Navy Electrician’s Mate (EM): Definitive Guide (2025)

This guide provides helpful information for those looking to join the Navy as an Electrician’s Mate (EM) during the Fiscal Year 2025.

Lights go out at home? You wait. Lights go out on a ship? Nothing works. No comms, no navigation, no aircraft taking off.

That’s why EMs are there. They keep power running, fix circuits, maintain runway lights, and make sure everything electrical works.

Something breaks? They fix it. No waiting, no guessing. Remember: No power, no ship.

Job Description

navy-em-insignia
EM Insignia – Credit: U.S. Navy

Electrician’s Mates (EM) install, maintain, and repair electrical systems on Navy ships. Generators, switchboards, motors, power circuits—if it runs on electricity, they handle it.

Most work happens indoors, in electrical shops or machinery spaces. Some shore assignments exist, but most EMs serve at sea. This is hands-on, technical work, often done alongside other ratings.

About 4,300 Sailors work as EMs, keeping ships powered and running. Over a 20-year Navy career, EMs typically spend:

  • 65% of their time at sea assigned to fleet units.
  • 35% on shore duty at shipyards, repair bases, or training commands.

Most EMs serve on ships, keeping power systems operational. Shore duty provides opportunities for training, maintenance, and leadership roles.


What They Do

  • Maintain and install power distribution circuits, lighting, and batteries.
  • Wire and repair shipboard electrical equipment.
  • Fix and test motors, power systems, and electric consoles.
  • Troubleshoot short circuits and grounds.
  • Read and work from electrical sketches, diagrams, and blueprints.

If the ship loses power, nothing works. EMs make sure that doesn’t happen.

Fun fact: Did you know they’re nicknamed ‘Snipes‘? Here’s Why…

Different Roles

Electrical Systems Sailors keep ships running by maintaining and repairing electrical systems. Two roles: Maintainers handle routine work and upkeep, while Technicians troubleshoot and take on more responsibility.


Electrical Systems Maintainer (Entry-Level, Hands-On Work)

  • Operate and maintain power distribution, motors, generators, and lighting.
  • Perform preventive maintenance on electrical systems.
  • Work on alarm systems, vibration analysis equipment, and auxiliary machinery.
  • Support propulsion plants and tactical movement systems.

Electrical Systems Technician (More Responsibility, Troubleshooting, and Repairs)

  • Everything a Maintainer does, plus:
  • Perform troubleshooting and repairs on power distribution and electrical systems.
  • Read and interpret schematics, diagrams, and blueprints.
  • Work more independently and take on complex system maintenance.

Power Goes Out? They Fix It

Maintainers learn and keep things running. Technicians solve problems and take charge. If it’s electrical, they make sure it works.

Navy-EM-Rating-Electricians-Mate-Image-704X396

Rank Structure

Pay GradeRateAbbreviationTitle
E-1Fireman RecruitFRFireman Recruit
E-2Fireman ApprenticeFAFireman Apprentice
E-3FiremanFNFireman
E-4Electrician’s Mate Third ClassEM3Petty Officer Third Class
E-5Electrician’s Mate Second ClassEM2Petty Officer Second Class
E-6Electrician’s Mate First ClassEM1Petty Officer First Class
E-7Chief Electrician’s MateEMCChief Petty Officer
E-8Senior Chief Electrician’s MateEMCSSenior Chief Petty Officer
E-9Master Chief Electrician’s MateEMCMMaster Chief Petty Officer

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.

Training and Promotion Opportunities

After Boot Camp at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, EMs go through specialized training to operate, maintain, and repair shipboard electrical systems.


Initial Training

Basic Engineering Common Core – Great Lakes, IL (10 weeks)

  • Mechanical theory and technical documentation.
  • Group instruction in classroom and shop environments.

Engineering Electrical Core – Great Lakes, IL (4 weeks)

  • Electrical math, schematics, AC/DC circuits.
  • Solid-state characteristics and logic systems.

EM Strand Technical School – Great Lakes, IL (4 weeks)

  • Technical skills in electricity and electronics.

After training, EMs may be assigned to a ship, naval shipyard, or repair base in the U.S. or overseas. Some may receive additional specialized training for specific equipment.


Advanced Training & Career Growth

  • More technical training available later in the career.
  • Promotions are competitive and based on performance.
  • Officer roles available for those with leadership skills and a college degree.

Post-Service Opportunities

EM training translates to civilian jobs in:

  • Electrical and electronics engineering.
  • Industrial electrical maintenance.
  • Power distribution and circuit repair.

EMs work where electrical systems are critical—ships, shipyards, and repair stations.

Qualifications to Join

Basic Requirements

To qualify as an Electrician’s Mate (EM) in the Navy, you must meet the following requirements:

  • High school diploma or equivalent.
  • U.S. citizen (security clearance not required for all billets, but some may require one).
  • Interest in electrical systems and equipment.
  • Ability to perform detailed work and solve problems.
  • Skill in using tools, equipment, and machines.
  • Manual dexterity and normal color perception (required, no exceptions).
  • Resourceful, logical thinker, willing to learn about electricity and test equipment.

ASVAB Requirements (Waivers considered case-by-case)

  • 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 an Electrician’s Mate (EM), 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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