This guide provides helpful information for those looking into joining the Navy as an Aviation Electronics Technician (AT) during the Fiscal Year 2025.
Jets don’t fly without electronics. Radar. Sensors. Tactical displays. Navigation. It all has to work. And when it doesn’t? That’s a problem. A big one.
That’s where Aviation Electronics Technicians (ATs) step in.
You don’t just fix things. You hunt down problems. Break them apart. Wire by wire. Circuit by circuit. You test, troubleshoot, and repair every system that makes a Navy jet more than just a big metal tube with wings.
One bad connection could mean the difference between mission success and failure. You don’t let that happen.
Job Description
Aviation Electronic Technicians (AT) are Navy enlisted Sailors who 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.
Specific Responsibilities
ATs keep Navy aircraft running by fixing, testing, and maintaining their electronic systems. That means everything from radar and navigation to weapons control and fiber optics. If it’s got wires, circuits, or a display, you’ll be working on it.
As an AT, expect to be stationed on carriers, with squadrons, or at shore facilities anywhere in the world. You’ll spend time in shops, labs, hangars—sometimes on the flight deck, sometimes troubleshooting gear in tight spaces. The job can be high-pressure, but that’s the mission.
What you’ll do:
- Fixing and maintaining aircraft electronics – radar, comms, navigation, fire control, infrared sensors, and more.
- Troubleshooting and repairing Weapons Replaceable Assemblies (WRA) and Shop Replaceable Assemblies (SRA).
- Micro-miniature circuit board repairs – down to the component level.
- Calibrating test equipment to keep systems accurate and working right.
- Running diagnostics on electrical power systems – generators, distribution networks, and more.
- Keeping up with regular maintenance and corrosion control – because aircraft take a beating.
You’ll deal with high-tech gear and old-school electrical systems. Some days are all about precision soldering under a magnifying glass. Other days, you’re out on the deck swapping out entire units in the middle of flight ops. It’s technical, hands-on, and mission-critical.
Different Roles
Aviation Electronics Intermediate Level Technician
These techs keep avionics running. They talk with Production Control and Quality Assurance to stay on top of deadlines and keep everything in line with the Naval Aviation Maintenance Program (NAMP).
They handle mission navigation, RADAR, and communications avionics—checking, debugging, repairing, and keeping systems in shape.
They need to know their equipment inside and out. That means understanding how it works, troubleshooting it at every level, and reading schematics like second nature.
Aviation Electronics Organizational Level Technician
These techs work directly with aircraft. They report to Maintenance Control and Quality Assurance, making sure avionics stay mission-ready under NAMP.
They handle inspections, troubleshooting, and repairs on aircraft avionic systems.
They need to know how to read aircraft schematics, interpret avionics systems, and understand their gear’s operating theory like it’s muscle memory.
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 Electronics Technician Third Class | AT3 | Petty Officer Third Class |
E-5 | Aviation Electronics Technician Second Class | AT2 | Petty Officer Second Class |
E-6 | Aviation Electronics Technician First Class | AT1 | Petty Officer First Class |
E-7 | Chief Aviation Electronics Technician | ATC | Chief Petty Officer |
E-8 | Senior Chief Aviation Electronics Technician | ATCS | Senior Chief Petty Officer |
E-9 | Master Chief Avionics Technician | AVCM | Master Chief Petty Officer |
Note:
At E-9, the Aviation Electronics Technician (AT) rating merges with the Aviation Electrician’s Mate (AE) rating under the title Master Chief Avionics Technician (AVCM).
This ensures senior enlisted leadership covers both avionics and electrical systems across naval aviation.
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
Initial Training
After Boot Camp in Great Lakes, IL, you’ll head to Pensacola, FL, for Class “A” Technical School.
School | Location | Duration | What You’ll Learn |
---|---|---|---|
Class “A” Technical School | Pensacola, FL | About 24 Weeks | Aviation theory, electrical systems, electronics, troubleshooting |
Where You’ll Go
Once training wraps up, you’ll get assigned to a naval air station, squadron, aircraft carrier, or another aviation unit. Could be in the U.S., could be overseas.
- Might need extra training for the specific aircraft or equipment you’ll be working with.
- Promotions happen, but they’re competitive. Hard work matters.
Over a 20-year career, Aviation Electronics Technicians (ATs) spend about 60% of their time at sea, 40% at shore stations.
What’s Next?
- Later in your career, you might train in more advanced systems.
- Got leadership goals? Officer roles are out there—especially if you have a college degree.
After the Navy
- The tech skills you build here set you up for jobs in airlines, aircraft manufacturing, and electronics repair.
- Certifications from your training help in the civilian world too.
Qualifications to Join
Basic Requirements
To be an Aviation Electronics Technician (AT) in the Navy, you need:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- U.S. citizenship
- Security clearance
- 60-month service obligation
What They’re Looking For
- Good with tech? You should be into aviation, aircraft, electrical systems, and computers.
- Hands-on work. Expect to use tools, equipment, and machines for detailed precision work.
- Book smarts matter. Strong math, writing, speaking, and study skills help.
- Physical side. Need normal hearing, color vision, manual dexterity, and no speech problems.
ASVAB Score Requirements
Test Combination | Minimum Score |
---|---|
AR+MK+VE+AO | 210; or |
VE+AR+MK+MC | 210 |
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 a Navy Aviation Electronics Technician (AT), 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: