Veteran Unemployment Rates

June 2, 2023
Veteran Unemployment Rate was 2.6% in May

In May 2023, the veteran unemployment rate was 2.6%, up from 2.2% the previous month and down from 2.9% the prior year.

Also in May 2023, the comparable non-veteran unemployment rate was 3.6%, up from 3.4% the previous month and unchanged from the prior year. The unemployment rates are seasonally adjusted and for individuals aged 18 years and over in the civilian non-institutional population.

View the full report:

Veteran Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates

Non-Seasonally Adjusted Data

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

• 

  Annual Unemployment Rates By Gender and Veteran Status
  June 2022 – May 2023 Averaged*
  Women Veterans 2.6%,
  Women Nonveterans 3.4%,
  Male Veterans 2.6%,
  Male Nonveterans 3.6%. 
  *12-month moving average generated using unpublished data tables  obtained from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Table 1.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)
• 

  Annual Unemployment Rates By Disability Status and Veteran Status
  June 2022 – May 2023 Averaged*
  Veterans with a disability 4.9%,
  Nonveterans with a disability 7.4%,
  Veterans with no disability 2.3%,
  Nonveterans with no disability 3.3%.
  *12-month moving average generated using unpublished data tables obtained from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Table 16.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)

Data

• Outcomes for Veterans and Disabled Veterans
• Veterans Employment Data
• Women Veterans