Military Systems and Maintenance Technology graduates earn $75,390 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 11.9%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians is among the highest-growth roles in the field.
This page covers Military Systems and Maintenance Technology as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Military Tech and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.
Military Systems and Maintenance Technology is a focused area of study within Military Tech. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $75,390 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 9 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 188 students complete it each year, most walking away with a associate's. Training is practical and skills-based, with a fast path from classroom to job site.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$59,511
Median Earnings · 4yr
$75,390
Colleges Offering
9
Graduates / Year
188
Avg Net Price / yr
$33,387
How Much Do Military Systems and Maintenance Technology Graduates Earn?
Four years after finishing Military Systems and Maintenance Technology, a typical graduate earns $75,390, above the national median for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $55,291 and $94,682, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Source: College Scorecard.
Earnings grow steadily as you advance past entry-level roles. The four-year figure is a better long-term target.
$75,390
4-Year National Median
Above the national median for college graduates.
$72,903
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
Not every Military Systems and Maintenance Technology graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out widely, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Region and union membership drive the gap more than any other factor. Union jobs in high-cost metros pay significantly more than non-union positions elsewhere.
$55,29125th pct.
$75,390Median
$94,68275th pct.
A Solid Financial Return
Solid ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $75,390 and an estimated $133,548 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 2.9 years.
Based on outcomes from 3 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 188 students who complete Military Systems and Maintenance Technology programs each year, the majority (51%) earn a associate's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
51%46%
Associate's51%
Bachelor's46%
Certificate3%
What Can You Do With a Military Systems and Maintenance Technology Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Military Systems and Maintenance Technology graduates show up in 1 different occupations, and Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians pay the most at $82,890/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Critical ThinkingQuality Control AnalysisOperations MonitoringReading ComprehensionActive Listening
Day-to-day responsibilities
Operate, install, adjust, and maintain integrated computer/communications systems, consoles, simulators, and other data acquisition, test, and measurement instruments and equipment, which are used to launch, track, position, and evaluate air and space vehicles. May record and interpret test data.
Test aircraft systems under simulated operational conditions, performing systems readiness tests and pre- and post-operational checkouts, to establish design or fabrication parameters.
Identify required data, data acquisition plans, and test parameters, setting up equipment to conform to these specifications.
Inspect, diagnose, maintain, and operate test setups and equipment to detect malfunctions.
Top Colleges for Military Systems and Maintenance Technology
Only 3 colleges had enough verified data to appear here for Military Systems and Maintenance Technology. They are sorted by graduate volume, not selectivity, so use them as a starting point rather than a ranking.
Ranked by Military Systems and Maintenance Technology graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Military Tech Programs
Military Systems and Maintenance Technology is not the only path through Military Tech: 3 other specializations sit alongside it. The comparison below ranks them by 4-year median earnings so you can see where this one lands.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Military Systems and Maintenance Technology program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
Military Systems and Maintenance Technology Degree: Pros & Cons
Strong earnings and positive career growth make Military Systems and Maintenance Technology a solid option. The 4 strengths and 2 trade-offs below are data-sourced from College Scorecard, BLS, and IPEDS.
PROS
Strong median salaryGraduates earn $75,390 nationally four years out, placing this field above most degree programs in the country.
Fast-growing fieldRelated careers are projected to grow up to +11.9% over the next decade, with Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians among the fastest-growing roles.
High upside potentialTop earners (75th percentile) in this program reach $94,682, a strong ceiling for high performers.
Flexible credential pathsPrograms are available from certificate and associate levels through bachelor's and graduate degrees, giving students real options based on timeline and goals.
CONS
Licensure often requiredMany positions in this field require trade licenses, certifications, or apprenticeship completion. These add time and cost beyond the academic credential.
Limited program availabilityOnly 9 colleges offer this program nationally, which may limit geographic flexibility when choosing a school.
Military Systems and Maintenance Technology Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Military Systems and Maintenance Technology graduates earn?
$75,390 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $55,291 and $94,682, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for a Military Systems and Maintenance Technology degree?
$59,511 in the first year out. That grows to $75,390 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with a Military Systems and Maintenance Technology degree?
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians are one path, and it pays a median of $82,890 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does a Military Systems and Maintenance Technology program take?
Two years full-time at a community college for a Military Systems and Maintenance Technology associate degree. Many students use it as a stepping stone, transferring to a four-year school afterward to finish a bachelor's.
How many colleges offer Military Systems and Maintenance Technology?
9 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
Is a Military Systems and Maintenance Technology degree worth it?
$75,390 median earnings four years out against $33,387 a year in average net price. That is a reasonable payback window, best at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the difference between Military Systems and Maintenance Technology and Military Tech?
Military Systems and Maintenance Technology is the narrower of the two: Military Tech covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Military Systems and Maintenance Technology-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in Military Systems and Maintenance Technology graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Military Systems and Maintenance Technology graduates consistently look for technical proficiency, safety compliance, and hands-on problem-solving. Certifications, apprenticeships, and demonstrated practical experience typically carry as much weight as academic credentials in this field. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Is graduate school worth it for Military Systems and Maintenance Technology graduates?
It can be. At a median salary of $75,390, graduate study in Military Systems and Maintenance Technology tends to meaningfully raise long-term income, particularly through specialized or professional programs tied to high-demand roles. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.
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