Navy Construction Electrician (CE): Definitive Guide (2025)

This guide provides helpful information for those looking to join the Navy as a Construction Electrician (CE) during the Fiscal Year 2025.

Some jobs you do, some jobs do something for you. As a Construction Electrician (CE) in the Seabees, you’re the one making sure power flows, no matter where the mission takes you.

Climbing poles, wiring buildings, fixing generators, bringing the lights back on when things go dark. You’re the one keeping bases running, ships loaded, and teams moving—whether it’s on a job site, in a combat zone, or after a storm tears through a city.

This isn’t just work—it’s a skill that sticks. You’ll train, get certified, and build the kind of experience that puts you ahead long after your time in the Navy.

Think you can handle it?

Job Description

navy-ce-insignia
CE Insignia – Credit: U.S. Navy

Construction Electricians (CEs) keep the power flowing. They install, fix, and maintain electrical systems—wiring, poles, circuits, transformers, generators, everything. If it moves electricity, CEs handle it. They climb poles, work underground, and keep the Seabees powered up wherever they go.

They get assigned to bases, ports, and disaster zones. If the Navy needs lights on, machines running, or comms working, CEs make it happen. Unlike other Navy roles, most Seabees stay on land—minimal time at sea.

Right now, about 1,200 serve as CEs. They work alone or in teams, in all kinds of environments, getting the job done no matter the conditions.

What You’ll Do

  • Fix power grids, install wiring, and keep everything running.
  • Repair switchboards, interior wiring, alarms, and power networks.
  • Climb poles, lay underground lines, set up transformers, and string power lines.
  • Maintain and repair electric motors, relays, generators, switches, and batteries.
  • Read blueprints, draft sketches, and estimate materials, labor, and costs.
  • Support disaster recovery, combat operations, and emergency power needs.

Different Roles

Construction Electrician (CE)

CEs read blueprints, run wires, and bring power where it’s needed. They install and fix electrical systems—inside, outside, overhead, underground.

They climb poles, set up transformers, and handle distribution systems using conduits, raceways, and direct burial cables. They wire buildings, repair switchboards, and keep comms running.

They also work with:

  • Generators, motors, and controllers
  • Switching equipment and protective devices
  • Security, alarm, and portable lighting systems
  • Telephone and communication networks

Senior Construction Electrician (Project Manager)

Senior CEs take charge of bigger jobs. They plan, schedule, and manage construction projects, making sure everything runs smoothly and on time.

They handle:

  • Problem-solving and troubleshooting
  • Estimating costs and materials
  • Supervising crews and assigning tasks
  • Ensuring projects meet code, specs, and deadlines
  • Training junior CEs and tracking progress

Rank Structure

Pay GradeRateAbbreviationTitle
E-1Constructionman RecruitCRConstructionman Recruit
E-2Constructionman ApprenticeCAConstructionman Apprentice
E-3ConstructionmanCNConstructionman
E-4Construction Electrician Third ClassCE3Petty Officer Third Class
E-5Construction Electrician Second ClassCE2Petty Officer Second Class
E-6Construction Electrician First ClassCE1Petty Officer First Class
E-7Chief Construction ElectricianCECChief Petty Officer
E-8Senior Chief Construction ElectricianCECSSenior Chief Petty Officer
E-9Master Chief SeabeeCBCMMaster Chief Petty Officer

Note

At the Master Chief Petty Officer (E-9) level, the Construction Electrician (CE) rating merges with other Seabee construction ratings into Master Chief Seabee (CBCM).

This shift, outlined in NAVADMIN 054/21, replaces the old Master Chief Utilitiesman (UCCM) and other construction-related master chief titles with a unified CBCM rating.

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 GradeLess than 2 YearsOver 2 YearsOver 3 YearsOver 4 YearsOver 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.
Navy-CE-Rating-Construction-Electrician-Image-704X396

Training and Promotion Opportunities

After Boot Camp at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, future Construction Electricians (CEs) head to Class “A” Technical School at Sheppard Air Force Base, TX for about 17 weeks.

There, you’ll learn the fundamentals of electrical work, from wiring and distribution systems to combat skills needed in field operations.

SchoolLocationTimeSubjectsMethods
Class “A” Tech SchoolSheppard AFB, TX17 weeksBasic construction, electrical systems, combat skillsHands-on & classroom

Once training is done, assignments go to a Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) or Amphibious Construction Battalion (ACB). Expect rotations between homeport and overseas locations—Spain, Guam, Okinawa. Maybe even disaster relief zones.

Expect to be assigned to an NMCB in Port Hueneme, CA or Gulfport, MS, or an ACB in San Diego, CA or Little Creek, VA.

Career Growth

  • Promotion? Earned through performance and experience.
  • Advanced Training? Available later in your career.
  • Civilian Jobs? The skills transfer directly into electrical and construction fields.

Qualifications to Join

Basic Requirements

A high-school diploma or equivalent is required to enlist as a Construction Electrician (CE) in the Navy. You must be a U.S. citizen and meet physical and technical qualifications to handle the demands of electrical construction in high-intensity environments.

Skills & Qualifications

To succeed as a Construction Electrician, you’ll need:

  • Technical Skills – Proficiency with tools, electrical equipment, and machines
  • Math Knowledge – Algebra and arithmetic for electrical calculations
  • Attention to Detail – Ability to perform precision work and keep accurate records
  • Problem-Solving Ability – Resourcefulness in troubleshooting electrical systems
  • Physical Fitness – Strength, endurance, and ability to work in tough environments
  • Teamwork & Communication – Clear verbal and written skills, ability to work with others

Physical & Vision Requirements

  • Must be able to climb a 35-foot wooden pole using gaffs (metal climbing spikes), attach a safety strap, rotate 360° both ways, disengage, and descend within six minutes. (No steps or pegs—just you, your gear, and the climb.)
  • Must have normal color perception (ability to distinguish colors in electrical wiring)
  • Vision must be correctable to 20/20
  • Normal hearing required

Aptitude Testing

  • ASVAB Score: AR + MK + EI + GS = 201

Commitment

This is a 5-year enlistment program designed for those ready to build, repair, and keep the power on wherever the Navy operates.

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 Construction Electrician (CE), 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:

Ted Kingston
I’m a Navy veteran who used to serve as a Navy recruiter. This website is the most reliable source of information for all Enlisted Navy Sailor aspirants. In coordination with a network of current and former Navy recruiters, my goal is to make reliable information easily available to you so you can make informed career decisions.

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