12 Jobs for Veterans in 4 In-Demand Industries

As a US military veteran, many skills you learned and used while serving can easily transfer to different jobs and industries outside of the military. About 200,000 servicemen and women leave the US military each year, many of whom seek to join the civilian workforce [1]. 

If you’re one of these veterans seeking employment, start by researching job titles and industries that match well with the skills you gained while completing your service. Assess which career path works best based on your current skill set, strengths, interests, and long-term career goals. 

In this article, you'll explore twelve jobs that are well-suited for veterans in a variety of industries. Afterward, if you'd like more insight into navigating your career change, consider enrolling in Columbia University's Find Your Calling: Career Transition Principles for Veterans course.

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12 jobs for veterans

Employers from multiple industries hire US military veterans, from health care to cybersecurity. Employers often seek out veterans for their excellent work ethic and discipline. When joining the civilian workforce, consider how your military role can translate to other jobs in the private or public sector. When seeking a new career path upon leaving the service, consider good industries for veterans, like intelligence, project management, law enforcement/security, and information technology. 

Data and intelligence

Government agencies, private businesses, and non-government organizations may hire veterans with intelligence backgrounds for data analysis and risk assessment positions. While many government agencies do offer intelligence-specific positions, private businesses are also interested in hiring intelligence professionals thanks to their ability to conduct research and assess security risks. As a veteran interested in the intelligence industry, consider working toward an analysis-oriented position in the private sector. 

1. Operations research analyst

Average annual salary in the US: $108,141 [2] 

Requirements: Operations research analysts must typically hold a bachelor’s degree, although some employers may require a master's. Some employers may also prefer analysts with a degree in operations research, mathematics, or a related field.

Operations research analysts use data analysis, mathematics, and logic to help organizations solve business problems and make informed decisions. In their day-to-day work, they're tasked with everything from identifying problems to collecting and organizing data, soliciting input from subject matter experts, using mathematical models and analysis tools, and compiling reports.

2. Data analyst

Average annual salary in the US: $86,214 [3]

Requirements: Data analysts typically hold a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as data analysis, statistics, math, or computer science. Depending on their experience, employers may hire those with related work experience and the requisite skills like an ability to work with data analysis tools.

Data analysts collect, clean, and analyze data to identify insights and provide guidance to organizations. As data becomes more critical to businesses and governments around the world, data analysts are increasingly in demand. They work in a range of industries, including finance, business, criminal justice, technology, education, and more.

Read more: What Is a Business Intelligence Analyst? Making Data-Driven Business Decisions

3. Risk assessment specialists

Average annual salary in the US: $71,334 [4] 

Requirements: Most professionals in the field possess a bachelor's degree, but some also have a master's degree. Common areas of study include finance, economics, business administration, and mathematics.

Risk assessment specialists analyze, identify, and mitigate potential risks to organizations, including financial, regulatory, environmental, cybersecurity, reputational, and operational risks. In addition to researching and analyzing risks, professionals in the field must also develop strategies for mitigating and managing crises.

Project management

You can find jobs in project management in almost all industries. The skills for careers in this field align well with skills you may have learned while serving in the military, such as collaboration, communication, and critical thinking. Veterans who worked as commanders, action officers, or platoon sergeants in the military may consider career pathways within project management. As a veteran, you may find interest in one of the following careers. 

1. Project manager

Average annual salary in the US: $89,577 [5] 

Requirements: The typical requirements for a project manager include a bachelor’s degree in business or a related field, along with completing an internship or other professional experience. As a veteran, you can sometimes transfer your mission-related experience to a project management position. You may only need to gain on-the-job training or earn certification depending on your military experience and role. 

A project manager oversees a project's entire lifecycle, from inception to completion. They manage both people and processes, communicating with team members, stakeholders, and other individuals involved in the project. 

2. Project coordinator

Average annual salary in the US: $63,398 [6] 

Requirements: Typically, you'll require a bachelor’s degree in a related field of study for this position, although you may qualify with a high school diploma. Professional experience and certification may also stand as qualifications necessary to land a position as a project coordinator. 

Project coordinators typically work under a project manager, tracking the progress of certain projects. In this role, you can expect to communicate with team members, disseminate relevant information, help set budgets and schedules, and create strategies to complete projects. 

3. Project management specialist 

Average annual salary in the US: $99,463 [7]

Requirements: This position typically requires a bachelor's degree in business or a related field. However, some employers seek candidates with a bachelor’s degree in an industry-specific field. Certification and relevant professional experience may help boost your employability for this job. 

 Project management specialists ensure projects get completed by performing varied tasks from beginning to end. As a project management specialist, you may keep track of the budget, monitor milestones, communicate with team members about the project's status, approve modifications if needed, and ensure delivery of a finished product. 

Read more: Project Management Career Overview: Resources for Your PM Journey

Law enforcement/security

For veterans, a law enforcement and security career may create an ideal transition into the civilian workforce. Your training as a member of the US military prepares you with the workplace skills you’ll likely need in these types of jobs. As a result, many law enforcement agencies and employers in the security industry seek veterans and individuals with military training. 

As a veteran, you may want to pursue one of these law enforcement and security jobs: 

1. Security guard

Average annual salary in the US: $41,178 [8]

Requirements: Security guards usually require a high school diploma or the equivalent. In most states, you need a license to be a security guard and another license to carry a weapon. Many employers provide on-the-job security training and weapons training if required to carry a firearm. 

Security guards work in a variety of industries, ranging from private to public organizations. Some security guards may carry weapons, depending on the scope of work and the employer. In this role, you'll protect people and facilities by patrolling a specific area and deterring criminal activity. You may also respond to emergencies when needed. 

2. Police officer

Average annual salary in the US: $70,619 [9]

Requirements: You don’t typically need a college degree to work as a police officer, but you do need to graduate from your local police training academy and complete on-the-job training. Most police officers must also undergo physical and mental tests, pass background checks, submit documents such as letters of recommendation, and pass a series of exams that assess skills like decision-making and judgment. 

A police officer’s duties depend on the work environment. Some officers may work in special crime units, while others may work as city officers who focus on keeping the general public safe. Some common duties of a police officer include patrolling, enforcing traffic laws, creating reports, and responding to emergencies. 

3. Corporate security manager

Average annual salary in the US: $110,635 [10]

Requirements: To enter this career, you'll likely need a bachelor's degree in a related field, such as business administration, human resources, or criminal justice. That said, some employers may be willing to hire applicants with sufficient military or police experience who don't possess a formal degree.

Corporate security managers are responsible for protecting an organization's physical assets, employees, and information systems from potential threats. Depending on the industry in which they work, they must develop plans and strategies to resolve active threats that endanger an organization's security, whether it be the physical well-being of employees and property or digital systems and infrastructure.

Information technology

The field of information technology (IT) might be a great fit for veterans used to problem-solving, helping others, and making quick decisions. The fast-paced field of IT encompasses different types of jobs, including the following.

1. Cybersecurity specialist

Average annual salary in the US: $124,537 [11] 

Requirements: This job typically requires a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity or a related field. Some employers may prefer that candidates have industry-specific experience and/or certifications.

These IT professionals ensure the safety of organizations' systems. In this role, you will work to prevent cyber threats and anticipate future threats. Depending on your industry and experience, you may advise organizations on strategies to prevent and deter cyber attacks and fraud. 

2. Network and database administrator

Average annual salary in the US: $102,450 [12] 

Requirements: At minimum, you should hold a bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science, or a related field to gain entry into this profession. Some employers require bachelor’s degrees, while others may require certifications. 

In a network and database administrator role, you have the important task of helping to manage and maintain an organization’s computer network system. You'll oversee the daily operations of computer networks by upgrading when needed, troubleshooting and solving any issues, and maintaining the systems to ensure optimal efficiency. Depending on your role in an organization, you might also train staff members and assist network architects in designing new network models. 

3. IT manager

Average annual salary in the US: $109,750 [13]

Requirements: An IT manager position typically requires professional experience and a bachelor’s degree, and because it's a management position, some employers may also require a master's degree. In this job, the more professional experience you have, the more you can earn and the easier you can move up within your organization. As a veteran, your IT or computer science skills from your time in the military should suffice as professional experience, depending on the employer and industry. 

IT managers oversee people and systems to help organizations meet information technology goals. As an IT manager, you may assist upper management or key decision-makers in setting goals and devising plans to achieve them. Other tasks may include communicating with teams working on IT projects or budgeting for needed services to meet your organization’s IT needs. 

Read more: What is Information Technology? 2025 Guide

Considerations for choosing your next job

When choosing your next job, consider positions that can help you achieve financial stability and meet any long-term career goals you may have. Many government and private organizations offer training programs for veterans looking to move into certain fields. You can use free online resources that help you identify transferable skills if you want to stay in the same or similar field or move to a different one. 

Career resources for veterans

You can access many free resources as a veteran seeking a civilian position. These range from job search engines for veterans to government-funded programs that help match veterans with careers based on skills gained in the military. 

Consider these helpful career resources for veterans: 

• USAJobs.gov has a job search engine for careers in the federal government, with veteran-friendly features like veteran preference. 

• Feds Hire Vets offers resources for veterans seeking employment with the federal government. The information hub includes a virtual classroom, a Veteran Employment Program Offices (VEPO) Directory, and a list of featured jobs curated from various job boards. 

• Military Friendly helps veterans identify veteran-friendly companies. Over 1,500 organizations submit surveys to Military Friendly each year, and the companies receive a rating of gold, silver, or bronze. The ratings are based on criteria determined by Viqtory, Inc., a veteran-owned and operated business.  

• The US Department of Veteran Affairs provides access to multiple resources for veterans and their families seeking job opportunities. 

• GI Jobs allows veterans and service members to create profiles and submit resumes and applications to various job postings. 

• The US Department of Veteran Affairs offers several career and employment assistance programs and resources for veterans, including information on educational and career counseling, transition assistance, resources for family members of veterans, and more. 

Getting started on Coursera

As a veteran seeking to enter the civilian workforce, it helps to know what types of jobs you might get and the average salaries you can expect. Not sure what job you want to pursue? Access free resources offered by the federal government that help veterans identify transferable skills and prepare for the transition from military to civilian life. 

For more information on how to get started on your next life chapter, consider enrolling in Find Your Calling: Career Transition Principles for Veterans on Coursera. In this course offered by Columbia University, you'll learn practical job-seeking skills and find inspiring, real-world success stories.

course

Nursing Informatics Training and Education

In this fourth of our five courses, I will go deeper into the training and education leadership skills that are helpful for nursing informatics leaders. I ...

4.8

(94 ratings)

5,913 already enrolled

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Average time: 21 hour(s)

Learn at your own pace

Skills you'll build:

Leadership and Management, Critical Thinking, Leadership Development, Deep Learning