How G.I. Jobs identifies the BEST jobs for veterans
Since 2003, G.I. Jobs has been pinpointing the most in-demand jobs for veterans. Our formula hasn’t changed. Once again, we crunched industry-leading data from the 2023 Military Friendly® Employers to find out which positions companies are actively recruiting veterans for and highlight the best jobs for veterans.
So what’s that process? First, we identified the companies that have the most outstanding commitment to veteran hiring and retention. AKA, the Military Friendly ® Employers. This year, over 1000 employers tried for the designation, but only a commendable 300 companies earned the honor.
After that, we review the data more closely. Because our goal is to provide you with the most useful information, the survey asks companies what are the top 5 jobs they’re actively recruiting veterans for in 2022 and beyond. As a result, we found these are the top 25 best jobs for veterans that companies are actively recruiting for in 2023 and beyond!
Under each job title, we indicated a brief description of what you would do in that role as well as the median job salary. Another interesting metric is the job outlook, which indicates the forecasted job growth through 2031.
Study this list, highlight what interests you, apply, and start your civilian career off on the right foot.
The Most In-Demand Jobs For Veterans in 2023:
1. Operations Manager
- What You’ll Do: As the title suggests, you’re going to oversee and manage operations at your company. This can include making hiring decisions, handling purchasing and materials, administrative tasks, and more. Much like your time in the service, you’re going to take responsibility for anything and everything that needs to be handled.
- Median Salary: $97,968
- Job Outlook: The BLS projects 7% job growth through 2031.
- What You’ll Need: Bachelor’s degree in finance, business administration or similar field. It helps to have management experience, whether corporate or retail.
2. Computer Information Systems Manager
- What You’ll Do: You will manage the data and computer systems at your company. This can be hands-on—in the code—or more managerial, but either way you’ll need the hard coding skills to succeed.
- Median Salary: $159,016
- Job Outlook: The BLS projects 16% job growth through 2031.What You’ll Need: Bachelor’s degree in programming, computer science, or similar field. You will also need experience coding in the relevant programming languages for your company.
3. Customer Service Representative
- What You’ll Do: You will directly interact with customers to handle complaints, retail item returns, and provide general information about your company. It’s a great position to start at the ground floor of a company and work your way up the ladder.
- Median Salary: $36,920
- Job Outlook: While the BLS projects -4% job growth through 2031, the fact that it’s third on the list means it’s in demand with the 2023 Military Friendly Employers.
- What You’ll Need: As a more entry-level position, you can get hired with a high school diploma, although experience in another job directly interacting with customers can be useful experience.
4. Computer Systems Analyst
- What You’ll Do: As a systems analyst, you will review your company’s current digital operations, hardware and software systems, and integrate new solutions to meet business needs.
- Median Salary: $99,278
- Job Outlook: The BLS projects 9% job growth through 2031.What You’ll Need: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems, programming, or similar field. You will also need hands-on experience with software and working knowledge of programming languages.
5. Cyber Security Analyst
- What You’ll Do: As a Cyber Security Analyst, you will oversee the security of all computers on your company’s network. This will involve actively checking for security risks, encryption, and updating software or hardware.
- Median Salary: $102,606
- Job Outlook: The BLS projects 35% job growth through 2031.
- What You’ll Need: Bachelor’s degree in computer sciences, programming, information systems or related field, or certifications. You will also need relevant experience.
If you have the experience for this job, take a look at the G.I. Jobs Career Portal. There are several companies looking to hire veterans Cyber Security Analyst positions on our job board.
6. Software Applications Developer
- What You’ll Do: You will develop software applications specific to your company’s purpose. This can include updating existing applications or creating new applications to solve a business goal.
- Median Salary: $102,939
- Job Outlook: The BLS projects 22% job growth through 2031.
- What You’ll Need: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, programming, or similar field. You will also need hands-on experience developing and updating apps, within relevant programming languages.
7. Sales Account Representative
- What You’ll Do: You will be selling your company’s products or services, interacting directly with customers.
- Median Salary: $60,548
- Job Outlook: The BLS projects 7% job growth through 2031.
- What You’ll Need: While you can be hired with a high school diploma, bachelor’s degrees are preferred. It also helps to have retail or other direct-to-customer experience.
8. Accountant/Auditor
- What You’ll Do: You will handle financial statements at your company, advise and suggest finance process improvements, audit client files, and generally handle any financial needs.
- Median Salary: $77,251
- Job Outlook: The BLS projects 6% job growth through 2031.
- What You’ll Need: Bachelor’s degree in finance, mathematics, or similar field. It helps to have experience in Excel, SQL, or other hands-on financial experience.
9. Human Resources Manager
- What You’ll Do: You will manage all employees in your office, including benefits administration, payroll, hiring and more.
- Median Salary: $126,235
- Job Outlook: The BLS projects 7% job growth through 2031.
- What You’ll Need: Bachelor’s degree in communications, human resources, or similar field is preferred. You will also need people skills and ideally experience in a human resources department.
10. Software Systems Developer
- What You’ll Do: Build and design computer software to meet the needs of your company. This can include analyzing current software and creating improvements, implementing new software, and recommending data structure to improve speed, efficiency and security.
- Median Salary: $120,744
- Job Outlook: The BLS projects 26% job growth through 2031.
- What You’ll Need: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems, programming, or similar field. You will also need hands-on experience with software and working knowledge of programming languages.
11. First-line Supervisor: Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers
- What You’ll Do: You will supervise and schedule your team of mechanics, installers and repairers. You may also be brought into client relations, especially during escalations.
- Median Salary: $71,260
- Job Outlook: The BLS projects 4% job growth through 2031.
- What You’ll Need: High school diploma, with training and certifications
12. First-line Supervisor: Office and Administrative Workers
- What You’ll Do: You will handle all activities in your office, including scheduling employees.
- Median Salary: $60,590
- Job Outlook: The BLS projects -2% job growth through 2031, but it’s in demand with the 2023 Military Friendly Employers.
- What You’ll Need: While an associate’s or bachelor’s degree is preferred, you can be hired with a high school diploma and a good attitude. Office experience can help as well.
13. Computer Hardware Engineer
- What You’ll Do: You will test and implement computer hardware for your company, supervising all aspects of hardware technology.
- Median Salary: $128,169
- Job Outlook: The BLS projects 5% job growth through 2031.
- What You’ll Need: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, programming, or related fields. Ideally you will have experience managing technology and hardware services.
14. CDL Driver/Operator
Computer engineering jobs are at the forefront of the technology movement and they pay well.
- What You’ll Do: You will drive tractor trailers or trucks over 26,000 pounds, managing pickup and dropoff of materials.
- Median Salary: $48,318
- Job Outlook: The BLS projects 4% job growth through 2031.
- What You’ll Need: High school diploma, CDL license, and ideally heavy vehicle driving experience.
What do computer engineers do? Learn what it takes to become a Computer Engineer here.
15. Electrician
- What You’ll Do: Electricians repair and install electrical wiring, electrical fixtures, control systems and more.
- Median Salary: $60,049
- Job Outlook: The BLS projects 7% job growth through 2031.
- What You’ll Need: Associate or bachelor’s degree preferred, with on-the-job training and relevant certifications.
16. First-line Supervisor: Construction and Trade Workers
- What You’ll Do: You will supervise activities and employees on construction sites.
- Median Salary: $72,009
- Job Outlook: The BLS projects 4% job growth through 2031.What You’ll Need: High school diploma with relevant experience and certifications for your industry
17. Web Developer
- What You’ll Do: You will create, maintain and launch websites, web applications, and optimize web performance to ensure your company’s web presence is efficient for clients.
- Median Salary: $77,022
- Job Outlook: The BLS projects 30% job growth through 2031.What You’ll Need: Associate or bachelor’s degree preferred, with website and HTML experience
18. First-line Supervisor: Transportation, Material-Moving, and Vehicle Operators
- What You’ll Do: You will manage the employees at your transportation or moving company, including hiring and scheduling.
- Median Salary: $54,828
- Job Outlook: The BLS projects 6% job growth through 2031.
- What You’ll Need: High school diploma and relevant experience in the industry.
19. Construction Technician
Construction is a very in-demand job, and you can receive training through in-house programs, technical schools, and industry training centers. Because you can get in-house training, a career in construction is a great opportunity.
- What You’ll Do: Construction technicians handle physical labor at construction sites, including hand tools, power tools, surveying and potential excavation and scaffolding.
- Median Salary: $37,772
- Why It’s Hot: The BLS projects 5% job growth through 2031.What You’ll Need: High school diploma with construction experience. Ideally, you will have relevant certifications and an apprenticeship.
Read Construction Jobs for Veterans to learn more about working in the construction industry.
20. Aircraft/Aviation Technician
- What You’ll Do: You will diagnose and repair aircrafts, including assemblies like hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
- Median Salary: $65,374
- Job Outlook: The BLS projects 6% job growth through 2031.What You’ll Need: Most aircraft mechanics and technicians learn their trade at an Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-approved aviation maintenance technician school or on the job. Military training is another route.
21. Automotive Technician/Mechanic
- What You’ll Do: You will repair vehicles, diagnosing and repairing issues.
- Median Salary: $46,904
- Job Outlook: The BLS projects 2% job growth through 2031.What You’ll Need: Employers prefer that automotive service technicians and mechanics complete a program at a postsecondary institution. Industry certification is usually required once the person is employed.
22. Transportation and Materials Moving
- What You’ll Do: You will move freight, stock or other moving materials. There are also opportunities in supporting roles, such as stocking, packaging, vehicle management and more.
- Median Salary: $36,857
- Job Outlook: The BLS projects 7% job growth through 2031.
- What You’ll Need: High school diploma, with on the job experience preferred.
23. Diesel Engine Specialists
- What You’ll Do: You will diagnose and repair diesel systems on buses, trucks or marine engines.
- Median Salary: $48,692
- Job Outlook: The BLS projects 4% job growth through 2031.
- What You’ll Need: High school diploma, with diesel certifications and ideally vocational training.
24. Marketing Managers
- What You’ll Do: You will plan programs to generate interest in products or services.
- Median Salary: $135,033
- Job Outlook: The BLS projects 10% job growth through 2031.What You’ll Need: Bachelor’s degree preferred with marketing experience. It’s especially important to have hands-on experience within your desired industry.
25. Operations Research Analyst
- What You’ll Do: You will use mathematics and logic to help solve complex issues.
- Median Salary: $82,347
- Job Outlook: The BLS projects 23% job growth through 2031.
- What You’ll Need: Master’s degree preferred, with deep experience with data sets and analysis.
Now that you have the list of the most in-demand jobs, spread your wings! Use this list in your job search.
Are you interested in these jobs but don’t have the experience or skills listed? Don’t stress! Now you have an idea of what career paths you can take, so you can get a head start.
Follow along with G.I. Jobs as you continue your job search. We have some virtual events every month with tips and best practices to help you with your job search.
