Veterans bring valuable skills and experiences that can make them exceptional employees. Reviewing Census Bureau data on veteran employment outcomes can help organizations make informed hiring decisions and recognize the benefits of recruiting those who have served. Veterans have demonstrated commitment, discipline, reliability, and the ability to work within structured systems and processes. They have shown up for their country, fulfilled demanding responsibilities, and often developed leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills that transfer well to the civilian workforce.
Companies that prioritize veteran hiring not only gain access to a highly capable talent pool but also support those who have served the nation. By creating opportunities for veterans, employers help ease the transition to civilian careers while encouraging future generations to consider military service. These individuals play a vital role in protecting our freedoms and contributing to national security.
The Census Bureau's analysis examined nearly two decades of employment data and found that veterans from certain military occupations and branches often experience stronger earnings outcomes. Air Force veterans, for example, frequently earned higher wages, likely due to the technical and specialized training associated with many Air Force careers. Veterans with experience in intelligence, drone operations, and other highly technical fields also tended to achieve higher earnings because of their advanced technical expertise and critical-thinking skills.
As military operations become increasingly technology-driven, more service members will likely leave the military with valuable skills in areas such as cybersecurity, data analysis, artificial intelligence, advanced communications, and autonomous systems. These evolving skill sets may further strengthen veteran employment outcomes in the future.
Organizations looking to support veterans can partner with local veteran service organizations, attend veteran-focused job fairs, and actively recruit from military and veteran networks. Investing in veteran talent benefits not only the individuals being hired but also the long-term growth, resilience, and success of the organization. Veterans have already demonstrated their ability to serve a mission larger than themselves, and many continue to bring that same dedication and sense of purpose to the workplace.
Veterans’ Employment Outcomes After Military Service: Insights from New Census Data
• More than 2.8 million enlisted service members who were honorably discharged between 2002 and 2021 were included in the Census Bureau’s Veteran Employment Outcomes (VEO) dataset, providing a detailed look at veterans’ transition into civilian employment.
• Veterans with specialized military occupations, such as operational intelligence specialists and drone operators, generally earned higher wages and experienced stronger employment outcomes than veterans from infantry and combat-related occupations.
• Employment outcomes varied by military branch and occupation. Army and Marine Corps infantry veterans commonly entered administrative support, manufacturing, and retail sectors, while Air Force veterans were more likely to work in professional and technical services.
• Gender differences persisted after military service, with women veterans earning less than men during their first year in civilian employment across all branches of service. Earnings differences by race and ethnicity were generally smaller.
• Economic conditions at the time of separation mattered. Veterans leaving the military during the Great Recession experienced lower employment stability, while those separating during stronger labor markets generally achieved better employment outcomes. The COVID-19 recession had a more limited effect overall, although some Air Force veterans were disproportionately affected.
Foote, A., Hyatt, H., Janicki, H., & Wasser, D. (2025, January 14). What are veterans’ job prospects after they serve? U.S. Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2025/01/veterans-employment-outcomes.html
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