Reimagining Military Spouse Employment

Understanding the Employment Landscape and Advancing Economic Mobility

Military spouses represent one of the most capable yet consistently overlooked segments of the American workforce. Despite high levels of education, adaptability, and a demonstrated willingness to work, they continue to encounter systemic barriers that limit not just access to employment—but the ability to build meaningful, lasting careers.

This research series goes beyond surface-level metrics like unemployment rates to examine the deeper structural forces shaping military spouse employment. Drawing on national labor market data, occupational trends, and employer practices, it offers a comprehensive, data-informed foundation for decision-makers—employers, policymakers, and community leaders—committed to unlocking the full potential of this mobile, underutilized workforce.

Featured Report

This report offers a comprehensive look at the employment conditions of active-duty military spouses. It examines labor force participation, income trends, occupational segmentation, employer hiring practices, and policy considerations. It also outlines a roadmap for shifting from short-term hiring solutions to long-term career development and workforce integration.

Top Findings:

  • Military spouses have an unemployment rate 4x higher than civilian spouses.
  • They earn 42% less than civilian spouses, with income dropping further after relocation.
  • Despite similar workforce participation, military spouses often hold unstable, lower-paying jobs with limited advancement.
  • Frequent moves and childcare demands disrupt employment and stall long-term career growth.
  • Most military spouses work in low-growth sectors like Education, Retail, and Health Services, which offer low pay and few promotions.
  • Over 80 employers have launched hiring initiatives, but impact varies—greater transparency, job quality, and alignment with spouse needs are key to improving outcomes.

Research Briefs

Cover of where military spouses work brief

Where Military Spouses Work – Industries & Occupations

This brief provides a detailed view of the industries and occupations where military spouses are employed, including analysis of income, employment distribution, and gaps in sector advancement. It also highlights the unique role of federal employment and identifies high-potential career paths for long-term stability.

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Top Findings:

  • Military spouses experience unemployment rates that are 4Xs higher than their civilian peers. Unemployment is especially high in retail (13.4%) and service occupations (10.9%).
  • Military spouses earn 30% to 50% less than civilians, even in high-demand industries such as healthcare, finance, and professional services.
  • More than 60% of military spouses are employed in just three sectors: education, health and social services (37.8%), retail (9.8%), and professional services (10.4%). These sectors tend to offer lower wages and limited opportunities for career advancement.
  • Frequent relocations continue to disrupt careers. Military spouses move 3.6Xs more often than civilians, and those who relocated in the past year earn 32% less than their peers who did not move.
  • Military spouses are underrepresented in leadership and management roles and overrepresented in administrative and support positions. This imbalance limits upward mobility and contributes to long-term wage gaps.
  • The brief recommends shifting the focus from hiring to career continuity. Solutions should prioritize portable career paths, remote work options, leadership development, and work/compensation aligned with qualifications and job responsibilities.

Coming Soon

Brief #2: Understanding Military Spouse Employment – Trends & Insights

Demographic and labor force comparisons between military, civilian, and veteran spouses. Explores participation rates, unemployment patterns, and income differences across age and education.

Brief #3: Employment Initiatives in the Private and Public Sectors

A review of current hiring programs. Highlights where military spouse-friendly jobs exist, where gaps remain, and what lessons can be drawn from leading organizations and coalitions.

Brief #4: Strategies for Change – Employer and Ecosystem Recommendations

This brief synthesizes employee-focused recommendations from prior research. It highlights best practices in recruitment, retention, and advancement, and outlines actionable steps to support long-term career development and economic mobility.

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Questions?

This four-part series is designed to inform ongoing efforts across government, industry, and nonprofit sectors—and to strengthen the case for investing in military spouse talent as a national workforce asset.

Questions or partnership inquiries? Contact us at vets@syr.edu

Acknowledgement

USAA logo

This research series is made possible through the generous support of USAA. The findings and recommendations presented are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAA.

Check Out More Research on Military Spouse Employment

Force Behind the Force Series

There are unique employment challenges for military spouses due to frequent relocation and limited access to career enhancing opportunities as a result of these relocations. While veteran employment has improved over recent years due to hiring, recruiting, and retention employment initiatives, military spouse unemployment has not been similarly impacted. There are unique differences between veterans and military spouses, but proactively treating military spouses as distinct from veterans requires knowledge on the part of the employer.

Status of Forces Agreements (SOFA)

Status of Forces Agreements (SOFA) are multilateral or bilateral peacetime agreements that define the legal status of U.S. Department
of Defense (DoD) personnel, activities, and property in the territory of another nation. They also set forth rights and responsibilities between the United States and the host government. The United States has some form of SOFA agreement with more than 100 nations, about half under the NATO or the Partnership for Peace SOFAs.

A Portability Roadmap for Military Spouses and Their Employers

Emotional well-being, fnancial-readiness, and economic opportunity are among the many positive consequences of sustained employment. Within military families, military spouse employment also positively impacts service member retention. Like their civilian counterparts, military spouses often want and need to work. But, unlike most civilians, military spouses may relocate overseas where their employment options are infuenced by diplomatic agreements called Status of Forces Agreements (SOFAs).

Military Spouse Entrepreneurs

The 2022 National Survey of Military-Affiliated Entrepreneurs provides detailed insights into the experiences and challenges of military spouse entrepreneurs. This term encompasses spouses and partners of active duty, National Guard, and Reserve service members, as well as veterans and retirees. Based on data from 243 current business owners who self-identify as military spouses, 80% of whom are female, the findings reveal robust entrepreneurial activity alongside critical support needs to ensure their success in the business landscape.

IVMF Programs

Onward to Opportunity

Onward to Opportunity (O2O) is a free career training program that provides professional certification and employee support services to transitioning service members, veterans and military spouses.

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Entreprenuership

Whether you are just formulating the idea in your head and don’t know where to start, or if you are on your third year and are ready to take that next big step, IVMF’s entrepreneurship will arm you for success in entrepreneurship.

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