America’s veteran workforce has declined by more than 40 per cent since 2000, but veterans continue to represent a highly skilled and experienced talent pool for employers facing ongoing skills shortages, according to new research from SHRM.
The Labor Force Snapshot: Veterans in the U.S. Labor Force report found veterans maintain education levels comparable to non-veterans and are more likely to hold professional certifications. Veterans also consistently experience lower unemployment rates than non-veterans.
“Veterans and the military community are one of America’s most valuable untapped talent pools,” said Wendi Safstrom, president of the SHRM Foundation. “We are committed to empowering employers to recognize and harness the full potential of veterans and their families and caregivers.”
Veterans concentrated in public administration and protective services
Veterans make up roughly five per cent of the overall employed population. The highest concentrations are found in industries aligned with military skills, including public administration (14.6 per cent) and utilities (10.1 per cent).
By occupation, veterans are most represented in protective service roles (16.4 per cent) and installation, maintenance and repair positions (10.9 per cent).
Disability rates higher among veteran population
Veterans are significantly more likely to experience a disability at any age compared to non-veterans. Among people aged 16 to 54, veterans are more than twice as likely to develop a disability (15.2 per cent versus 6.3 per cent), highlighting the importance of workplace flexibility and inclusive practices, according to SHRM.
The findings were released ahead of Veterans Day in the United States.
Research based on 25 years of data
The report analyzed data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Current Population Survey covering January 2000 through August 2025. The analysis compared veterans and non-veterans aged 18 and older across labour force participation, employment status, education and occupation.
SHRM has nearly 340,000 members in 180 countries.
