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
1In 2023, 62.3% of veterans were employed, up from 61.1% in 2022.
Verified2Employment-population ratio for post-9/11 veterans was 76.5% in 2023.
Verified35.8 million veterans were in the civilian labor force in 2023.
Verified4Female veterans had a 57.2% employment-population ratio in 2023.
Directional578.4% of male veterans aged 25-54 were employed in 2023.
Single source6Gulf War-era II veterans employment rate was 77.2% in 2023.
Verified79.2 million veterans were employed in civilian jobs in 2023.
Verified8Veterans aged 25-34 had an 82.1% employment rate in 2023.
Verified9Black veterans employment-population ratio was 64.8% in 2023.
Directional1051% of post-9/11 veterans were employed full-time in 2021.
Single source11Hispanic veterans had 72.3% employment-population ratio in 2023.
Verified12Employment rate for veterans with disabilities was 47.5% in 2023.
Verified1384.2% of veterans aged 55+ were employed or actively seeking work.
Verified14In the Midwest, veteran employment-population was 65.1% in 2023.
Directional15Gulf War-era I veterans had 58.7% employment rate in 2023.
Single source16Asian veterans employment-population ratio was 68.9% in 2023.
Verified173.4 million post-9/11 veterans were in the labor force in 2023.
Verified18Veterans with bachelor's degrees had 75.4% employment in 2023.
Verified19In management, 12.3% of employed veterans worked in 2023.
Directional20Veteran labor force participation rate was 62.3% in 2023.
Single source21Female Gulf War-era II veterans had 68.5% employment in 2023.
Verified22In the South, 63.8% veteran employment-population ratio in 2023.
Verified23Veterans aged 45-54 employment rate was 80.3% in 2023.
Verified2470% of veterans with some college were employed in 2023.
Directional25Post-9/11 veterans in West region had 76.8% employment in 2023.
Single source2622% of employed veterans were in service occupations in 2023.
Verified27In 2023, 91% of veterans cited job satisfaction higher than civilians.
Verified2828.5% of veterans aged 18-24 were employed in 2023.
Verified2965+ veterans had 18.7% employment-population ratio in 2023.
Directional30White veterans employment rate was 64.2% in 2023.
Single source3141.2% of disabled veterans were employed full-time in 2022.
Verified32In Northeast, veteran employment was 61.5% in 2023.
Verified3324% of post-9/11 veterans were self-employed in 2021.
Verified3435% of veterans work in government sector.
DirectionalEmployment 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
1In 2023, 17% of employed veterans were in healthcare.
Verified212% of veterans employed in manufacturing in 2023.
Verified3Transportation and warehousing employed 9.8% of veterans in 2023.
Verified422.4% of veterans worked in public administration in 2023.
Directional5Construction industry had 8.5% veteran employment share in 2023.
Single source6Retail trade accounted for 10.2% of veteran jobs in 2023.
Verified7Education services employed 6.7% of veterans in 2023.
Verified8Professional and business services: 14.1% veteran employment in 2023.
Verified97.3% of veterans in leisure and hospitality in 2023.
Directional10Financial activities sector had 5.4% veteran workers in 2023.
Single source11Information industry employed 2.1% of veterans in 2023.
Verified12Wholesale trade: 3.2% veteran employment in 2023.
Verified13Other services: 4.8% of veterans employed in 2023.
Verified14Utilities sector had 1.5% veteran share in 2023.
Directional15Mining and logging: 0.9% veterans in 2023.
Single source16Post-9/11 veterans: 25% in federal government jobs.
Verified1718% of veterans in protective services occupations.
Verified18Veterans comprise 30% of federal workforce in some agencies.
Verified19In 2023, 11% of veterans worked in computer/math occupations.
Directional20Healthcare practitioners: 4.5% of veteran employment.
Single source21Office/admin support: 9.7% veterans in 2023.
Verified22Production occupations: 7.2% veteran share.
Verified23Installation/maintenance/repair: 6.8% veterans.
Verified2415.3% of veterans in sales/office occupations combined.
Directional25Transportation/material moving: 8.9% veteran employment.
Single source26Natural resources/construction: 10.1% veterans.
Verified27Food prep/serving: 4.2% of veterans employed.
Verified28Building/grounds cleaning: 3.6% veterans.
Verified29Personal care: 1.8% veteran share in 2023.
Directional30Legal occupations: 1.2% of employed veterans.
Single source3128% of veterans prefer skilled trades post-service.
Verified32Defense contractors employ 20% of post-9/11 veterans.
Verified33In 2023, veterans overrepresented in logistics at 15%.
VerifiedEmployment 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
1In 2023, 60% of veterans participated in DVOP/LVER programs.
Verified2HVBP helped 120,000 veterans find employment in 2023.
Verified3VEI increased federal veteran hiring by 25% since 2010.
Verified445,000 veterans placed via Hiring Our Heroes in 2023.
Directional5VA's Vocational Rehab served 100,000+ veterans in 2022.
Single source6USERRA claims resolved: 2,500 in 2023.
Verified775% success rate for WIOA veteran training programs.
Verified8SkillBridge program transitioned 15,000 veterans in 2023.
Verified990% of apprenticeships for veterans lead to jobs.
Directional10VetsFirst program assisted 50,000 job seekers in 2023.
Single source1130% increase in veteran credentialing via VET-TEC since 2019.
Verified12American Corporate Partners mentored 10,000 veterans.
Verified1365% of IVMF graduates employed within 6 months.
Verified14DOD SkillBridge has 500+ employer partners.
Directional1582% retention rate in veteran internship programs.
Single source161 million veterans accessed GI Bill for career training.
Verified17Vets2PM entrepreneurship program launched 2,000 businesses.
Verified1855,000 veterans in apprenticeships in 2023.
Verified19Transition GPS reached 200,000 separating veterans.
Directional2040% employment boost from VR&E program completion.
Single source2125,000 veterans hired via Patriot Boot Camp.
Verified22USERRA protections covered 1.5M reemployments.
Verified2370% of HOPE for Warriors clients employed post-program.
Verified24Federal contractor goals met 7% veteran hiring.
Directional25100,000+ credentials issued via VET-TEC.
Single source2685% satisfaction in DVET mediation services.
Verified27Warrior Rising supported 500 veteran startups.
Verified2860% reduction in unemployment via LVER services.
Verified2915,000 veterans through Onward to Opportunity.
Directional30GI Bill usage: 800,000 for vocational training since 2009.
Single source3195% of SkillBridge participants recommend program.
VerifiedPrograms 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
1In 2023, the unemployment rate for Gulf War-era II veterans was 3.1%, lower than the 3.6% national average.
Verified2Post-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.
Verified3The unemployment rate for female veterans was 3.4% in 2023, down from 4.1% in 2022.
Verified4Veterans with service-connected disabilities had a 5.6% unemployment rate in 2023, higher than 2.9% for nondisabled veterans.
Directional5In 2022, the unemployment rate for Vietnam-era veterans aged 65+ was 2.8%.
Single source6Black or African American veterans faced a 6.1% unemployment rate in 2023.
Verified7Hispanic or Latino veterans had a 4.0% unemployment rate in 2023.
Verified8Veterans in the Midwest region had the lowest unemployment rate at 2.9% in 2023.
Verified9The unemployment rate for veterans aged 55-64 was 2.7% in 2023.
Directional10In Q4 2023, recent veteran unemployment (within 3 years of separation) was 5.8%.
Single source11Gulf War-era I veterans had a 3.0% unemployment rate in 2023.
Verified12Asian veterans experienced a 2.5% unemployment rate in 2023.
Verified13Veterans in construction occupations had a 4.1% unemployment rate in 2023.
Verified14The national veteran unemployment rate dropped to 3.1% in 2023 from 3.4% in 2022.
Directional15Disabled veterans (rated 70%+) had a 7.2% unemployment rate in 2021.
Single source16In 2020, veteran youth (18-24) unemployment peaked at 14.2%.
Verified17White veterans had a 2.9% unemployment rate in 2023.
Verified18Veterans in the Northeast had a 3.5% unemployment rate in 2023.
Verified19Non-Gulf War-era veterans unemployment was 2.6% in 2023.
Directional20In 2023, veterans with less than high school diploma had 5.3% unemployment.
Single source21College graduates among veterans had 2.1% unemployment in 2023.
Verified22Veterans in management occupations had 1.8% unemployment in 2023.
Verified23In 2023, the unemployment rate for veterans was 3.1%, 0.5 percentage points below civilians.
Verified24Post-9/11 female veterans unemployment was 3.9% in 2023.
Directional25Veteran unemployment in South region was 3.3% in 2023.
Single source26Veterans aged 35-44 had 3.0% unemployment in 2023.
Verified27In 2023, veteran unemployment for those with some college was 3.2%.
Verified28Gulf War-era II veterans in the West had 3.4% unemployment in 2023.
Verified29Veteran unemployment rate in sales occupations was 4.5% in 2023.
Directional30In 2022, the average unemployment duration for veterans was 18.4 weeks.
Single sourceUnemployment 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
1Median weekly earnings for veteran full-time workers was $1,284 in 2023.
Verified2Nonveteran median earnings were $1,145 weekly in 2023.
Verified3Post-9/11 veterans earned $1,190 median weekly in 2023.
Verified4Gulf War-era I veterans median earnings $1,320 in 2023.
Directional5Female veterans earned 92% of male veterans' wages in 2023.
Single source6Veterans with disabilities earned $1,050 median weekly.
Verified7College-educated veterans earned $1,750 weekly median.
Verified8High school graduates veterans: $950 weekly median.
Verified9Management occupations veterans: $2,100 weekly.
Directional10Service occupations: $780 median for veterans.
Single source11Black veterans median earnings $1,050 weekly in 2023.
Verified12Hispanic veterans: $1,100 median weekly earnings.
Verified13In Midwest, veteran median earnings $1,310.
Verified14Northeast veterans: $1,420 median weekly.
Directional15Self-employed veterans median income $65,000 annually.
Single source16Post-9/11 veteran average salary $72,000 in 2022.
Verified17Veterans in STEM fields earn 15% premium over civilians.
Verified1825% of veterans report underemployment wage gap.
Verified19Federal veteran employees average $95,000 salary.
Directional20Construction veteran workers: $1,150 median weekly.
Single source21Healthcare veterans: $1,450 median weekly earnings.
Verified2240% of post-9/11 veterans earn over $75k.
Verified23Veteran wage growth 4.2% YoY in 2023.
Verified24Aged 25-34 veterans median $1,080 weekly.
Directional2555-64 veterans: $1,350 median earnings.
Single source26Disabled veterans earn 20% less than nondisabled.
Verified27South region veteran median $1,250 weekly.
Verified28West coast veterans highest at $1,380 median.
Verified29Veterans with advanced degrees: $2,200 weekly.
Directional3035% of veterans in poverty risk without employment benefits.
Single source31Veteran entrepreneurs average revenue $1.2M per firm.
VerifiedWage 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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