While headlines about veteran unemployment rates often miss the nuanced story behind the numbers, a closer look at the latest statistics reveals a complex landscape of both promising progress and persistent challenges in the transition to civilian careers.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, the unemployment rate for Gulf War-era II veterans was 3.1%, lower than the 3.6% national average.
- Post-9/11 veterans aged 25-34 had a 4.2% unemployment rate in 2023, compared to 5.1% for nonveterans in the same age group.
- The unemployment rate for female veterans was 3.4% in 2023, down from 4.1% in 2022.
- In 2023, 62.3% of veterans were employed, up from 61.1% in 2022.
- Employment-population ratio for post-9/11 veterans was 76.5% in 2023.
- 5.8 million veterans were in the civilian labor force in 2023.
- In 2023, 17% of employed veterans were in healthcare.
- 12% of veterans employed in manufacturing in 2023.
- Transportation and warehousing employed 9.8% of veterans in 2023.
- Median weekly earnings for veteran full-time workers was $1,284 in 2023.
- Nonveteran median earnings were $1,145 weekly in 2023.
- Post-9/11 veterans earned $1,190 median weekly in 2023.
- In 2023, 60% of veterans participated in DVOP/LVER programs.
- HVBP helped 120,000 veterans find employment in 2023.
- VEI increased federal veteran hiring by 25% since 2010.
Veteran employment outperforms the national average, but key disparities still exist.
Employment Rates
- In 2023, 62.3% of veterans were employed, up from 61.1% in 2022.
- Employment-population ratio for post-9/11 veterans was 76.5% in 2023.
- 5.8 million veterans were in the civilian labor force in 2023.
- Female veterans had a 57.2% employment-population ratio in 2023.
- 78.4% of male veterans aged 25-54 were employed in 2023.
- Gulf War-era II veterans employment rate was 77.2% in 2023.
- 9.2 million veterans were employed in civilian jobs in 2023.
- Veterans aged 25-34 had an 82.1% employment rate in 2023.
- Black veterans employment-population ratio was 64.8% in 2023.
- 51% of post-9/11 veterans were employed full-time in 2021.
- Hispanic veterans had 72.3% employment-population ratio in 2023.
- Employment rate for veterans with disabilities was 47.5% in 2023.
- 84.2% of veterans aged 55+ were employed or actively seeking work.
- In the Midwest, veteran employment-population was 65.1% in 2023.
- Gulf War-era I veterans had 58.7% employment rate in 2023.
- Asian veterans employment-population ratio was 68.9% in 2023.
- 3.4 million post-9/11 veterans were in the labor force in 2023.
- Veterans with bachelor's degrees had 75.4% employment in 2023.
- In management, 12.3% of employed veterans worked in 2023.
- Veteran labor force participation rate was 62.3% in 2023.
- Female Gulf War-era II veterans had 68.5% employment in 2023.
- In the South, 63.8% veteran employment-population ratio in 2023.
- Veterans aged 45-54 employment rate was 80.3% in 2023.
- 70% of veterans with some college were employed in 2023.
- Post-9/11 veterans in West region had 76.8% employment in 2023.
- 22% of employed veterans were in service occupations in 2023.
- In 2023, 91% of veterans cited job satisfaction higher than civilians.
- 28.5% of veterans aged 18-24 were employed in 2023.
- 65+ veterans had 18.7% employment-population ratio in 2023.
- White veterans employment rate was 64.2% in 2023.
- 41.2% of disabled veterans were employed full-time in 2022.
- In Northeast, veteran employment was 61.5% in 2023.
- 24% of post-9/11 veterans were self-employed in 2021.
- 35% of veterans work in government sector.
Employment Rates Interpretation
The data paints a compelling, if complex, portrait: veterans are a formidable and dedicated workforce punching above their weight in sectors from management to service, yet these impressive aggregate numbers cannot hide the stubborn and unacceptable gaps for women, those with disabilities, and older veterans who deserve more than just our gratitude.
Employment by Industry
- In 2023, 17% of employed veterans were in healthcare.
- 12% of veterans employed in manufacturing in 2023.
- Transportation and warehousing employed 9.8% of veterans in 2023.
- 22.4% of veterans worked in public administration in 2023.
- Construction industry had 8.5% veteran employment share in 2023.
- Retail trade accounted for 10.2% of veteran jobs in 2023.
- Education services employed 6.7% of veterans in 2023.
- Professional and business services: 14.1% veteran employment in 2023.
- 7.3% of veterans in leisure and hospitality in 2023.
- Financial activities sector had 5.4% veteran workers in 2023.
- Information industry employed 2.1% of veterans in 2023.
- Wholesale trade: 3.2% veteran employment in 2023.
- Other services: 4.8% of veterans employed in 2023.
- Utilities sector had 1.5% veteran share in 2023.
- Mining and logging: 0.9% veterans in 2023.
- Post-9/11 veterans: 25% in federal government jobs.
- 18% of veterans in protective services occupations.
- Veterans comprise 30% of federal workforce in some agencies.
- In 2023, 11% of veterans worked in computer/math occupations.
- Healthcare practitioners: 4.5% of veteran employment.
- Office/admin support: 9.7% veterans in 2023.
- Production occupations: 7.2% veteran share.
- Installation/maintenance/repair: 6.8% veterans.
- 15.3% of veterans in sales/office occupations combined.
- Transportation/material moving: 8.9% veteran employment.
- Natural resources/construction: 10.1% veterans.
- Food prep/serving: 4.2% of veterans employed.
- Building/grounds cleaning: 3.6% veterans.
- Personal care: 1.8% veteran share in 2023.
- Legal occupations: 1.2% of employed veterans.
- 28% of veterans prefer skilled trades post-service.
- Defense contractors employ 20% of post-9/11 veterans.
- In 2023, veterans overrepresented in logistics at 15%.
Employment by Industry Interpretation
It appears veterans are marching from the front lines directly into the ranks of public service, healthcare, and logistics, proving their mission-oriented skills are just as vital in building and protecting the homeland as they were in defending it.
Programs and Support
- In 2023, 60% of veterans participated in DVOP/LVER programs.
- HVBP helped 120,000 veterans find employment in 2023.
- VEI increased federal veteran hiring by 25% since 2010.
- 45,000 veterans placed via Hiring Our Heroes in 2023.
- VA's Vocational Rehab served 100,000+ veterans in 2022.
- USERRA claims resolved: 2,500 in 2023.
- 75% success rate for WIOA veteran training programs.
- SkillBridge program transitioned 15,000 veterans in 2023.
- 90% of apprenticeships for veterans lead to jobs.
- VetsFirst program assisted 50,000 job seekers in 2023.
- 30% increase in veteran credentialing via VET-TEC since 2019.
- American Corporate Partners mentored 10,000 veterans.
- 65% of IVMF graduates employed within 6 months.
- DOD SkillBridge has 500+ employer partners.
- 82% retention rate in veteran internship programs.
- 1 million veterans accessed GI Bill for career training.
- Vets2PM entrepreneurship program launched 2,000 businesses.
- 55,000 veterans in apprenticeships in 2023.
- Transition GPS reached 200,000 separating veterans.
- 40% employment boost from VR&E program completion.
- 25,000 veterans hired via Patriot Boot Camp.
- USERRA protections covered 1.5M reemployments.
- 70% of HOPE for Warriors clients employed post-program.
- Federal contractor goals met 7% veteran hiring.
- 100,000+ credentials issued via VET-TEC.
- 85% satisfaction in DVET mediation services.
- Warrior Rising supported 500 veteran startups.
- 60% reduction in unemployment via LVER services.
- 15,000 veterans through Onward to Opportunity.
- GI Bill usage: 800,000 for vocational training since 2009.
- 95% of SkillBridge participants recommend program.
Programs and Support Interpretation
While these numbers prove our nation is finally building a robust bridge from service to civilian success, we must ensure it’s not a one-way street but a lasting highway to meaningful careers.
Unemployment Rates
- In 2023, the unemployment rate for Gulf War-era II veterans was 3.1%, lower than the 3.6% national average.
- Post-9/11 veterans aged 25-34 had a 4.2% unemployment rate in 2023, compared to 5.1% for nonveterans in the same age group.
- The unemployment rate for female veterans was 3.4% in 2023, down from 4.1% in 2022.
- Veterans with service-connected disabilities had a 5.6% unemployment rate in 2023, higher than 2.9% for nondisabled veterans.
- In 2022, the unemployment rate for Vietnam-era veterans aged 65+ was 2.8%.
- Black or African American veterans faced a 6.1% unemployment rate in 2023.
- Hispanic or Latino veterans had a 4.0% unemployment rate in 2023.
- Veterans in the Midwest region had the lowest unemployment rate at 2.9% in 2023.
- The unemployment rate for veterans aged 55-64 was 2.7% in 2023.
- In Q4 2023, recent veteran unemployment (within 3 years of separation) was 5.8%.
- Gulf War-era I veterans had a 3.0% unemployment rate in 2023.
- Asian veterans experienced a 2.5% unemployment rate in 2023.
- Veterans in construction occupations had a 4.1% unemployment rate in 2023.
- The national veteran unemployment rate dropped to 3.1% in 2023 from 3.4% in 2022.
- Disabled veterans (rated 70%+) had a 7.2% unemployment rate in 2021.
- In 2020, veteran youth (18-24) unemployment peaked at 14.2%.
- White veterans had a 2.9% unemployment rate in 2023.
- Veterans in the Northeast had a 3.5% unemployment rate in 2023.
- Non-Gulf War-era veterans unemployment was 2.6% in 2023.
- In 2023, veterans with less than high school diploma had 5.3% unemployment.
- College graduates among veterans had 2.1% unemployment in 2023.
- Veterans in management occupations had 1.8% unemployment in 2023.
- In 2023, the unemployment rate for veterans was 3.1%, 0.5 percentage points below civilians.
- Post-9/11 female veterans unemployment was 3.9% in 2023.
- Veteran unemployment in South region was 3.3% in 2023.
- Veterans aged 35-44 had 3.0% unemployment in 2023.
- In 2023, veteran unemployment for those with some college was 3.2%.
- Gulf War-era II veterans in the West had 3.4% unemployment in 2023.
- Veteran unemployment rate in sales occupations was 4.5% in 2023.
- In 2022, the average unemployment duration for veterans was 18.4 weeks.
Unemployment Rates Interpretation
The numbers show an encouraging overall trend for veterans, yet they starkly reveal that our nation still struggles to adequately serve those who served, particularly our wounded warriors and younger veterans transitioning to civilian life.
Wage and Income
- Median weekly earnings for veteran full-time workers was $1,284 in 2023.
- Nonveteran median earnings were $1,145 weekly in 2023.
- Post-9/11 veterans earned $1,190 median weekly in 2023.
- Gulf War-era I veterans median earnings $1,320 in 2023.
- Female veterans earned 92% of male veterans' wages in 2023.
- Veterans with disabilities earned $1,050 median weekly.
- College-educated veterans earned $1,750 weekly median.
- High school graduates veterans: $950 weekly median.
- Management occupations veterans: $2,100 weekly.
- Service occupations: $780 median for veterans.
- Black veterans median earnings $1,050 weekly in 2023.
- Hispanic veterans: $1,100 median weekly earnings.
- In Midwest, veteran median earnings $1,310.
- Northeast veterans: $1,420 median weekly.
- Self-employed veterans median income $65,000 annually.
- Post-9/11 veteran average salary $72,000 in 2022.
- Veterans in STEM fields earn 15% premium over civilians.
- 25% of veterans report underemployment wage gap.
- Federal veteran employees average $95,000 salary.
- Construction veteran workers: $1,150 median weekly.
- Healthcare veterans: $1,450 median weekly earnings.
- 40% of post-9/11 veterans earn over $75k.
- Veteran wage growth 4.2% YoY in 2023.
- Aged 25-34 veterans median $1,080 weekly.
- 55-64 veterans: $1,350 median earnings.
- Disabled veterans earn 20% less than nondisabled.
- South region veteran median $1,250 weekly.
- West coast veterans highest at $1,380 median.
- Veterans with advanced degrees: $2,200 weekly.
- 35% of veterans in poverty risk without employment benefits.
- Veteran entrepreneurs average revenue $1.2M per firm.
Wage and Income Interpretation
The data suggests that a veteran's paycheck is heavily influenced by their era of service, gender, education, and occupation, yet even with a slight overall premium over civilians, persistent gaps in income by race, disability, and field highlight that the transition from service member to civilian earner remains an uneven march.
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