Best Jobs After the Navy

Did you know that about 200,000 military members transition from service every year? The transition from the military to civilian life is a very important step. For those recently transitioning or beginning the transition process from the Navy, one of the first orders of business is to secure a new career. 

However, there may be a good amount of uncertainty about what the best job would be for someone with your military background, and you may be wondering what jobs are out there for someone with your Navy experience. Read on to learn more about what to expect when transitioning from the Navy to a civilian career, and what the best jobs are after the Navy.

Transitioning from the Navy to Civilian Employment

Transitioning from the Navy to a civilian career can seem daunting. In the Navy, you were given a sense of purpose, with a well-defined role, camaraderie with your fellow Sailors, and a feeling of honor and pride in serving your country. When transitioning out of the Navy, many veterans feel almost a sense of loss of identity, with no clear direction on how to manage their life outside of the military.

Adding to that, navigating the world of Corporate America, with resumes, multiple interviews, salaries, benefits, and more can make you feel ill-equipped to handle civilian employment. 

However, you can use those same skills that you acquired and trained for in the Navy to find a meaningful, lucrative career. Below are just a small number of careers that are well-suited for Navy veterans after the military. 

The 8 Best Jobs for Veterans After the Navy

Information Security Analyst

Information Security Analysts are responsible for protecting information in an organization's computer systems from data breaches and cyberattacks. It's one of the best jobs to go into after Naval service, with good salaries and a lot of opportunity.

NAVSEA, the Navy’s cybersecurity and information technology unit, are among the best in the field, and Navy service members with this experience would do well in this role.

Average salary: $83K/yr.

Commercial Pilot

Navy pilots are in high demand for Commercial Pilot opportunities, and the FAA allows U.S. military pilots qualified in a military class and category of aircraft to obtain the civilian equivalent commercial and instrument pilot rating. In fact, Delta Airlines will now begin interviewing and extending conditional job offers to retiring full-time active-duty military and full-time Active Guard Reserve pilots as early as 24 months prior to their retirement date.

Average salary: $173K+/yr.

Administrative Services Manager

Administrative services and facilities managers plan, direct, and coordinate activities that help an organization run efficiently. As a Navy veteran, your soft skills like leadership, problem-solving, and teamwork all directly translate into this role.

Average salary: $63K+/yr.  

Nursing & Other Healthcare Roles

If you are a current or former Navy medic seeking to put your experience to use in a civilian job, a career in nursing or another healthcare role could be an excellent choice for you. Your military experience, medical training, and skills will transfer well into the medical field.

On average, nurses typically make $82K+/yr, with doctors earning $224K+/yr.

Commercial Driver

If you drove trucks in the Navy, there is a good chance that you can skip the driving school requirement for a CDL license and become a Commercial Driver with relative ease. Most state transportation departments offer a Military Skills Test Waiver for CDL applicants who plan to drive a vehicle similar to those in the military.

Average salary: $63K+/yr.

Nuclear Engineer

For transitioning Navy Nukes, a Nuclear Engineer or Nuclear Technician is one of the most popular jobs. Nuclear Engineers are responsible for all the tasks that are directly responsible for the harnessing of nuclear radiations and energy.

Average salary: $240K+/yr.

Facilities Maintenance Mechanic

As a Navy veteran, you are some of the best trained maintenance resources available for companies, making you perfect for a Facilities Maintenance Mechanic position. In this role,  you would handle the general and preventive maintenance, repairs, and upkeep of a property structure or facility.

Average salary: $57K+/yr.

Air Traffic Controller

As an Air Traffic Controller in the Navy, you worked against moving runways, inclement weather and mechanical issues to get personnel safely to the ground, and you have proven yourself more than capable to handle this same position in the civilian world.

Average salary: $120K+/yr.

Find a New Career with Orion Talent

The occupations listed above are just a small sampling of the careers that transitioning Navy and Navy veterans can find success in after the military. Orion Talent has had tremendous success finding meaningful careers for Sailors after the military, and we invite you to reach out to Orion Talent to help you find a civilian job, and search our current opportunities.

We have experience in placing Navy Enlisted Technicians and Officers, especially transitioning Navy with backgrounds in Nuclear, Electricians, Electronics Technicians, and more. 

Our Transition Resources guide is a comprehensive tool designed to walk you through the hiring process, offering information on resume writing, interview basics and preparation, and more. 

If you are ready to start your civilian career, register today.

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