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.
Among veterans, unemployment decreased from 4.2 percent in July 2026 to 3.4 percent in August 2026. Post-9/11 veteran unemployment decreased from 4.7 percent in July to 3.5 percent in August. Of the 283,000 unemployed veterans in August 2026, 24 percent were unemployed less than 5 weeks, 39 percent for 5 to 14 weeks, and 37 percent for 15 weeks or more, with a mean duration of 24.1 weeks and a median of 11.6 weeks.