Also called: Navy AWS / AIRR rating
Helicopter crew member who jumps into the ocean to rescue downed pilots and sailors, and also operates sensors and weapons.
Rescue swimmers train constantly in pools and open water, practicing hoists and rescues in rough seas. In flight they also run the hoist, mounted guns, and sonar. Many go on to Coast Guard, fire department, or lifeguard leadership roles.
RMC (base pay + housing/food allowances + tax advantage) for typical E-1 to E-7 ranks, 2026 estimate, plus the special-duty, hazardous-duty, or skill pays this specialty usually earns. Enlistment/reenlistment bonuses for this field can be $10k-$50k+.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
High school diploma, about 1 year after high school. High school diploma, then aircrew candidate school, rescue swimmer school, and several months of aircraft-specific training. Free-college benefits: Tuition Assistance (up to $4,500/yr) while serving, the Post-9/11 GI Bill (36 months of tuition + housing stipend) afterward, and SkillBridge internships before separating.
Ways in: Military, On-the-job training. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Emergency Medical Services, Fire Science.
Growing about average. Military specialties are not in BLS projections. The services recruit for this job every year and openings track force size and retention rather than market growth.
Low risk for 10 years. Drones can drop rafts, but jumping into the sea to haul out a survivor stays human.
Classes: PE / swimming, Health / first aid, Biology.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.