74D MOS CBRN Specialist — Civilian Career Guide
Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear specialists detect and respond to CBRN threats. Transfers to HAZMAT, environmental safety, and emergency response.
CAREER PATHS
4
TOP SALARY
$83,960.00
AVG SALARY
$73,160.00
Civilian Career Matches
Based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Salaries are national medians — your area may vary.
HAZMAT Specialist
SOC 33-9031
$46,000.00
median/yr
Environmental Health & Safety Officer
SOC 29-9011
$81,340.00
median/yr
Emergency Response Coordinator
SOC 11-9161
$83,960.00
median/yr
Industrial Hygienist
SOC 29-9011
$81,340.00
median/yr
What's your next step?
You've got the civilian career picture. Now: pick what to tackle next. Most 74D CBRN Specialist veterans separating in the next 12 months should start here.
Do this first
Start your VA disability claim
File before separation. Every day = back-pay you can't recover. Free claims tracker covers 110+ conditions.
Where to settle
Compare 50 states for veterans
Property tax exemptions, no-state-income-tax states, healthcare access. Side-by-side comparisons.
12-month roadmap
Build your transition timeline
TAP class, VA enrollment, terminal leave, TSP, SkillBridge — all the deadlines no one tells you.
Quick calculator
Estimate your VA combined rating
The VA doesn't add ratings — they use a specific formula. See your combined rating in 30 seconds.
Skills That Transfer
Recommended Certifications
These certifications can increase your salary by 10-25% and make you more competitive for civilian roles.
How to pay for these — you likely don't pay out of pocket
- GI Bill: the Post-9/11 GI Bill reimburses licensing & certification test fees up to $2,000 per exam— and it doesn't use a full month of entitlement.
- While you're still in:your branch's Credentialing Assistance program can cover the full cost of many of these certs (often several thousand dollars a year) — check Army COOL / Credentialing Assistance ↗ for what's funded and current amounts.
- Tip: start certs before you separate — Credentialing Assistance is only for currently-serving members; after separation you shift to the GI Bill.
VA conditions commonly associated with 74D service
The documented noise, physical demands, and exposures of a CBRN Specialist role are commonly linked to the conditions below. This is awareness of what this job can lead to, not a promise of a rating. The VA decides every claim on your own diagnosis and evidence. If you deal with any of these, here is how each is rated.
Repeated noise exposure without perfect hearing protection is extremely common.
See how it is rated →Weapons, engines, and flightline noise are the #1 driver of ringing in the ears.
See how it is rated →Smoke, fuels, solvents, and dust can trigger airway disease.
See how it is rated →Dust, burn pits, and irritants cause chronic sinus problems.
See how it is rated →Stress, irregular meals, and meds drive chronic reflux.
See how it is rated →Decon agents and protective gear irritate skin.
See how it is rated →A free accredited VSO can help you file any of these at no cost. Never pay a fee or a percentage of your back pay for claim help.
Translate Your 74D Experience to a Civilian Resume
Use our free resume builder to convert your CBRN Specialist skills and experience into language civilian employers understand. Built specifically for Army veterans.
74D CBRN Specialist: Frequently Asked Questions
What does a 74D CBRN Specialist do?
Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear specialists detect and respond to CBRN threats. Transfers to HAZMAT, environmental safety, and emergency response.
What civilian jobs can a 74D CBRN Specialist transition into?
Common civilian careers for a 74D (Army MOS) CBRN Specialist include HAZMAT Specialist, Environmental Health & Safety Officer, Emergency Response Coordinator, and Industrial Hygienist. These roles draw on the same skills and experience you built in service — see the full skill-to-career mapping above.
How much does a 74D CBRN Specialist make in civilian work?
Civilian roles that match a 74D CBRN Specialist have median salaries ranging from about $46,000 to $83,960 per year, depending on the role, location, and your certifications and clearance. Figures are BLS median wage data for the matched occupations.
What certifications help a 74D CBRN Specialist land a civilian job?
Certifications that strengthen a 74D CBRN Specialist resume include HAZWOPER 40-Hour, CIH (Certified Industrial Hygienist), and CSP (Certified Safety Professional). Many can be started before you separate, and several are covered by VA education benefits or credentialing programs.
What skills does a 74D CBRN Specialist bring to civilian employers?
Employers value the transferable skills a 74D CBRN Specialist develops, including CBRN detection, Decontamination procedures, HAZMAT response, Environmental monitoring, and Safety compliance. Translating these into civilian terms on your resume is what turns military experience into interviews.
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74D Jobs by State
Explore 74D CBRN Specialist career opportunities by state.