Aviation Electrician’s Mate (AE), contact your local Navy Enlisted Recruiter. They will provide you with more detailed information you’re unlikely to find online.
You may also be interested in the following related Navy Enlisted jobs: