Veteran Employment and Workforce Facts
The U.S. veteran population stood at roughly 18 million in recent Bureau of Labor Statistics reports, representing about 6% of the civilian noninstitutionalized adult population. Among veterans aged 18 to 34, labor force participation has risen in recent years, with unemployment rates often tracking below the nonveteran rate for the same age group. The BLS Current Population Survey provides quarterly tables on veteran unemployment, underemployment, and occupational distribution by era of service.
Federal hiring initiatives such as the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act and Schedule A hiring authority have expanded access to government roles. Companies including Amazon, Lockheed Martin, and General Motors publish annual military hiring targets and partner with organizations like Hire Heroes USA and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Hiring Our Heroes program. The Department of Veterans Affairs remains one of the largest single employers of veterans, operating hospitals, benefits offices, and national cemeteries across all 50 states.
Veteran Pay, Benefits, and Compensation
The Post-9/11 GI Bill covers tuition, fees, housing, and a book stipend for eligible veterans, with the monthly housing allowance tied to the Department of Defense Military Housing Allowance rate for E-5 with dependents. The Forever GI Bill, enacted in 2017, removed the 15-year use-it-or-lose-it window for Post-9/11 benefits for those who served on or after January 1, 2013. The Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program offers job training, education, and entrepreneurship support for veterans with service-connected disabilities.
Private-sector compensation for veterans varies by role, with defense contractors, cybersecurity firms, and logistics companies often offering starting salaries above $70,000 for mid-level technical positions. The SEC requires public companies to disclose human capital measures, including veteran representation on boards and in the workforce, as part of annual filings. Salary comparison tools from Glassdoor and PayScale show median base pay for veterans in project management, aviation, and IT roles, often aligning with industry benchmarks for credentialed professionals.
Veteran Business Ownership and Entrepreneurship
The U.S. Small Business Administration reports that veterans own roughly 2.5 million businesses, generating hundreds of billions in annual revenue. The SBA Office of Veterans Business Development offers training, mentorship, and access to capital through programs such as the Boots to Business entrepreneurship training series and the Veteran Business Outreach Centers. The SBA 8(a) Business Development program, HUBZone program, and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business set-aside contracts provide federal contracting preferences for eligible veteran-owned firms.
Private funding networks including American Corporate Partners, the Bunker Labs network, and the National Veteran-Owned Business Association connect veteran founders with investors, corporate procurement officers, and accelerators. Forbes and other outlets regularly publish lists of veteran-founded startups and scaling companies, highlighting sectors such as technology, defense technology, construction, and healthcare services. The SBA's Lender Match tool and the Veterans Business Outreach Center directory provide direct links to application portals and local support resources.