The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) issues a comprehensive employment and unemployment report on a monthly basis, drawing on nationwide survey data to assess the health of the labor market.
We have separated the veteran-related numbers to highlight their specific employment trends to provide an ongoing view of workforce among those who have served.
The September 2026 veteran employment report shows that veteran unemployment increased slightly from 3.4% in August to 3.5% in September, while post-9/11 veteran unemployment rose from 3.5% to 4.1%. National labor market conditions remained relatively stable, with little change in overall employment and unemployment. The most significant concern was among younger veterans ages 18 to 24, whose unemployment rate increased sharply to 23.8%. Female veteran unemployment also rose substantially, reaching 6.1%, while male veteran unemployment declined to 3.0%. Unemployment rates varied across demographic groups, though many veteran populations continued to experience employment outcomes comparable to or better than nonveterans.