Leaving the military doesn’t mean leaving your skills behind—it means learning how to use them in a new way. Whether you’re retiring after decades of service or transitioning early, the civilian job market offers countless roles that value your leadership, discipline, and problem-solving abilities. And the good news? Many companies today welcome veteran job seekers to apply to open roles.
From tech and healthcare to logistics and aviation, this guide highlights some of the best jobs for veterans to explore in 2025—including those that don’t require a degree and those that can be performed entirely from the comfort of your home.
Key Takeaways
- Many civilian careers—especially in tech, healthcare, and aviation—directly align with skills veterans already possess.
- The GI Bill and SkillBridge programs help cover training costs or provide paid experience during the transition to civilian work.
- High-paying veteran careers range from commercial pilot to cyber security analyst.
- Veterans without college degrees can still enter trades and tech fields.
- Federal and private employers actively recruit veterans, with tax incentives and veteran preference policies supporting the hiring process.
High-Paying Jobs for Veterans
High-paying civilian careers for veterans include pilot, air traffic control, engineering, nursing, and IT roles. Many of these careers qualify for GI Bill or VET TEC funding, which means you can often get training costs covered while transitioning to civilian life. You can also take advantage of the Defense Department (DOD) SkillBridge program to gain real-world experience before discharge.1 These federal initiatives can significantly shorten the time between service and employment while maintaining income stability.
As automation and artificial intelligence reshape industries, roles requiring human decision-making and situational awareness—like air traffic control, mechanical engineering, and nursing—are expected to remain in high demand. Adaptability and focus position transitioning military service members well for these evolving opportunities.
Below are some high-paying career opportunities for veterans to explore based on 2024 employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics(BLS):
| Career | Median Annual Salary | Job Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Pilot | $198,1002 | 4% |
| Air Traffic Controller | $144,5803 | 1% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $103,7904 | 9% |
| Mechanical Engineer | $102,3205 | 9% |
| Registered Nurse | $93,6006 | 5% |
Jobs for Veterans Without a Degree Requirement
Veterans can access well-paid civilian jobs without a degree through technical, trade, and certification-based roles.
Veterans can apply GI Bill benefits toward non-college training programs such as CompTIA A+ certifications, HVAC technician apprenticeships, and EMT training, all approved by the VA.7 These pathways allow you to start earning quickly while gaining recognized credentials.
| Career | Median Annual Salary | Job Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| Web Developer | $95,3808 | 7% |
| Police Officer | $77,2709 | 1% |
| Firefighter | $59,53010 | 3% |
| Welder | $51,00011 | 2% |
| Paramedic | $46,35012 | 5% |
Modern industries now include solar energy technicians and drone operators, which are veteran-accessible fields thanks to the employment assistance from the Solar Ready Vets® Network (SRVN).13 Both roles rely heavily on technical precision and mission-oriented teamwork—skills that can be transferable from military training.
Remote Jobs for Veterans
Remote job opportunities for veterans and transitioning service members span software development, cyber security, project management, and medical records roles.
| Career | Median Annual Salary | Job Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $131,45014 | 15% |
| Cyber Security Analyst | $124,91015 | 29% |
| Project Manager | $100,75016 | 6% |
| Logistician | $80,88017 | 17% |
| Medical Records Specialist | $50,25018 | 7% |
Companies That Hire Veterans
Many major companies and federal agencies actively recruit veterans—offering transition programs and veteran hiring incentives that help military veterans land permanent and temporary positions and find meaningful careers.
Many employers actively recruit veterans because of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC), which provides federal tax savings to companies that hire qualified veterans.19 Additionally, federal agencies maintain veteran-preference policies under USAJobs.gov, ensuring veterans receive consideration for government positions.20
Amazon. Amazon has a dedicated military recruitment program called “Warriors at Amazon” that supports veterans and military spouses during their transition into the Amazon workforce.21
Boeing. Veterans make up approximately 14.2 percent of U.S. employees at Boeing, according to the company website as of 2025.22
JPMorgan Chase & Co. JPMorgan Chase has a Military Pathways Development Program as of 2025, which they claim is a “company-wide commitment to hire, retain, and promote veterans.”23
Wells Fargo. Wells Fargo’s “Veteran Experienced Talent” (VET) program provides a six-week, direct-hire job training and career coaching initiative.24
According to a 2025 review from Military Friendly®, a company that is dedicated to ranking an “organization’s commitment, effort, and success in creating sustainable and meaningful benefits for the military community,” other major employers known for strong veteran hiring initiatives include AT&T, Cisco, CapitalOne Financial Corporation, and Lockheed Martin.25
Federal Resources for Veteran Employment
Federal and state programs like TAP, SkillBridge, and VR&E support veteran employment.
- SkillBridge – Helps service members gain civilian work experience while on active duty.26
- Transition Assistance Program (TAP) – Offers job search and career planning guidance.27
- Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) – Supports veterans with disabilities in securing meaningful employment.28
- Department of Labor VETS Office – Connects veterans with employment and training services.29
How Do I Choose a Career After the Military?
Choosing a post-military career starts with evaluating your skills and interests, along with the civilian job demand.
Veterans can leverage tools like O*NET Military Crosswalk and My Next Move for Veterans to identify how their Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) aligns with civilian roles.30,31 Translating rank, education, leadership, and mission-focused accomplishments into corporate language helps recruiters see how your experience applies directly to the private sector.
For additional guidance, use Transition Assistance Program (TAP) workshops and VA career counseling to discover high-value job paths.
Veteran Entrepreneurship and Self-Employment Options
Veterans interested in entrepreneurship can leverage Small Business Administration (SBA) programs, contracting, and certification support. Entrepreneurship allows veterans to apply leadership and problem-solving skills while maintaining autonomy and flexibility in their careers.
The Small Business Administration’s Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOC) offer free mentoring, business planning, and access to funding sources for veterans.32 Veterans can also apply for federal Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) certification to qualify for government contracting opportunities.33
Jobs for Veterans FAQ
Frequently asked questions help clarify options for part-time, remote, and self-employment roles for veterans.
How can I use my GI Bill benefits for job training or certifications? Veterans can apply GI Bill funds to non-degree programs, including coding bootcamps, trade schools, and online certificate programs approved by the VA.7
What business support exists for veteran entrepreneurs? The SBA’s Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOC) program provides training and mentorship to help veterans launch and scale businesses.32
1 https://benefits.va.gov/transition/skillbridge.asp
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2 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/airline-and-commercial-pilots.htm
3 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/air-traffic-controllers.htm
4 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-systems-analysts.htm
5 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/mechanical-engineers.htm
6 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm
7 https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/how-to-use-benefits/non-college-degree-programs/
8 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/web-developers.htm
9 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/police-and-detectives.htm
10 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/firefighters.htm
11 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/production/welders-cutters-solderers-and-brazers.htm
12 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/emts-and-paramedics.htm
13 https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/solar-ready-vets-network
14 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htm
15 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm
16 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/project-management-specialists.htm
17 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/logisticians.htm
18 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-records-and-health-information-technicians.htm
19 https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/work-opportunity-tax-credit
20 https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/work-opportunity-tax-credit
21 https://hiring.amazon.com/our-team/military
22 https://jobs.boeing.com/veterans
24 https://talent.wellsfargojobs.com/portal/page/wells-fargo-vet-program
25 https://www.militaryfriendly.com/employers/
26 https://www.militaryonesource.mil/resources/gov/dod-skillbridge/
27 https://www.dodtap.mil/dodtap/app/about/DoDTAP
28 https://www.benefits.va.gov/vocrehab/
29 https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets
30 https://www.onetcenter.org/crosswalks.html#military
31 https://www.mynextmove.org/vets/
32 https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance/resource-partners/veterans-business-outreach-centers-vboc
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