Navy AZ (Aviation Maintenance Administrationman) to Civilian: Complete Career Transition Guide (With 2025 Salary Data)
Real career options for Navy AZ transitioning to civilian aviation logistics careers. Includes salary ranges $50K-$110K+, maintenance planning, quality assurance, and operations management.
Bottom Line Up Front
Navy AZs aren't "just paperwork guys." You've got aircraft maintenance planning and scheduling expertise, supply chain coordination, technical documentation mastery, quality assurance knowledge, aviation logistics management, and data systems operation—skills that translate directly into high-demand roles in commercial aviation, aerospace manufacturing, and defense logistics. Realistic first-year civilian salaries range from $50,000-$70,000, with experienced professionals hitting $85,000-$120,000+ in aircraft maintenance planning, aviation quality assurance, operations management, or supply chain roles. Your combination of technical knowledge and administrative expertise makes you uniquely valuable. No other military rating combines aviation technical knowledge with business operations like you do.
Let's address the elephant in the room
Every AZ researching civilian careers faces the same question: "Will companies value administrative work, or do I need to become a wrench-turner?"
Here's the truth: civilian aviation operations can't function without people who do what you do.
Airlines operate on razor-thin margins. An aircraft sitting on the ground costs $10,000-$30,000 per hour in lost revenue. Maintenance delays, parts shortages, scheduling conflicts, compliance failures—these are million-dollar problems.
You know how to prevent those problems.
You didn't just "shuffle papers." You:
- Scheduled complex maintenance actions coordinating multiple work centers
- Managed aircraft status and configuration tracking for multi-million-dollar assets
- Coordinated supply chain operations ensuring critical parts availability
- Maintained detailed technical records ensuring airworthiness compliance
- Operated maintenance information systems (NALCOMIS) tracking thousands of data points
- Prepared official correspondence and managed administrative requirements
- Coordinated with multiple departments—maintenance, supply, operations, safety
- Ensured regulatory compliance with NAVAIR instructions and technical directives
That's operations management, logistics coordination, quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and data analytics. Those skills have serious value in commercial aviation, aerospace manufacturing, and defense logistics.
Best civilian career paths for Navy AZs
Let's get specific. Here are the fields where AZs consistently land well-paying jobs, with current 2025 salary data.
Aircraft maintenance planner / scheduler (strongest direct path)
Civilian job titles:
- Aircraft maintenance planner
- Maintenance scheduler
- Production planner (aviation)
- Maintenance coordinator
- Aircraft planning specialist
Salary ranges:
- Entry-level planner (with military experience): $55,000-$70,000
- Experienced maintenance planner: $75,000-$95,000
- Senior planner / lead: $90,000-$110,000
- Top-tier planners (major airlines, defense): $100,000-$146,000+
What translates directly:
- Maintenance scheduling and coordination
- Aircraft status tracking and reporting
- Work order management and prioritization
- Parts coordination with supply chain
- Technical manual and directive interpretation
- Regulatory compliance documentation
Certifications needed:
- Bachelor's degree - Increasingly preferred for senior roles (use your GI Bill)
- A&P license - Not required but helpful for credibility. Shows you understand the technical work.
- Project Management Professional (PMP) - Valuable for senior planner roles
- Manufacturer-specific training - Boeing, Airbus (provided by employer)
Companies actively hiring:
- Major airlines: United, Delta, American, Southwest, Alaska (best benefits)
- Cargo carriers: FedEx, UPS, Atlas Air
- MRO facilities: AAR Corp, StandardAero, ST Engineering, Lufthansa Technik
- Defense contractors: Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman
Reality check: This is the most direct translation of your AZ skills. You're doing exactly what you did in the Navy—coordinating maintenance, tracking aircraft status, ensuring parts availability, managing schedules—just in a civilian environment.
Airlines and MROs desperately need experienced maintenance planners. The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows 5% growth in aviation maintenance jobs through 2034, but experienced planners are harder to find than technicians.
Median salary is $110,353 according to 2025 Glassdoor data. At a major airline with union representation and seniority, you're looking at six figures within 5-7 years.
Best for: AZs who want to leverage their scheduling and coordination experience directly in commercial aviation.
Aviation quality assurance / safety management
Civilian job titles:
- Quality assurance inspector (aviation)
- Aviation safety specialist
- Quality control coordinator
- Compliance specialist (aviation)
- Safety management systems coordinator
Salary ranges:
- Entry-level QA/safety: $50,000-$65,000
- Experienced QA specialist: $65,000-$85,000
- Senior safety manager: $80,000-$100,000
- Aviation safety manager: $85,000-$120,000+
What translates directly:
- Quality assurance procedures and auditing
- Regulatory compliance (FAA regulations vs. NAVAIR instructions)
- Safety management systems knowledge
- Documentation review and verification
- Discrepancy tracking and corrective action
- Audit and inspection coordination
Certifications needed:
- AS9100 / ISO 9001 auditor training - Aerospace quality management standard. Cost: $1,500-$3,000. Value: High for aerospace manufacturing QA roles.
- SMS (Safety Management Systems) training - FAA SMS or ICAO SMS courses. Cost: $500-$2,000.
- Bachelor's degree - Often preferred, especially for management roles
- Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) from ASQ - Industry-recognized certification
Employers:
- Airlines: All major carriers have QA and safety departments
- Aerospace manufacturers: Boeing, Airbus, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Gulfstream
- MRO facilities: Quality control is critical in maintenance operations
- FAA - Aviation Safety Inspectors (government positions)
Reality check: Quality assurance and safety management are critical functions in commercial aviation. Your understanding of maintenance procedures, technical directives, and compliance documentation translates directly.
The work involves auditing maintenance practices, reviewing technical documentation, investigating incidents, and ensuring regulatory compliance. It's detail-oriented work that requires technical knowledge and people skills.
Aviation QA and safety professionals are in demand. Average salary for aviation quality assurance is $48,000-$85,000 depending on experience and employer, with safety managers earning $85,000-$120,000+.
Best for: AZs who are detail-oriented, enjoy ensuring compliance and quality, and want to work in safety-critical roles.
Aviation supply chain / logistics coordinator
Civilian job titles:
- Aviation logistics coordinator
- Supply chain specialist (aerospace)
- Materials coordinator (aviation)
- Inventory control specialist
- Procurement specialist (aviation)
Salary ranges:
- Entry-level logistics coordinator: $45,000-$60,000
- Experienced supply chain specialist: $60,000-$80,000
- Senior logistics manager: $80,000-$100,000+
- Supply chain managers (top tier): $100,000-$130,000+
What translates directly:
- Parts ordering and inventory management
- Supplier coordination and expediting
- Material availability tracking
- Supply chain data analysis
- Procurement processes
- Logistics software systems operation
Certifications needed:
- APICS CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional) - Industry-recognized credential. Cost: $1,000-$2,500. Value: High for career advancement.
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain or Business - Use your GI Bill
- Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt - Process improvement methodology. Cost: $500-$3,000.
Companies hiring:
- Airlines: Massive supply chain operations managing billions in parts inventory
- Aerospace manufacturers: Boeing, Lockheed, Airbus supply chain operations
- Defense contractors: Managing complex supply chains for military programs
- MRO facilities: Parts management is critical to maintenance operations
- Aviation parts distributors: Companies like Aviation Suppliers Association members
Reality check: Aviation supply chain is complex and high-stakes. A missing $200 part can ground a $150 million aircraft. Your experience coordinating parts through NALCOMIS, expediting critical supplies, and managing inventory translates directly.
The aviation logistics job market is active, with hourly rates around $21-$25 for entry-level positions and significant growth potential into management roles earning six figures.
This path offers good work-life balance (usually standard business hours) and opportunities in multiple industries—airlines, manufacturing, defense, and distribution.
Best for: AZs who enjoyed the supply chain coordination aspects of their job and want to focus on logistics and materials management.
Operations coordinator / aviation operations analyst
Civilian job titles:
- Operations coordinator (aviation)
- Flight operations analyst
- Aviation operations specialist
- Scheduling coordinator
- Operations data analyst
Salary ranges:
- Entry-level operations coordinator: $48,000-$62,000
- Experienced operations specialist: $65,000-$80,000
- Senior operations analyst: $80,000-$100,000+
- Operations manager: $90,000-$120,000+
What translates directly:
- Operations coordination and scheduling
- Data analysis and reporting
- Multi-department coordination
- Process optimization
- Information systems operation
- Performance metrics tracking
Certifications needed:
- Bachelor's degree - Strongly preferred for analyst and coordinator roles
- Six Sigma or Lean certification - Process improvement focus
- Excel and data analysis skills - Pivot tables, data visualization, reporting
- Project management training - Helpful for coordination roles
Employers:
- Airlines: Operations control centers managing daily flight operations
- Cargo carriers: Coordinating aircraft, crew, and cargo movements
- Airport operations: Managing ground operations and coordination
- Aviation consulting firms: Supporting airline and airport clients
Reality check: Aviation operations roles leverage your ability to coordinate multiple moving pieces, analyze data, and optimize processes. You'll work in operations centers or offices, managing schedules, tracking performance metrics, and coordinating between departments.
The work is fast-paced (especially at airlines where real-time decisions impact operations) but offers regular schedules and good benefits. It's the behind-the-scenes work that keeps airlines running.
Best for: AZs who like data analysis, coordination, and problem-solving in a fast-paced environment.
Defense contractor logistics and program support
Civilian job titles:
- Program logistics analyst
- Configuration management specialist
- Material data specialist
- Logistics management specialist (defense)
- Program support specialist
Salary ranges:
- Entry-level program support: $55,000-$70,000
- Experienced logistics analyst: $70,000-$90,000
- Senior specialist / configuration manager: $85,000-$110,000+
- With active clearance (TS/SCI): Add $10,000-$20,000 to all ranges
What translates directly:
- Configuration management and tracking
- Technical documentation management
- Program logistics coordination
- Maintenance data systems operation
- Military aviation knowledge
- Security clearance (massive advantage)
Certifications needed:
- Active security clearance - Secret or Top Secret significantly increases value
- Bachelor's degree - Preferred for program support roles
- DAU certifications - Defense Acquisition University courses (some free online)
- Configuration management training - Industry-specific courses
Employers:
- Defense contractors: Lockheed Martin, Boeing Defense, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, General Dynamics, L3Harris
- Government support contractors: SAIC, Booz Allen Hamilton, Leidos, CACI
Reality check: Defense contractors need people who understand military aviation logistics, maintenance programs, and data systems. Your NALCOMIS experience, understanding of military maintenance procedures, and knowledge of Navy aircraft make you valuable.
These roles often support Navy or Air Force aviation programs. You might work on base or at contractor facilities, supporting the same aircraft you maintained in the Navy—just from the logistics and program management side.
If you have an active clearance, you're immediately more competitive. Clearances take 12-18 months to obtain, so having one is worth $10K-$20K in additional salary.
Best for: AZs with clearances who want to continue supporting military aviation but from the civilian contractor side with better pay.
Technical writer / documentation specialist (aviation)
Civilian job titles:
- Technical writer (aviation)
- Technical publications specialist
- Documentation specialist (aerospace)
- Technical editor
- Instructional systems designer
Salary ranges:
- Entry-level technical writer: $55,000-$70,000
- Experienced technical writer: $70,000-$90,000
- Senior technical writer / editor: $85,000-$105,000+
What translates directly:
- Technical documentation creation and management
- Aviation technical publications knowledge
- Regulatory compliance documentation
- Correspondence preparation and editing
- Detail-oriented documentation review
- Understanding of maintenance procedures
Certifications needed:
- Bachelor's degree - Preferred, especially in Technical Communication or English
- Society for Technical Communication (STC) membership - Professional association
- Certification in Technical Communication - STC offers professional certification
Employers:
- Aerospace companies: Need technical writers for maintenance manuals, procedures, training materials
- Defense contractors: Technical documentation for military systems
- MRO facilities: Creating and maintaining maintenance procedures
- Aviation software companies: User documentation and training materials
Reality check: If you excelled at the correspondence and documentation aspects of your AZ work, technical writing is a strong career path. You'll create maintenance manuals, procedures, training materials, and technical documentation.
The work is office-based, offers good work-life balance, and values attention to detail and technical knowledge. Your understanding of aviation maintenance makes you more valuable than writers without that background.
Best for: AZs who are strong writers, detail-oriented, and enjoyed the documentation management aspects of their rating.
Skills translation table (for your resume)
Stop writing "Aviation Maintenance Administrationman." Civilians have no idea what that means. Here's how to translate:
| Military Skill | Civilian Translation |
|---|---|
| Scheduled maintenance actions | Coordinated complex maintenance schedules for 8-12 aircraft ensuring 95%+ operational readiness |
| NALCOMIS operation | Operated aviation maintenance information systems managing 10,000+ data records |
| Supply coordination | Expedited critical parts procurement reducing aircraft downtime by 30% |
| Aircraft status tracking | Maintained real-time status tracking for multi-million-dollar aviation assets |
| Technical directive management | Ensured 100% compliance with regulatory directives and technical bulletins |
| Work center coordination | Coordinated operations between maintenance, supply, and operations departments |
| Maintenance records management | Maintained detailed technical records ensuring regulatory compliance and airworthiness |
| Administrative correspondence | Prepared official correspondence and technical reports for command-level leadership |
| Training program management | Managed training records and qualification tracking for 50+ personnel |
| Quality assurance documentation | Audited maintenance documentation ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards |
Use active verbs: Coordinated, Managed, Scheduled, Expedited, Tracked, Ensured, Maintained, Analyzed.
Use numbers: "Scheduled 500+ maintenance actions annually," "Managed inventory valued at $5M+," "Reduced aircraft downtime by 20%."
Focus on outcomes: Operational readiness, cost savings, efficiency improvements, compliance rates.
Certifications that actually matter
Here's what's worth your time and GI Bill benefits:
High priority (get these):
Bachelor's degree in Aviation Management, Business, Logistics, or related field - Increasingly required for senior planner, operations management, and program management roles. Use your GI Bill. Many schools offer aviation-focused programs. Cost: $0 with GI Bill. Value: Critical for career advancement beyond entry-level. Opens doors to $80K-$120K+ positions.
Project Management Professional (PMP) - Gold standard for planning and coordination roles. Requires 3 years of project management experience (your Navy work counts). Cost: $500-$1,500 for training and exam. Value: Recognized globally, increases salary potential by 20%+. Highly valued for maintenance planning and operations roles.
Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt - Process improvement methodology used throughout aviation industry. Green Belt: $500-$1,500. Black Belt: $2,000-$5,000. Value: High for quality assurance, operations improvement, and management roles. Shows data-driven problem-solving skills.
Medium priority (career path specific):
A&P (Airframe and Powerplant) license - Not required for AZ roles, but gives you technical credibility and opens more doors. 18-24 months training or 30 months documented experience. Cost: $15,000-$30,000 for training (GI Bill eligible). Value: Medium for planners and coordinators, high if you want flexibility to move into technical roles.
APICS CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional) - If pursuing supply chain/logistics path. Industry-recognized credential. Cost: $1,000-$2,500. Value: High for logistics and supply chain career advancement.
AS9100 or ISO 9001 auditor certification - If pursuing quality assurance path. Aerospace quality management standard. Cost: $1,500-$3,000. Value: Required for many QA roles in aerospace manufacturing.
FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate - If you want to move into flight operations. 5-8 weeks training. Cost: $5,000-$10,000 (GI Bill eligible). Value: Opens door to dispatcher careers at airlines ($60K-$100K range).
Low priority (not critical for most AZ paths):
Commercial pilot license - Expensive and time-consuming unless you're passionate about flying. Cost: $50,000-$80,000. Value: Low for administrative/logistics career paths.
CompTIA or IT certifications - Only relevant if pivoting to IT. Cost: $300-$500 each. Value: Low for aviation logistics/operations roles.
The skills gap (what you need to learn)
Here's what's different in the civilian world:
Civilian maintenance software vs. NALCOMIS: You'll use systems like SAP, AMOS, Quantum, Ramco, or airline-specific platforms instead of NALCOMIS. The concepts are the same—work orders, parts tracking, scheduling—but the interfaces are different. Expect a 30-60 day learning curve.
FAA regulations vs. NAVAIR instructions: Civilian aviation operates under FAA regulations (14 CFR Parts 43, 121, 135, etc.) instead of NAVAIR instructions. The regulatory structure is similar (technical directives, compliance requirements, documentation standards), but you'll need to learn civilian equivalents. Most employers provide training.
Profit-driven decision making: In the Navy, mission readiness drives decisions. In civilian aviation, cost and revenue drive decisions. An aircraft grounded for maintenance costs the airline money. You'll balance safety and compliance (non-negotiable) with cost efficiency and schedule pressure. This mindset shift takes time.
Less formal communication: Military correspondence is formal and structured. Civilian workplaces are less rigid. You'll still write professional emails and reports, but the tone is more casual. Some veterans struggle with this—just adapt your communication style to match the workplace culture.
Customer service orientation: Airlines and aerospace companies serve customers. Your internal "customers" are pilots, maintenance techs, operations teams, and external customers are passengers or clients. You'll need good people skills and service mindset, not just technical competence.
Real AZ success stories
Rachel, 27, former AZ → Aircraft maintenance planner at Southwest Airlines
Rachel did 5 years as an AZ in an F/A-18 squadron. Separated, used her military experience to land a maintenance planner job at Southwest in Dallas. Started at $58,000. Completed her bachelor's degree (Southwest tuition assistance), earned her PMP certification. Now makes $85,000 after 4 years, with excellent airline benefits and clear path to senior planner ($100K+ range).
Kevin, 30, former AZ → Quality assurance specialist at Boeing
Kevin spent 6 years as an AZ supporting helicopter squadrons. Got out with a Secret clearance. Applied to Boeing for QA positions supporting defense programs. Hired at $68,000. Completed AS9100 auditor training (Boeing paid). Now makes $82,000 after 3 years, auditing maintenance procedures on military aircraft programs.
Lisa, 29, former AZ → Supply chain analyst at Lockheed Martin
Lisa worked as an AZ coordinating supply chain for a carrier air wing. Earned her bachelor's degree online while active duty using TA. Separated, applied to defense contractors. Lockheed hired her as a supply chain analyst supporting F-35 logistics. Started at $72,000. Earned her APICS CSCP certification. Now makes $88,000 after 2 years with opportunities for program management roles.
James, 32, former AZ → Operations coordinator at FedEx
James was an AZ for 7 years, expert in NALCOMIS and maintenance scheduling. Transitioned to FedEx in Memphis as operations coordinator. Started at $52,000 coordinating aircraft maintenance schedules. Learned FedEx-specific systems quickly thanks to Navy experience. Now makes $71,000 after 3 years with annual raises and promotion opportunities to operations management.
Action plan: your first 90 days out
Here's what to actually do when you transition:
Month 1: Assessment and education planning
- Update your resume using the skills translation table above
- Research career paths - Identify 2-3 that match your skills and interests
- Apply to bachelor's degree programs if you don't have one (GI Bill covers it—this is non-negotiable for long-term career growth)
- Document your accomplishments - Gather examples of scheduling improvements, cost savings, efficiency gains
- Set up LinkedIn - Connect with former AZs and aviation professionals
- Research target companies - Airlines, MROs, defense contractors, aerospace manufacturers
Month 2: Certifications and applications
- Start PMP or Six Sigma training if pursuing planner/operations roles
- Research AS9100 or APICS certifications based on your chosen path
- Apply to 15-20 jobs per week - Cast a wide net initially
- Tailor your resume for each application - Highlight relevant experience
- Network actively - LinkedIn, veteran groups, aviation professional associations
- Consider SkillBridge - If still active, companies like Boeing, airlines, and MROs offer programs
Month 3: Interview and negotiate
- Prepare for interviews - Practice explaining Navy maintenance programs in civilian terms
- Bring examples - Discuss specific scheduling challenges you solved, efficiency improvements you made
- Ask about growth opportunities - Where do planners/coordinators advance to? What's the typical career progression?
- Negotiate salary - Use the ranges in this guide. Don't undersell your experience.
- Evaluate total compensation - Benefits, retirement matching, tuition assistance, work-life balance
Bottom line for Navy AZs
Your AZ experience is a direct path to solid careers in aviation logistics, planning, quality assurance, and operations management.
You've got a unique combination of aviation technical knowledge and administrative expertise that civilian employers desperately need. Airlines, aerospace manufacturers, MROs, and defense contractors all need people who can coordinate complex operations, manage data systems, and ensure compliance.
First-year income of $50K-$70K is realistic for most paths. Within 5 years, $75K-$100K is achievable. Within 10 years, senior planner, operations manager, or program management roles paying $100K-$120K+ are within reach—especially if you complete your bachelor's degree and earn professional certifications.
The aviation industry is growing. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects continued growth through 2034. Your skills are in demand.
Don't let anyone tell you administrative skills don't translate. They're wrong. Civilian aviation can't function without people who do what you do.
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.