This guide provides helpful information for those looking to join the Navy as a Hull Maintenance Technician (HT) during the Fiscal Year 2025.
When something breaks on a Navy ship, duct tape won’t fix it. That’s where Hull Maintenance Technicians (HTs) come in.
These Sailors are the welders, metalworkers, and fabricators who repair hull breaches, fix broken pipes, and keep the ship’s structure intact. If it’s metal, HTs can cut it, shape it, weld it, and fix it.
HTs specialize in all aspects of ship repair, working from the belly of the ship to the pilothouse. They maintain their own shop and handle everything from structural repairs to plumbing systems.
If the ship needs it, HTs can build it.
Job Description
Hull Maintenance Technicians (HT) are Navy enlisted Sailors who plan, supervise, and perform various tasks related to the fabrication, installation, maintenance, and repair of shipboard structures, plumbing, sewage, and piping systems.
Hull Maintenance Technicians (HTs) keep the ship’s structure and systems in working order. They don’t just fix things—they weld, fabricate, inspect, and reinforce everything that holds the ship together.
They oversee hull repairs, train personnel, enforce safety procedures, and maintain records. Most HTs serve at sea on ships, but some work at shore stations, sometimes outdoors in harsh weather conditions.
If a ship needs metalwork, pipe fitting, or structural repairs, HTs get it done. They cut, weld, shape, and fix anything made of metal, ensuring the ship stays strong and seaworthy.
With around 2,800 Sailors in the HT rating, they handle everything from plumbing to structural welding—working in shop environments, out on deck, or deep in the ship.
HTs spend about 60% of their career at sea and 40% on shore duty. Whether on ships or in shore stations, they keep Navy structures and systems running.
Fun fact: Did you know they’re nicknamed ‘Snipes‘? Here’s Why…
Specific Responsibilities
HTs perform critical metalwork to keep shipboard structures intact. Their job includes:
- Repairing valves, plumbing, piping, and marine sanitation systems.
- Maintaining hulls, decks, and structures through welding, brazing, riveting, and caulking.
- Inspecting and testing welds with radiological, ultrasonic, and magnetic particle testing equipment.
- Heat treating and working with different metals—aluminum, steel, copper, brass, iron.
- Cutting and assembling pipes for ship systems.
- Repairing ventilation ducts, insulation, and lagging.
- Fixing boats made of metal, wood, and fiberglass.
- Managing and maintaining ballast control systems.
- Overseeing the ship’s Quality Assurance Program.
- Enforcing safety and security protocols.
- Maintaining reports and records of repairs and inspections.
Different Roles
Hull Systems Sailors handle shipboard repairs, plumbing, and metalwork. If something breaks—pipes, ventilation, hull plating—they fix it.
Two roles: Maintainers start with hands-on work, while Technicians take on more responsibility and oversight.
Hull Systems Maintainer (Entry-Level, Hands-On Work)
- Maintain and repair ship surfaces, plumbing, sanitation, and ballast systems.
- Fabricate metal structures for ship repairs.
- Inspect and test hull structures and piping.
- Weld, braze, rivet, and caulk to reinforce and repair.
- Install and fix valves, piping, and ventilation systems.
- Work on boats, insulation, and ventilation ducts.
- Follow Quality Assurance standards to make sure everything holds.
Hull Systems Technician (More Experience, More Responsibility)
- Does everything a Maintainer does, plus:
- Construct, inspect, and test shipboard structures.
- Supervise welding, brazing, and metalwork repairs.
- Oversee installation and maintenance of valves, piping, and ventilation.
- Train and guide Maintainers.
- Ensure all repairs meet Navy standards.
The Job is Tough, But Necessary
Maintainers learn the trade. Technicians step up and lead. Ships don’t stay afloat without them.
Rank Structure
Pay Grade | Rate | Abbreviation | Title |
---|---|---|---|
E-1 | Seaman Recruit | SR | Seaman Recruit |
E-2 | Seaman Apprentice | SA | Seaman Apprentice |
E-3 | Seaman | SN | Seaman |
E-4 | Hull Maintenance Technician Third Class | HT3 | Petty Officer Third Class |
E-5 | Hull Maintenance Technician Second Class | HT2 | Petty Officer Second Class |
E-6 | Hull Maintenance Technician First Class | HT1 | Petty Officer First Class |
E-7 | Chief Hull Maintenance Technician | HTC | Chief Petty Officer |
E-8 | Senior Chief Hull Maintenance Technician | HTCS | Senior Chief Petty Officer |
E-9 | Master Chief Hull Maintenance Technician | HTCM | Master 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:
Paygrade | 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
After Boot Camp at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, Hull Maintenance Technicians go through specialized training to learn metalwork, ship repairs, and mechanical systems.
Initial Training
Basic Engineering Common Core & “A” School – Great Lakes, IL (13 weeks)
- Mechanical theory, technical documentation.
- Hands-on training with shipboard systems.
HT Strand Technical School – Great Lakes, IL (5 weeks)
- Drafting, blueprint reading, mathematics.
- Quality assurance and shop safety.
- Metalwork, welding, brazing, pipefitting, cutting.
- Sheet metal work, piping systems, and shipboard sanitation systems.
After training, HTs are assigned to ships or shore stations in the U.S. or overseas.
Advanced Training & Career Growth
- Additional technical training is available later in the career.
- Promotion is competitive and based on performance.
- Officer roles are available for those with leadership potential and a college degree.
Post-Service Opportunities
HT skills directly transfer to civilian jobs in:
- Welding & metal fabrication.
- Construction & industrial repair.
- Automotive repair & mechanical work.
Qualifications to Join
Basic Requirements
To qualify as an HT, you need:
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- U.S. citizenship and security clearance eligibility.
- Basic math, writing, and speaking skills.
- Good vision, normal color perception, and normal hearing.
- Strong hands, good with tools, able to handle metalwork and machinery.
- Physical strength, attention to detail, and teamwork skills.
- Able to keep records and do repetitive tasks.
ASVAB Requirements (Waivers case-by-case)
- VE + AR + MK + AS = 200 OR
- MK + AS + AO = 150
Hearing & Vision Standards
- Normal color vision required.
- Normal hearing required.
- Hearing test at 3000Hz, 4000Hz, 5000Hz, 6000Hz.
- Average hearing threshold level must be under 30dB.
- No single frequency over 45dB.
- If above limits, not eligible for HT.
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 Hull Maintenance Technician (HT), 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: