October 4, 2024
Veteran Unemployment Rate was 2.8% in September
In September 2024, the veteran unemployment rate was 2.8%, down from 3.4% the previous month and down from 3.6% the prior year.
Also in September 2024, the comparable non-veteran unemployment rate was 3.9%, down from 4.1% the previous month and up from 3.6% the prior year.
The unemployment rates are seasonally adjusted and for individuals aged 18 years and over in the civilian non-institutional population.
Seasonally and Non-Seasonally Adjusted Data
Historically, we have referenced the non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for veterans. However, beginning July 2019, the Bureau of Labor Statistics began publishing the seasonally adjusted veteran unemployment rate. This adjustment accounts for any predictable seasonal patterns in the data and allows for better month-to-month comparisons; we will utilize this data series going forward.
The full seasonally adjusted veteran unemployment rate series going back to 2003 is available here: Veteran Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates. If you are interested in the non-seasonally adjusted data, that is still available here: Non-Seasonally Adjusted Data.
Highlighted Findings
Unemployment Rates By Sex and Veteran Status
October 2023 – September 2024 Averaged *
Women Veterans 3.4%,
Women Nonveterans 3.7%,
Male Veterans 2.9%,
Male Nonveterans 4.0%.
*12-month moving average generated using unpublished data tables from the Veterans package obtained from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Table 1. Employment status of persons by veteran status, age, race, Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, and sex, not seasonally adjusted.
Source: bls.gov (Current Population Survey)
Unemployment Rates by Disability and Veteran Status
October 2023 – September 2024 Averaged *
Veterans with a disability 6.0%,
Nonveterans with a disability 7.4%,
Veterans with no disability 2.6%,
Nonveterans with no disability 3.7%.
*12-month moving average generated using unpublished data tables obtained from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Table 16. Employment status of persons 18 years and over by veteran status, period of service, sex, race, Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, and disability status.
Source: bls.gov (Current Population Survey)
Unemployment Rates By Race, Hispanic Ethnicity and Veteran Status
October 2023 – September 2024 Averaged *
White Veterans 2.9%
White Nonveterans 3.4%
Black Veterans 3.3%
Black Nonveterans 5.9%
Asian Veterans 3.0%
Asian Nonveterans 3.3%
Hispanic or Latino Veterans 3.6%
Hispanic or Latino Nonveterans 4.8%
*12-month moving average generated using unpublished data tables obtained from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Table 16. Employment status of persons 18 years and over by veteran status, period of service, sex, race, Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, and disability status.
Source: bls.gov (Current Population Survey)
Annual Employment Situation of Veterans – 2023
In 2023, there were 17.90 million veterans in the civilian non-institutional population 18 years and over. Of those veterans, 8.63 million were in the civilian labor force and 8.39 million were employed. The annual average unemployment rate was 2.8% in 2023 for veteran, unchanged from the prior year.
Data
- The Black Veterans Research page documents Black veterans’ experience transitioning from military to civilian employment and identifies research gaps that prevent the current state and needs of Black veterans from being fully understood.
- Outcomes for Veterans and Disabled Veterans
- Veterans Employment Data
- The purpose of Women Veterans Research page is to make statistical analyses and other research easily accessible, inform policy decisions and the national narrative on women veterans, and serve as a repository of both statistical analysis and links to applicable external research.
