Marine Corps 6073 Aircraft Support Equipment Electrician/Refrigeration Technician to Civilian: Complete Career Transition Guide (2024-2025 Salary Data)

Bottom Line Up Front

Marine Corps 6073 Aircraft Support Equipment (SE) Electrician/Refrigeration and Engine/Gas Turbine Technicians maintain the electrical systems, refrigeration and air-conditioning units, and gas turbine prime movers that power aviation ground equipment, and those hands-on skills transfer directly to civilian electrician, HVAC-R, generator, and gas turbine careers. You troubleshoot mobile electric power plants, gas turbine generators, and air-conditioning carts, working across high-voltage electrical, refrigeration circuits, and turbine engines. That is three in-demand trades under one MOS. Realistic first-year salaries run $45,000 to $58,000. A skilled electrician, HVAC-R, or generator technician earns $60,000 to $85,000, and a senior or gas turbine field technician reaches $88,000 to $115,000+. The Bureau of Labor Statistics put HVACR mechanics near a $59,610 median, electricians near $62,350, and industrial machinery mechanics near $62,000 in 2024, with industrial gas turbine techs running $70,000 to $95,000. Your training gives you a real head start. You mostly need the right licenses and the right way to describe what you already do.

Let's address the elephant in the room

You spent years keeping the power and climate systems of aviation ground equipment running: mobile electric power plants, gas turbine generators, and air-conditioning carts. You chase electrical faults, recharge and repair refrigeration systems, and rebuild turbine prime movers, often on the same shift.

Then you read a civilian job post that wants "journeyman electrician license" or "EPA 608 certification" or "5 years gas turbine experience," and you wonder whether your record even counts.

Here is the reality: your 6073 experience covers three trades that civilian employers are all short on. They just do not know how to read a military record.

You did not just "fix ground equipment." You:

• Maintained and repaired the electrical systems, generators, and power distribution on mobile electric power plants and support equipment
• Serviced refrigeration and air-conditioning units, diagnosing refrigerant, compressor, and control faults
• Maintained and repaired gas turbine engines and prime movers that drive ground power and air units
• Troubleshot across electrical, refrigeration, and turbine systems to isolate failed components
• Followed technical manuals and safety procedures with full documentation
• Worked with high voltage, refrigerants, and rotating machinery where a mistake is dangerous
• Kept a fleet of power and climate equipment available under operational pressure

That is electrical, HVAC-R, and rotating machinery experience in one person. Utilities, data centers, hospitals, industrial plants, and generator and turbine service companies pay real money for a technician who can cross those lines.

The problem is not your ability. It is translating a military maintenance record into civilian licenses and language a hiring manager understands.

Best civilian career paths for MOS 6073

Here are the fields where 6073 technicians land consistently, with current salary data grounded in Bureau of Labor Statistics figures.

Industrial / commercial electrician

Civilian job titles:

• Industrial Electrician
• Commercial Electrician
• Maintenance Electrician
• Electrical Technician

Salary ranges:

• Apprentice / entry electrician: $45,000-$58,000
• Journeyman electrician: $60,000-$80,000
• Senior / industrial electrician: $80,000-$98,000
• Master electrician / lead: $95,000-$115,000+

Employers and industries:

• Manufacturing and heavy industry
• Utilities and power generation
• Commercial construction and electrical contractors
• Data centers
• Facilities and building maintenance

What translates directly:

• Electrical troubleshooting and fault isolation
• Power distribution, generators, and switchgear
• Reading electrical schematics and wiring diagrams
• Motor and control circuit work
• Safety discipline around high voltage

Certifications needed:

• State electrician license (apprentice to journeyman to master), the key credential
• Apprenticeship hours, though military electrical experience may count toward them in many states
• OSHA 10/30 and NFPA 70E arc-flash safety

Reality check:

Your work on mobile electric power plants and power distribution maps directly onto industrial and commercial electrical work. The catch is licensing: most states require documented apprenticeship hours and a journeyman exam. The good news is that many states let you apply qualifying military electrical experience toward those hours, so ask your state licensing board and your local IBEW or ABC apprenticeship about advanced standing. Electricians had a 2024 median near $62,350, and industrial electricians and those with a master license run well above that. This is one of the most stable, well-paid trades in the country.

Best for: 6073s who liked the electrical side most and are willing to work through the licensing process for a high-ceiling trade.

HVAC-R (refrigeration) technician

Civilian job titles:

• HVAC-R Technician
• Refrigeration Technician
• Commercial HVAC Technician
• Facilities HVAC Mechanic

Salary ranges:

• Entry-level HVAC-R tech: $45,000-$56,000
• Experienced HVAC-R tech: $56,000-$74,000
• Commercial / industrial refrigeration tech: $72,000-$92,000
• Senior / lead tech: $88,000-$105,000+

Industries hiring:

• Commercial HVAC and refrigeration contractors
• Grocery, cold storage, and food processing
• Hospitals and healthcare facilities
• Data centers (precision cooling)
• Facilities and building maintenance

What translates directly:

• Refrigeration circuit diagnosis (compressors, evaporators, condensers)
• Refrigerant handling and charging
• Electrical controls and troubleshooting
• Reading schematics and technical manuals
• Preventive maintenance discipline

Certifications needed:

• EPA Section 608 certification (required by law to handle refrigerants), inexpensive and quick
• HVAC Excellence or NATE certification for pay and mobility
• OSHA 10/30

Reality check:

Your refrigeration and air-conditioning work on SE cooling units is the same refrigeration cycle that runs a grocery rack or a data center cooling loop. EPA 608 is a legal requirement to touch refrigerant and is cheap and fast to earn. Commercial and industrial refrigeration pays more than residential HVAC, and your electrical background is a bonus because so many HVAC faults are electrical. HVACR mechanics had a 2024 median near $59,610, with commercial and industrial specialists running higher. Demand is strong and steady.

Best for: 6073s who liked the refrigeration side and want a quick-to-enter trade with commercial and industrial upside.

Generator / power generation technician

Civilian job titles:

• Generator Technician
• Power Generation Technician
• Field Service Technician (Generators)
• Standby Power Technician

Salary ranges:

• Entry-level generator tech: $46,000-$58,000
• Experienced generator tech: $58,000-$78,000
• Senior / field service tech: $78,000-$98,000
• Lead / master tech: $92,000-$110,000+

Industries hiring:

• Generator dealers and service providers (Generac, Cummins, Caterpillar, Kohler)
• Data centers and critical facilities
• Hospitals and utilities
• Rental power companies (Aggreko, United Rentals)
• Telecom and standby power

What translates directly:

• Generator and prime mover maintenance and repair
• Electrical power generation and distribution
• Engine (and turbine) troubleshooting
• Control system and transfer switch work
• Load testing and commissioning

Certifications needed:

• Manufacturer training (Generac, Cummins, Kohler), usually employer paid
• EGSA certification for power generation
• Electrician license helps but is not always required
• Driver's license or CDL for field service

Reality check:

Mobile electric power plants are generators. This is one of the most direct translations of your MOS, and the industry is hungry for techs as data centers, hospitals, and critical facilities expand standby power. Field service roles come with a truck, a travel premium, and strong independence. Your combination of electrical and engine experience is exactly what generator service demands, and if your SE gas turbine background applies, it maps to the higher end of this field.

Best for: 6073s who want the most direct translation of the power-generation side and do not mind field service travel.

Industrial gas turbine technician

Civilian job titles:

• Gas Turbine Technician
• Turbine Field Service Technician
• Rotating Equipment Technician
• Power Plant Technician

Salary ranges:

• Entry-level turbine tech: $55,000-$68,000
• Experienced gas turbine tech: $70,000-$95,000
• Senior field service turbine tech: $95,000-$115,000+
• Traveling / outage specialist: $105,000-$130,000+ with per diem and overtime

Industries hiring:

• Power generation utilities and independent power producers
• Turbine OEMs and service providers (GE Vernova, Siemens Energy, Solar Turbines, Mitsubishi Power)
• Oil and gas (mechanical drive turbines)
• Marine and industrial cogeneration

What translates directly:

• Gas turbine engine maintenance and overhaul
• Rotating machinery inspection and troubleshooting
• Combustion, fuel, and control system work
• Reading technical manuals and clearances
• Precision measurement and assembly

Certifications needed:

• OEM turbine training (GE, Siemens, Solar), usually employer provided
• OSHA 10/30 and confined space / rigging safety
• A&P is not required for industrial turbines, though it helps at aero-derivative shops

Reality check:

If you worked the gas turbine and prime mover side of SE, this is a genuinely high-paying path. Industrial gas turbines share the same combustion, fuel, and rotating-machinery principles as the turbines you maintained. Field service and outage work pays extremely well once you factor in per diem and overtime, and OEMs train you on their specific machines. The tradeoff is heavy travel and long outage hours, but the pay reflects it. Industrial turbine techs commonly run $70,000 to $95,000, with senior field roles higher.

Best for: 6073s who worked turbines, want maximum pay, and are willing to travel for outages.

Skills translation table (for your resume)

Stop writing "6073 SE Electrician/Refrigeration Tech" with no context. Civilians do not know what support equipment means. Translate it:

Military Skill	Civilian Translation
SE electrical system maintenance	Maintained and repaired electrical systems, generators, and power distribution on mobile power equipment
Mobile electric power plant repair	Diagnosed and repaired diesel and turbine-driven generator sets and power distribution systems
Refrigeration / A/C unit repair	Serviced refrigeration and air-conditioning units including compressor, refrigerant, and control diagnosis
Gas turbine / prime mover maintenance	Maintained and overhauled gas turbine engines and rotating prime movers
Multi-system troubleshooting	Troubleshot across electrical, refrigeration, and turbine systems to isolate failed components
Electrical schematic interpretation	Read and applied electrical schematics and wiring diagrams to fault isolation
Refrigerant handling	Handled and charged refrigerants following safety and environmental procedures
Technical manual and documentation	Interpreted technical manuals and documented all maintenance actions with full traceability
Fleet availability	Maintained readiness and availability across a fleet of power and climate control equipment

Key resume terms to use:

• "Power generation" and "generator sets" (recognized across utilities and generator service)
• "Refrigeration" and "HVAC-R" (the civilian umbrella for A/C and cooling work)
• "Electrical distribution" and "controls" (standard electrician language)
• "Rotating machinery" (turbine and generator industry term)
• "Preventive maintenance" (civilian term for PMCS)
• "High voltage safety" (valued everywhere electrical work happens)

Use numbers: "Maintained 20+ generator sets and cooling units," "Achieved 96% equipment availability," "Isolated and repaired 300+ electrical faults." Drop the acronyms. Do not write "Repaired NC-10 mobile electric power plants and A/M32C-10 A/C units." Write "Repaired diesel and turbine generator sets and mobile air-conditioning units across a ground support equipment fleet."

Certifications that actually matter

Here is where to spend your time and GI Bill for the biggest return.

High priority (get these first):

EPA Section 608 Certification

Legally required to handle refrigerants for any HVAC-R work. It is cheap, fast, and non-negotiable if you go the refrigeration route.

• Cost: roughly $20-$150 depending on provider
• Time: a short study window and one exam
• Value: Required by law; without it you cannot touch refrigerant

State Electrician License (apprentice toward journeyman)

The key credential for the electrician path. Many states let qualifying military electrical experience count toward apprenticeship hours.

• Cost: exam and license fees, plus any required coursework
• Time: varies by state; ask about advanced standing for military experience
• Value: Journeyman and master licenses unlock the highest-paid electrical roles
• Route: Contact your state licensing board and a local IBEW or ABC apprenticeship about credit for your service

Medium priority (after you land the first job):

Manufacturer / OEM training (generators and turbines)

Brand training on Generac, Cummins, Kohler, GE, Siemens, or Solar Turbines. Usually employer paid and makes you the specialist on that equipment.

• Cost: typically employer funded
• Value: Directly raises your value in generator and turbine service

NATE or HVAC Excellence certification

Formalizes your HVAC-R skills and helps with pay and mobility beyond EPA 608.

• Cost: modest test fees
• Value: Signals competence to commercial and industrial HVAC employers

EGSA certification (power generation)

The recognized credential for the generator and standby power field.

• Cost: modest
• Value: Helps at generator dealers, rental power, and critical facilities

Low priority (nice to have, not urgent):

OSHA 10 or 30 and NFPA 70E

Cheap, quick, and expected across electrical, HVAC, and industrial work. NFPA 70E arc-flash training is especially valued for electrical roles. Get them once you know your lane.

FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P)

Relevant only if your SE work overlapped hands-on aircraft maintenance and you want to move onto aircraft. It is not required for industrial electrical, HVAC-R, generator, or industrial turbine work, so it is a low priority unless aviation is your goal. If it is, you may qualify to test on the experience route (14 CFR 65.77) through a local FAA Flight Standards District Office via the Joint Service Aviation Maintenance Technician Certification Council (JSAMTCC) process, or attend a Part 147 school on the GI Bill. This is not automatic credit.

The skills gap (what you need to learn)

Your cross-trade experience is strong. Here is what civilian employers will expect that the Marine Corps did not emphasize.

Licensing and legal credentials: In the Corps your qualification was your record. The civilian world runs on licenses: EPA 608 to touch refrigerant, a state electrician license to pull permits, OEM certifications for generators and turbines. The skills are already there. This is mostly about earning the paper that lets you use them legally.

Code and standards knowledge: Civilian electrical work follows the National Electrical Code (NEC), and HVAC work follows local mechanical codes. Military systems taught you the fundamentals; you now learn the specific codes and how inspections work. Apprenticeship and 608 study cover much of it.

Customer and non-technical communication: In the Corps you briefed your chain in acronyms. Civilian customers and facility managers do not know what a CASREP or a mule is. Practice plain language: "Your standby generator failed its load test because the coolant sensor is bad. I can have it back online tomorrow."

Civilian workplace culture: Less formality, first names, and a profit motive. Every hour has a cost or a bill attached. Show up, be efficient, document your time, and your work ethic will stand out.

Self-directed learning: The Marine Corps handed you formal schools and manuals. Civilian employers expect you to chase down code books, OEM bulletins, and wiring diagrams yourself. Build the habit of independent troubleshooting beyond the manual in front of you.

Real 6073 success stories

Andre, 28, former 6073 SE Electrician/Refrigeration Tech to Industrial Electrician

After five years on mobile power plants and electrical systems, Andre separated as a Sergeant. His state credited part of his military electrical experience toward apprenticeship hours, so he entered an industrial apprenticeship at $50,000 with advanced standing. He earned his journeyman license about two years later and now works as an industrial electrician at a manufacturing plant making $82,000, with a clear path to a master license.

Bianca, 31, former 6073 SE Electrician/Refrigeration Tech to Commercial Refrigeration Technician

Bianca did six years and got out as a Staff Sergeant. She earned her EPA 608 while on terminal leave and took a commercial refrigeration job with a grocery and cold-storage contractor at $54,000. Her electrical background made her faster than most new hires because so many refrigeration faults are electrical. Four years in she runs industrial refrigeration systems and clears $88,000.

Theo, 35, former 6073 SE Electrician/Refrigeration Tech to Gas Turbine Field Technician

Theo worked the gas turbine side of SE and wanted maximum pay. A turbine service provider hired him and put him through OEM training on industrial gas turbines. Starting around $68,000, he moved into traveling outage work within two years. With per diem and overtime during outage season he now clears well over $110,000, and he says the turbine fundamentals from his MOS were exactly what the job needed.

Action plan: your first 90 days out

Month 1: Documentation and foundation

Week 1-2:

• Get 10 copies of your DD-214
• Pull official copies of every maintenance course and qualification (SE electrical, refrigeration, gas turbine, generator)
• Document your OJT in detail: equipment types, systems, hours, fleet size, availability rates
• Contact your state licensing board about credit for military electrical experience toward apprenticeship hours
• File your VA disability claim if applicable
• Set up LinkedIn using civilian titles ("Industrial Electrician," "HVAC-R Technician," or "Generator Technician," not "6073")

Week 3-4:

• Rebuild your resume with the skills translation table above (use the Military Transition Toolkit resume builder)
• Decide your lane: electrician, HVAC-R, generator service, or gas turbine
• Research 3-5 target employers in that lane (contractors, generator dealers, utilities, or turbine service providers)

Month 2: Certifications and applications

Week 1-2:

• If going HVAC-R, earn your EPA 608 certification right away
• If going electrician, apply to apprenticeships (IBEW, ABC) and ask about advanced standing
• Apply to 10+ jobs per week in your chosen lane
• Connect with former Marine SE technicians on LinkedIn who made the same move

Week 3-4:

• Attend veteran job fairs with 20+ resumes
• Register with technical staffing agencies and generator/turbine service recruiters
• Line up your OSHA 10 and NFPA 70E if entering electrical work

Month 3: Interview and close

Week 1-4:

• Practice interview answers built around specific repairs ("I traced a generator no-start to a failed coolant sensor and had it back online the next day")
• Prepare a short portfolio: qualifications, awards, evaluations, and non-classified descriptions of the equipment you maintained
• Tailor each resume to the posting, mirroring their equipment where it matches yours
• Follow up on every application within one to two weeks
• If no offer yet, take an electrical, HVAC-R, or generator role to build civilian documentation

Bottom line for 6073 SE Electrician/Refrigeration Technicians

Your MOS 6073 experience is valuable and unusually broad. You kept the power and climate systems of aviation ground equipment running by crossing electrical, refrigeration, and gas turbine work. That combination translates into several of the most stable and well-paid civilian trades: electrician, HVAC-R, generator service, and industrial gas turbine work.

You are not starting over. You are starting with three trades' worth of experience that employers are all short on.

Realistic expectations:

• First-year civilian income: $45,000-$58,000 as an entry electrician, HVAC-R, or generator tech
• Three-year income with licenses and experience: $60,000-$85,000
• Five-year income with a journeyman/master license or as a gas turbine field tech: $88,000-$115,000+

The electrician path has the highest ceiling but takes the most licensing work. HVAC-R is the fastest to enter with EPA 608. Generator service is the most direct translation of your power-plant experience. Gas turbine field work pays the most if you worked turbines and will travel. Pick based on which system you liked most and how you weigh pay against licensing time and travel.

Your cross-trade skills, safety mindset, and work ethic are a real advantage. Get the right license, translate your record into civilian language, and target the employers who need exactly what you do.

Pro tip: Ask your state licensing board about military experience credit before you separate. Many states will apply qualifying electrical service toward apprenticeship hours, which can shave a year or more off your path to a journeyman license and the pay that comes with it.

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Ready to build your transition plan? Use the career planning tools at Military Transition Toolkit to map your skills, research salaries, and track your certifications.

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Sources: DoD COOL (USMC), BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers, BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Electricians, BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Industrial Machinery Mechanics