There are a number of resources available to veterans and individuals seeking assistance with employment. The Disabled Veterans Resource Center refers veterans to various organizations if they are in need of these services.
Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests that unemployment rates for U.S. veterans and non-veterans are currently similar. In 2021, the U.S. unemployment rate was 5.4% compared to the 3.9% unemployment rate for veterans. Similar unemployment rates exist for both genders and the various age groups among veterans and non-veterans.
However certain aspects differ for veterans. Unemployment rates are higher for those with disabilities, and the veteran population has a disproportionately higher rate of disabilities than the civilian population.
Approximately 19.3% of U.S. civilians have a disability, compared to 24.5% of all veterans with a service-connected disability (note that thousands of veterans suffer from disabilities as a result of service that are not able to establish service connection – so 24.5% is a low estimate of the number of veterans actually struggling with a disability as a result of service).
The higher the disability rating, the higher the unemployment rate. Unemployment rates for veterans with a 60% disability rating or higher were at 6.1% in 2018, while unemployment rates for disability ratings of less than 30% were 4.2%.
Many of our nation’s veterans suffer a lifetime of mental, physical and emotional disabilities as a result of their service. And with disabilities putting such a dent in one’s ability to be employed, unemployment is a very real possibility for veterans.
However, numerous resources exist today that are helping disabled veterans find gainful employment and plot new career paths for a promising financial future.
Employment Resources for Veterans