The Employment Situation of Veterans

Employment Reports


Each month the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) releases their employment and unemployment report. Below are some key insights from those reports focused on veteran employment.

2024


Cover of October employment report

The Employment Situation of Veterans – October 2024


On November 1st, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that employment was essentially unchanged in October (+12,000), and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.1 percent. Employment continued to trend up in health care and government. Temporary help services lost jobs. Employment declined in manufacturing due to strike activity.[1] For veterans, unemployment increased from 2.7 percent in September to 2.8 percent in October 2024. Post-9/11 veteran unemployment also increased from 2.5 percent in September to 3.2 percent in October. The unemployment trend continues to vary across different veteran demographic groups.

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Cover of veterans employment report for september 2024

The Employment Situation of Veterans – September 2024


On October 4thh, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that employment increased by 254,000 in September, and the unemployment rate changed little at 4.1 percent. Employment continued to trend up in food services and drinking places, health care, government, social assistance, and construction.[1] For veterans, unemployment decreased from 3.5 percent in August to 2.7 percent in September 2024. Post-9/11 veteran unemployment also decreased from 3.5 percent in August to 2.5 percent in September. The unemployment trend continues to vary across different veteran demographic groups.

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Cover of august 2024 employment situation of veterans

The Employment Situation of Veterans – August 2024


On Sept 6th, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that employment increased by 142,000 in August, and the unemployment rate changed little at 4.2 percent. Job gains occurred in construction and health care.[1] For veterans, unemployment increased from 3.0 percent in July to 3.5 percent in August 2024. Post-9/11 veteran unemployment also increased from 3.2 percent in July to 3.5 percent in August. The unemployment trend continues to vary across different veteran demographic groups.

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Employment situation cover for July 2024

The Employment Situation of Veterans – July 2024


On Aug 2nd, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that unemployment rate rose to 4.3 percent in July, and nonfarm payroll employment edged up by 114,000. Employment continued to trend up in health care, in construction, and in transportation and warehousing, while information lost jobs.[1] For veterans, unemployment increased from 2.8 percent in June to 3.0 percent in July 2024. Post-9/11 veteran unemployment decreased from 3.7 percent in June to 3.2 percent in July. The unemployment trend varies across different veteran demographic factors.

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Cover of employment report for April 2024

The Employment Situation of Veterans – April 2024


On May 3rd, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that employment increased by 175,000 in April, and the unemployment rate changed little at 3.9 percent. Job gains occurred in health care, in social assistance, and in transportation and warehousing.[1] For veterans, unemployment increased from 3.0 percent in March to 3.1 percent in April. Post-9/11 veteran unemployment also increased, moving from 2.8 percent in March to 3.5 percent in April. The overall unemployment trend displays variations across different veteran demographic factors, with certain groups being more impacted than others.

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Cover of unemployment report March 2024

The Employment Situation of Veterans – March 2024


On April 5th, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that employment rose by 303,000 in March, and the unemployment rate changed little at 3.8 percent. Job gains occurred in health care, government, and construction.[1] For veterans, unemployment increased slightly from 2.9 percent in February 2024 to 3.0 percent in March 2024. Post-9/11 veteran unemployment also saw an increase, moving from 2.5 percent in February to 2.8 percent in March. The overall unemployment trend shows variations by different veteran demographic factors, with some groups being more affected than others.

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Cover of Employment Report for February 2024

The Employment Situation of Veterans – February 2024


On March 8, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that employment rose by 275,000 in February, and the unemployment rate increased to 3.9 percent. Job gains occurred in health care, in government, in food services and drinking places, in social assistance, and in transportation and warehousing.[1] For veterans, unemployment decreased from 3.3 percent in January 2024 to 2.9 percent in February 2024. Post-9/11 veteran unemployment also decreased, moving from 3.7 percent to 2.5 percent in February. The overall unemployment trend shows variations by different veteran demographic factors, with some groups being more affected than others.

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Cover of employment situation report for Jan 2024

The Employment Situation of Veterans – January 2024


On February 2nd, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that employment rose by 353,000 in January, and the unemployment rate remained at 3.7 percent. Job gains occurred in professional and business services, health care, retail trade, and social assistance. Employment declined in the mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction industry.[1] For veterans, unemployment increased from 3.0 percent in December 2023 to 3.3 percent in January 2024. Post-9/11 veteran unemployment also increased, moving from 3.3 percent to 3.7 percent in January. The overall unemployment trend shows variations by different veteran demographic factors, with some groups being more affected than others.

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2023


2022


2021


2020