AST Rating Aviation Survival Technician — Civilian Career Guide
Coast Guard rescue swimmers who deploy from helicopters to perform search and rescue in extreme conditions. Also serve as EMTs and maintain survival equipment.
CAREER PATHS
4
TOP SALARY
$84,430.00
AVG SALARY
$61,855.00
Civilian Career Matches
Based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Salaries are national medians — your area may vary.
Paramedic
SOC 29-2043
$58,410.00
median/yr
Search and Rescue Technician
SOC 33-2011
$52,290.00
median/yr
Firefighter/EMT
SOC 33-2011
$52,290.00
median/yr
Offshore Safety Specialist
SOC 29-9011
$84,430.00
median/yr
What's your next step?
You've got the civilian career picture. Now: pick what to tackle next. Most AST Aviation Survival Technician veterans separating in the next 12 months should start here.
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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.
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Estimate your VA combined rating
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Skills That Transfer
Recommended Certifications
These certifications can increase your salary by 10-25% and make you more competitive for civilian roles.
Translate Your AST Experience to a Civilian Resume
Use our free resume builder to convert your Aviation Survival Technician skills and experience into language civilian employers understand. Built specifically for Coast Guard veterans.
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AST Jobs by State
Explore AST Aviation Survival Technician career opportunities by state.