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In February 2025, the veteran unemployment rate was 4.0%, up from 3.8% the previous month and up from 2.8% the prior year.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor
Images: Courtesy
Also in February 2025, the comparable non-veteran unemployment rate was 4.0%, up from 3.9% the previous month and up from 3.8% the prior year. The unemployment rates are seasonally adjusted for individuals aged 18 years and over in the civilian non-institutional population.
Annual Unemployment Rates By Sex and Veteran Status **
- Women Veterans 4.5% (Women Nonveterans 4.0%)
- Male Veterans 4.0% (Male Nonveterans 4.6%)
Annual Unemployment Rates By Race, Hispanic or Latino Ethnicity, and Veteran Status
- White Veterans 4.0% (White Nonveterans 3.9%)
- Black or African American Veterans 3.9% (Black or African American Nonveterans 6.1%)
- Asian Veterans 3.8% (Asian Nonveterans 3.2%)
- Hispanic or Latino Veterans 6.1% (Hispanic or Latino Nonveterans 5.5%)
Unemployment Rates by Disability Status and Veteran Status
March 2024 – February 2025 Averaged *
- Veterans with a disability 6.5% (Nonveterans with a disability 7.7%)
- Veterans with no disability 2.7% (Nonveterans with no disability 3.8%)
*12-month moving average generated using unpublished data tables from the Disability package obtained from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Table 16.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. The unemployment rates are not seasonally adjusted for individuals aged 18 years and over in the civilian non-institutional population.
Source: Current Population Survey (bls.gov)
**The unemployment rates are not seasonally adjusted for individuals aged 18 years and over in the civilian non-institutional population.
Source: Unemployment rates by veteran status (bls.gov)
As DOGE cuts begin to disproportionately affect our Veterans, the Department of Labor asks private-sector employers to “Hire a Veteran”
The Department of Labor reminds American employers the value of hiring a Veteran: A quick internet search shows articles from many recognized business leaders who endorse hiring veterans as a good business practice. Why? Veterans bring the following attributes and characteristics to the workplace:
- Proven leadership and leadership readiness
- Mission-focused approach to work
- Experience working in diverse teams and organizations
- Adaptable and immediate contributors
- Strong work ethics
- Strong performance under pressure
- Creative problem-solving
- Self-starter
- Integrity
