Marine Corps 0204 Air Intelligence Officer to Civilian: Your Complete Career Transition Guide (2025 Salary Data)
Comprehensive career guide for 0204 Air Intelligence Officers transitioning to civilian careers. Includes defense contractor roles $85K-$150K+, three-letter agencies, and aviation intelligence analysis opportunities.
Bottom Line Up Front
As a 0204 Air Intelligence Officer, you're sitting on a gold mine of marketable skills: aviation intelligence analysis, threat assessment, mission planning, Secret/Top Secret clearances, and leadership of intelligence teams. Your officer experience combined with aviation intelligence expertise translates directly to $85,000-$150,000+ positions with defense contractors, three-letter agencies (CIA, DIA, NSA, NGA), and private sector intelligence firms. If you maintain your TS/SCI clearance, you can command $120,000-$180,000+ in contractor roles. The intelligence community is actively recruiting former military intelligence officers—you just need to know where to look and how to market your specialized skillset.
Let's address the elephant in the room
Every 0204 who starts looking at civilian careers hits the same wall: "How do I explain what I actually did?" and "Will anyone value my clearance and experience?"
Here's the reality: The civilian intelligence community desperately needs you.
You didn't just "look at maps and brief pilots." You:
- Conducted aviation threat analysis for combat operations
- Briefed senior officers and aircrew on enemy capabilities
- Managed intelligence preparation of the battlespace (IPB)
- Coordinated with joint and coalition intelligence assets
- Analyzed imagery, SIGINT, HUMINT to produce actionable intelligence
- Led intelligence sections of 5-15 Marines
- Maintained and leveraged Top Secret/SCI clearances
- Produced time-sensitive intelligence products under pressure
That's intelligence analysis, threat assessment, multi-source intelligence fusion, project management, classified information handling, and leadership. Defense contractors, federal agencies, and consulting firms pay top dollar for exactly these skills.
The challenge isn't whether you're qualified—it's translating "0204" into language that gets you past civilian HR and into interviews where your value is obvious.
Best civilian career paths for 0204 Air Intelligence Officers
Let's get specific with real salary data and actual job titles.
Defense contractors (highest-paying path)
Civilian job titles:
- Intelligence analyst (aviation/threat)
- All-source intelligence analyst
- Geospatial intelligence analyst
- Targeting analyst
- Intelligence program manager
- Senior intelligence consultant
- Mission analyst
Salary ranges:
- Entry-level intelligence analyst (with clearance): $75,000-$95,000
- Mid-level analyst (3-5 years civilian experience): $95,000-$125,000
- Senior intelligence analyst: $120,000-$150,000
- Intelligence program manager: $130,000-$175,000
- Subject matter expert (SME) with TS/SCI: $150,000-$200,000+
- Overseas contractor positions: $180,000-$250,000+
Top employers:
- Booz Allen Hamilton (massive intelligence practice)
- CACI International (intelligence support services)
- Leidos (formerly SAIC, huge DoD intelligence contracts)
- BAE Systems (intelligence and security)
- Northrop Grumman (ISR and intelligence)
- General Dynamics IT (defense intelligence)
- ManTech International (intelligence services)
- Peraton (intelligence mission support)
What translates directly:
- Aviation intelligence and threat analysis
- Intelligence preparation of the battlespace (IPB)
- Multi-source intelligence fusion (IMINT, SIGINT, HUMINT)
- Briefing senior leadership
- Intelligence production and reporting
- Active TS/SCI clearance (worth $20K-40K in salary premium)
- Understanding of DoD intelligence processes and systems
Certifications needed:
- Active TS/SCI clearance (absolutely critical—maintain it)
- Bachelor's degree (required by most contractors; use your GI Bill if needed)
- DoD 8570 compliance (Security+ or equivalent for IT-related intelligence work)
- Professional certifications (optional but valuable): Certified Defense Intelligence Professional (CDIP), PMP
Reality check: Defense contractors live and die by clearances. If your TS/SCI is active, you're immediately worth $85K-120K minimum. If it's expired, you're competing with people who have active clearances and you'll likely start lower while it gets renewed (6-18 months).
Contractor work is feast or famine. Contracts get won and lost. You might be supporting SOCOM one year and NGA the next. Job security comes from being good enough that companies fight to keep you when contracts change.
The work itself? It's often similar to what you did in the military—intelligence analysis, briefings, reports—just in civilian clothes for significantly more money.
Best for: 0204s with active clearances who want to leverage their exact skillset for maximum pay with minimal retraining.
Federal government - Three-letter agencies
Civilian job titles:
- Intelligence analyst (CIA, DIA, NSA, NGA, FBI)
- Targeting officer
- Collection management officer
- All-source analyst
- Geospatial intelligence analyst
- Operations officer
- Intelligence operations specialist
Salary ranges (2025 GS pay scale, DC locality):
- GS-11/12 entry (with experience): $80,000-$105,000
- GS-13 (mid-career analyst): $105,000-$137,000
- GS-14 (senior analyst/supervisor): $125,000-$162,000
- GS-15 (senior leadership): $148,000-$192,000
- SES (Senior Executive Service): $183,000-$230,000+
Top agencies actively hiring former Marine intelligence officers:
- Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) - military intelligence focused
- National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) - GEOINT specialists
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) - clandestine service and analysis
- National Security Agency (NSA) - SIGINT and cyber intelligence
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) - intelligence analysts and special agents
- National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) - overhead reconnaissance
- Dept of Homeland Security Intelligence & Analysis - homeland threats
What translates directly:
- Intelligence analysis and production
- Threat assessment methodologies
- Classified information handling
- Briefing senior officials
- Intelligence community (IC) tradecraft
- Aviation and targeting intelligence
- Coalition and joint operations experience
Certifications needed:
- Bachelor's degree (minimum; master's preferred for GS-12+)
- Active clearance (agencies will sponsor renewal, but active is better)
- Polygraph (required for CIA, NSA; FBI has its own background process)
Reality check: Federal hiring is SLOW. From application to start date, expect 6-18 months. Background investigations, polygraphs, medical screenings—it's a marathon.
But once you're in, job security is excellent, benefits are strong (TSP matching, pension, health insurance), and promotion is structured. You can build a 25-year career and retire with a pension.
The work is mission-focused. You're serving your country in a different capacity, often working the same issues you did in uniform.
Veteran preference applies to most positions (5-10 points), giving you a significant hiring advantage.
Best for: 0204s who want mission-focused work, job security, federal benefits, and long-term career stability over maximum salary.
Private sector intelligence and risk consulting
Civilian job titles:
- Intelligence analyst (private sector)
- Threat intelligence analyst
- Geopolitical risk analyst
- Due diligence analyst
- Corporate intelligence specialist
- Risk consultant
- Security intelligence manager
Salary ranges:
- Entry-level analyst: $70,000-$90,000
- Mid-level analyst: $90,000-$120,000
- Senior analyst/manager: $120,000-$160,000
- Director of intelligence/security: $160,000-$220,000+
Top employers:
- Stratfor (RANE) - geopolitical intelligence
- Recorded Future - threat intelligence
- Flashpoint - security intelligence
- Control Risks - risk consulting
- Kroll - investigations and risk
- Pinkerton - corporate risk management
- S-RM (Strategic Risk Management) - global risk
- Corporate security departments (Fortune 500 companies)
What translates directly:
- Threat analysis and assessment
- Intelligence collection and analysis
- Open-source intelligence (OSINT)
- Briefing executives
- Risk assessment methodologies
- Report writing and intelligence products
Certifications needed:
- Bachelor's degree (required)
- Security clearance (not required, but valuable)
- CPP (Certified Protection Professional) or PCI (Professional Certified Investigator) - optional but respected in corporate security
Reality check: Private sector intelligence work is less about classified programs and more about open-source analysis, corporate due diligence, geopolitical risk, and competitive intelligence.
The pace is faster—corporate clients want answers in hours, not days. You're analyzing threats to business operations, supply chains, personnel, and investments.
Clearances aren't required, but your military intelligence experience gives you instant credibility. You understand intelligence processes, know how to analyze complex situations, and can brief executives confidently.
Work-life balance is generally better than contractors supporting military operations. You're not deploying or working shift work.
Best for: 0204s who want to use intelligence skills in the private sector, don't want to maintain clearances, and prefer corporate environments over DoD-focused work.
Federal law enforcement (intelligence-focused)
Civilian job titles:
- FBI Intelligence Analyst
- FBI Special Agent
- DEA Intelligence Research Specialist
- ATF Intelligence Operations Specialist
- HSI (Homeland Security Investigations) Intelligence Analyst
- US Marshals Intelligence Analyst
Salary ranges:
- FBI Intelligence Analyst (GS-9 to GS-11 entry): $60,000-$80,000
- FBI Special Agent (GS-10 entry): $75,000-$95,000 (with locality)
- Mid-career analyst (GS-12/13): $90,000-$130,000
- Supervisory roles (GS-14/15): $120,000-$165,000
What translates directly:
- Intelligence analysis and fusion
- Threat assessment
- Briefing leadership
- Working with classified information
- Surveillance and targeting knowledge
- Coordination with multiple agencies
Certifications needed:
- Bachelor's degree (required)
- Security clearance (FBI will process; prior clearance helps)
- FBI background investigation and polygraph
- Special Agent path requires: age limits (23-37), physical fitness, firearms qualification
Reality check: FBI intelligence analysts support criminal investigations, counterterrorism, counterintelligence, and cyber operations. It's intelligence work applied to law enforcement missions.
FBI Special Agents have broader investigative authority and higher pay, but it's a different career path—you're an armed law enforcement officer who conducts investigations, not purely an intelligence analyst.
Hiring timelines are 12-18 months. Background investigations are thorough. Polygraphs are required.
Best for: 0204s interested in law enforcement intelligence, counterterrorism, or counterintelligence work with federal badge and gun options.
Academic and think tank intelligence research
Civilian job titles:
- Research analyst
- Intelligence researcher
- Defense policy analyst
- Geopolitical analyst
- Senior fellow (with advanced degrees)
Salary ranges:
- Junior researcher: $55,000-$75,000
- Mid-level analyst: $75,000-$100,000
- Senior fellow/researcher: $100,000-$140,000
Top employers:
- RAND Corporation (defense research)
- Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
- Institute for the Study of War (ISW)
- Atlantic Council
- Brookings Institution
- Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
What translates directly:
- Intelligence analysis
- Research and writing
- Briefing and presentations
- Regional expertise
- Military operations understanding
Certifications needed:
- Master's degree (often required; PhD preferred for senior roles)
- Clearance (valuable but not always required)
Reality check: Think tank work pays less than contractors but offers intellectual freedom, publication opportunities, and policy influence. You're writing papers, testifying before Congress, and shaping defense policy.
This path typically requires graduate education. Use your GI Bill for a master's in international relations, security studies, or defense policy.
Best for: 0204s who want to influence policy, enjoy research and writing, and are willing to pursue graduate education for less pay but more intellectual engagement.
Skills translation table (for your resume)
Stop writing "0204 Air Intelligence Officer" on civilian resumes. Here's the translation:
| Military Skill | Civilian Translation |
|---|---|
| Air intelligence officer | Aviation intelligence analyst; threat assessment specialist |
| Intelligence preparation of battlespace (IPB) | Intelligence analysis and threat assessment for operational planning |
| Briefed senior officers on enemy air threats | Presented intelligence assessments to executive leadership |
| Analyzed IMINT, SIGINT, HUMINT | Multi-source intelligence fusion and analysis |
| Led intelligence section of 12 Marines | Managed intelligence team; supervised analytical production |
| Produced intelligence summaries and assessments | Authored time-sensitive intelligence reports and analytical products |
| Coordinated with joint and coalition intelligence | Collaborated with multi-agency partners on intelligence operations |
| TS/SCI clearance | Active Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information clearance |
| Threat analysis and pattern recognition | Identified threat trends and anomalies through data analysis |
| Mission planning support | Intelligence support to operational planning and execution |
Resume writing tips:
- Lead with your clearance: "Top Secret/SCI cleared intelligence professional with 4+ years aviation threat analysis"
- Use civilian-friendly metrics: "Produced 200+ intelligence briefings" not "Supported 200 combat sorties"
- Translate acronyms: Write out "Intelligence Preparation of the Battlespace" at least once
- Emphasize leadership: "Led 12-person intelligence team" is stronger than "Intelligence section commander"
- Highlight results: "Intelligence analysis directly supported successful targeting of 50+ high-value targets"
Certifications that actually matter for 0204s
Here's what's worth your time and GI Bill:
Critical priority (get these):
Bachelor's degree (if you don't have one) - Absolutely required for 90% of intelligence positions. Major doesn't matter as much as having it. International relations, political science, intelligence studies, or business all work. Cost: $0 with GI Bill. Value: Mandatory for most positions.
Security+ or equivalent (DoD 8570 IAT Level II) - Required for intelligence positions involving DoD networks and systems. Cost: $400-600 for exam + study materials. Time: 2-4 weeks of study. Value: Opens contractor positions requiring IT access.
Master's degree (for career advancement) - Not required initially, but valuable for GS-13+ federal positions and think tank work. Intelligence studies, international relations, security studies, business administration all work. Cost: $0 with GI Bill. Time: 18-24 months part-time. Value: Competitive advantage and higher salary potential.
Maintain your clearance - Most valuable "certification" you have. Keep it active if possible. If you let it lapse, reactivation takes 6-18 months and you lose immediate job opportunities. Value: $20K-40K salary premium with active clearance vs. without.
Medium priority (if they fit your path):
Project Management Professional (PMP) - Valuable for intelligence program management roles. Requires 3 years experience. Cost: $500-1,000 for exam; $1,500-3,000 for training. Value: Opens program management roles at $130K-175K.
Certified Defense Intelligence Professional (CDIP) - DoD intelligence certification showing professional development. Free for military/federal employees. Value: Demonstrates commitment to intelligence profession; respected in defense intelligence community.
Language certifications (DLPT/OPI) - If you have language skills, document them with Defense Language Proficiency Test or Oral Proficiency Interview scores. Value: Foreign language skills can add $5K-15K to salary offers, especially for Middle East/Asia languages.
Low priority (nice to have):
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) - If you're pivoting toward cyber intelligence. Cost: $700 exam. Value: Moderate in intelligence roles; better for cybersecurity pivots.
Commercial intelligence certifications - Various private sector intelligence certifications exist but aren't widely recognized. Focus on proven education and experience instead.
The skills gap (what you need to learn)
Let's be honest about what civilian intelligence work requires that you might not have:
Advanced analytical tools: Many contractor positions use commercial intelligence platforms (Palantir, Analyst Notebook, ArcGIS, etc.). You'll learn on the job, but familiarity with data analysis tools helps. Take free online courses in Excel, Tableau, or Python basics.
Business communication: Military briefing style works, but civilian organizations want polished PowerPoint presentations and professional email communication. Your writing is probably fine, but polish your business communication skills.
Civilian organizational culture: Defense contractors have deadlines, billable hours, and corporate politics. Federal agencies have bureaucracy and slower decision cycles. Private sector wants fast answers for paying clients. The mission is different—adapt your expectations.
Networking and self-promotion: In the military, your performance speaks for itself. In the civilian world, you need to network, maintain LinkedIn, attend conferences, and advocate for yourself. Get comfortable with it.
Commercial tools and technology: You're used to classified systems. Civilian employers use Microsoft Office, Slack, SharePoint, Zoom. Basic IT literacy is assumed.
Real 0204 success stories
Sarah, 29, former 0204 → Intelligence analyst at Booz Allen Hamilton
After 5 years as an air intelligence officer including two deployments, Sarah transitioned with an active TS/SCI. She applied to 15 defense contractors, got 7 interviews, and 3 offers. Took a position with Booz Allen supporting DIA at $105,000. Two years later she's at $125,000 as a senior analyst. "The clearance was worth its weight in gold. Contractors called me within 48 hours of posting my resume on ClearanceJobs."
Mike, 32, former 0204 → DIA Intelligence Officer (GS-13)
Mike did 6 years as a 0204, got out as a Captain. Used his GI Bill to get a master's in international relations while working part-time as a contractor. Applied to DIA, went through 14-month hiring process, and started as a GS-12. Promoted to GS-13 after 2 years. Now makes $118,000 with locality pay, full federal benefits, and pension. "The slower pace was frustrating at first, but job security and mission focus make it worth it."
Jessica, 31, former 0204 → Threat intelligence manager at Microsoft
Jessica left after 5 years, wanted to leave defense work entirely. Transitioned to private sector threat intelligence at a Fortune 500 tech company. Started at $95,000 as an analyst, now manages a team at $145,000. "My military intelligence background gave me instant credibility. Corporate threat intelligence is faster-paced than government work, but I'm analyzing cybersecurity threats instead of enemy air defenses."
Tom, 34, former 0204 → FBI Intelligence Analyst
Tom applied to FBI after 7 years as a 0204. Hiring process took 18 months (background investigation, polygraph, medical screening). Started as a GS-11 intelligence analyst at $72,000, now GS-13 at $110,000 after 4 years. "It's government bureaucracy, but I'm working counterterrorism intelligence that matters. And I'll retire with a federal pension."
Action plan: Your first 90 days out
Here's your step-by-step transition roadmap:
Month 1: Foundation and assessment
-
Week 1-2:
- Get 10 certified copies of your DD-214
- Verify your security clearance status (contact your S-2 or check DISS)
- Apply for VA benefits if eligible
- Create civilian email (firstname.lastname@gmail.com—not "devildog420")
- Set up LinkedIn profile with professional photo
-
Week 3-4:
- Update resume using civilian terminology (reference translation table above)
- Register on ClearanceJobs.com (primary job board for intelligence positions)
- Create USAJOBS account (for federal positions)
- Research 3 target companies/agencies that interest you
- Join LinkedIn groups for intelligence professionals and veterans
Month 2: Applications and networking
-
Week 5-6:
- Apply to 15-20 positions (mix of contractor, federal, private sector)
- Tailor resume for each application (emphasize relevant skills)
- Connect with 20 intelligence professionals on LinkedIn (other 0204s, recruiters, hiring managers)
- Attend virtual veteran hiring events
- Contact 3 defense contractor recruiters directly
-
Week 7-8:
- Continue applications (10+ per week)
- Prepare for interviews: practice explaining your intelligence work in civilian terms
- Get professional interview outfit if you don't have one
- Research company/agency interview processes online
- Follow up on applications (email recruiters if you have contacts)
Month 3: Interviews and decision-making
-
Week 9-10:
- Interview phase (hopefully)
- Practice STAR method for behavioral interview questions
- Prepare portfolio of unclassified work examples (sanitized briefings, writing samples)
- Ask intelligent questions about clearance requirements, team structure, growth opportunities
- Send thank-you emails after every interview
-
Week 11-12:
- Evaluate offers (consider salary, clearance requirements, location, mission, growth)
- Negotiate salary if appropriate (clearance is leverage)
- Consider taking contracting role while applying to federal agencies (long hiring timelines)
- Plan relocation if needed
- Begin formal transition process once offer is accepted
Bottom line for 0204 Air Intelligence Officers
Your 0204 experience is a high-value, specialized skillset in the civilian intelligence market. You're not starting from scratch—you're entering with professional intelligence experience, leadership credentials, and likely an active security clearance.
Defense contractors will pay you $85K-150K+ to do work similar to what you did in uniform. Federal agencies offer job security, mission focus, and clear career progression to $150K+ at senior levels. Private sector companies need threat intelligence professionals and will pay well for your analytical skills.
Your clearance is currency—maintain it if at all possible. With an active TS/SCI, you're immediately competitive for six-figure positions.
First-year civilian income of $80K-110K is realistic for 0204s with clearances. Within 5 years, $120K-150K+ is achievable with strategic career moves.
Thousands of military intelligence officers have successfully transitioned before you. The demand is there. The opportunities are there. Now execute your transition plan with the same focus you brought to intelligence operations.
Semper Fi, and good luck in your next mission.
Ready to start your intelligence career transition? Use the career planning tools at Military Transition Toolkit to map your intelligence skills, research cleared positions, and track your applications.