Good Jobs For Retired Military

Finding Fulfilling Civilian Work After Leaving The Military

Jobs for retired military medics

Northeastern understands that for U.S. veterans, finding a job as a civilian can be one of the greatest challenges youll face after service. So for veterans coming directly from the military without any prior civilian work experiencedont worry. More than half of these top occupations do not report requiring prior work experience and the ones that do require less than five years experience in a related profession. From an educational perspective, however, many of these high-growth careers typically require a bachelors degree.

Top 7 Jobs For Retirees

There may be a glut of post-9/11 veterans returning home after the drawdown, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of retiree veterans who need to find work. It can be tough to look back at the job market after having left, or being old enough to leave, and not knowing what work would best suit you. Whatever your concerns may be, if you’re thinking about getting back into the workforce don’t let age stop you. Investopedia did a little digging and came up with seven top jobs for professionals who have retired. Check out our take on them below:

1. Consulting If you don’t want to break into a new field, you might be able to leverage all the experience you gained in your old one. Consulting requires a bit of hustling, but if you have the expertise then all you’ll need is proper marketing and networking. If you adopt a truly professional attitude, there may be plenty of individuals and organizations who would like to take advantage of your expertise.

2. Craftsman If you don’t need to earn a large income and enjoy making unique items, retirement is the perfect time to turn up your production rate and earn a bit of money on the side. Whether you’re making jewelry, statues, ornaments, or clothing, hand-made items can enjoy modest success. Many consumers want to purchase individually crafted items because they come with a sense of personability that buying retail usually doesn’t grant. Websites like eBay and Etsy can help make your crafting profitable.

# : Intelligence Analyst

Intelligence gathering and analyzing is something that many Army officers do. Well, intelligence analyzing isnt just a military job many companies and corporations have data that needs to be analyzed. It could be competitors figures, or statistics on marketing, there is a lot of businesses who are looking for good intelligence analysts. The median pay sits around $86,000.

Recommended Reading: How Is Retirement Divided In Divorce

Understand What You Already Have To Offer

Everybody with military experience has developed particular strengths that can often be expanded upon or transferred into new roles. Being able to articulate those abilities is a key to making potential employers understand how you might contribute to their organizations. And having a firm understanding of them yourself can help you determine which skills you might want to add or refine through additional schooling or training.

So think about your time in the service and everything that you accomplished. Talk it over with other people in your life, and enlist their help in figuring out how to translate those experiences into abilities that the average civilian would understand. For example, maybe your military service enabled you to develop some of the following transferable qualities and abilities:

Do I Want To Be Paid Hourly Wages Or A Salary

Just like the overlaps and differences between jobs and salary, the same goes for wages and salaries.

First, jobs are usually paid with hourly wages, and careers are usually paid with salaries.

Theres no rule that says jobs with wages always pay less than careers with salaries, but thats usually how it works. That doesnt mean you cant find high paying jobs after the military!

Whenand how many hoursdo you want to work? If you only want to work part-time, or if you like to vary which days you work, youll probably want to do something that pays wages.

But, if you want to work a regular weekday schedule , you should look for something that pays a salary.

Do I want or need employment benefits? Benefits range from PTO to healthcare and retirement plans.

Generally, you need to work full-time to receive bennies, and these usually are part of doing something that pays a salary.

Also Check: Best Places To Retire In Mexico On A Budget

Management Jobs For Veterans

In addition, veterans should consider management positions. Many veterans had soldiers under their command during their time in the service. These skills translate beautifully into a management position. Some of the manager jobs on this list include:

Project Manager: Managers who are detail-oriented and know how to lead will make a great project manager. Responsible for placing team members in a position to succeed, this is an easy transition for employers and veterans.

Supply Chain Manager: In the field of logistics, there is nothing like the military. Those with experience and knowledge about the logistics field will make a great supply chain manager.

More About Transition Planning

During your transition planning, youll explore your employment and career goals. As part of the Transition Assistance Program, DOL provides a one-day core curriculum on the fundamentals of career transition. DOL also offers two additional two-day tracks as part of TAP that do a deep dive into employment and vocational training. For more information about TAP, contact your installations TAP office or visit the Defense Department TAP website.

Best Military Jobs That Transfer To Civilian Life

Dan Hamilton is a Marine Corps veteran with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan who currently works in Texas public policy. He is an advocate for personal and professional development in the military and veterans community.

Joining the military is an impactful commitment. New recruits usually see the military as a career path or as a way to get a college education. When joining, its important to think about how military skills will transfer to civilian careers once you transition back to civilian life after service. In this article, we explore several military occupational specialty codes, or MOSs, whose technical skills transfer well to civilian life.

Recommended Reading: Best Retirement Gift For Coworker

Loss Prevention Specialist: $31k

Longest Enlisted Soldier Finally Retires

Asset protection is the name of the game for loss prevention specialists. Their primary task is to prevent and investigate instances of shoplifting, embezzlement, or employee theft in retail stores, warehouses, and outlet centers. They monitor surveillance footage and alarm systems, question suspects, and contact local police when necessary. They might also train staff on security procedures.

Also Check: Retire At 60 Health Insurance

Jobs For Retired Military Officers

The Indeed Editorial Team comprises a diverse and talented team of writers, researchers and subject matter experts equipped with Indeed’s data and insights to deliver useful tips to help guide your career journey.

If you’ve retired from the military, then you may be interested in fulfilling a new role. There are many different occupations that require management experience and technical abilities, which you may have used while serving your country as a military officer. Before you start applying for positions, you can review each job’s responsibilities to help you determine which one is the right fit for you. In this article, we discuss the job duties and salaries of 26 occupations for retired military officers.

# 1: Government Program Manager

Here is another after Army career that makes good sense. A lot of companies and corporations have Government contracts, and since you worked with the Government via the United States Army for years, you will be a natural for developing programs to fill Government contracts. The median salary for a position like this is approximately $71,000.

Final Thoughts

As a retired Army Officer, you have an advantage over the civilian career seekers. Most companies and corporations will look harder at a person with your training, experience and leadership abilities. There are a lot of jobs out there you are qualified for.

Are there any other jobs for retired Army Officers you can think of? Do you have any questions? You can post any, and all in the comment section below. I hope this post helps inspire you in your post Army career job search.

You May Like: 4 Percent Rule Retirement Calculator

Helpful Job Search Tools For Veterans

To make it easier to navigate your options, CareerBuilder recently announced its to assist servicemembers in their search for civilian jobs. Instead of entering a job title into the search bar of CareerBuilder, enter your military occupational specialty code or military rank to locate jobs that might be a good fit.

Another option is O*Net Onlines Military Crosswalk Search. Select the branch of service from a drop-down menu, then enter your AFSC, MOS, or Rating and a list of civilian occupations that require comparable skills will appear. From there, you can view a summary report that details the following information for each related civilian occupation result:

Tasks and general work duties commonly performed
Technology skills required

Knowledge and formal education needed
Abilities needed

To ensure a successful transition into the civilian workforce, you must be able to express your relevant experiences and skills in civilian terms. Fortunately, assistance is available to help you not just find a job, but a fulfilling career.

For more information about how Northeastern can help you take the next step in your career, , military admissions officer at Northeastern, for personalized enrollment advice.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs . More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Take Advantage Of The Transition Assistance Program

Many service members arent aware that the military provides resources and courses to help you prepare for civilian life, including tips on employment and finances. TAP can start as early as a year before you leave the military, so contact your local TAP office to get started, and see this Department of Labor TAP page for more information.

Also Check: What Is Cumulative Retirement Fers

Best Places To Work After A Military Career

Tinker Air Force Base is just 13 miles from downtown Oklahoma City, which means that veterans in the area have easy access to base shopping thats tax-free and some 25% less than standard retail prices. Boeing and other federal contractors have a large presence nearby. The unemployment rate in Oklahoma City is just 5.2% and the median home price, $119,000. All those factors land it at the top of the list of ten best places for veterans to retire, published this week by USAA, a San Antonio financial services company that caters to the military and their families. USAA and Military.com, a free military news website with 10 million subscribers, commissioned Sperlings Best Places to compile the list.

This is the second year Sperlings has put together the list, but last year, the emphasis was on retirement. This year, says Ward Carroll, an editor at Military.com, he and the other list editors realized it made more sense to emphasize work than retirement. Most enlisted members retire at age 39 and officers, at 46. Though after 20 years, military retirees are entitled to a pension worth half their base pay, and low-cost health insurance, thats not enough for most to stop working.

According to the Defense Department, as of 2010, there were some two million military retirees who had served at least 20 years.

Military skill-related jobs

Number of federal government jobs

Number of small businesses

Top Paying Jobs For Veterans Without A Degree

Based on several factors, such as projected job growth, pay, job stability, and others, heres a list of some of the best paying jobs for military veterans that dont require a college degree. Some will require other types of skills you can acquire through trade schools or that transfer well from your military experience.

Use this list as a starting point, and combine it with your own set of skills and the type of work youd like to do.

Heavy Truck/Trailer Driver

Salary expectation: $66,000

Almost all members of the military have basic first-aid knowledge.

Depending on your experience, you could have talents that would need only minimal training to be licensed as a nurse, or you could already have emergency medical skills that are currently in high demand due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Although each state has its own requirements, becoming a nurse or related healthcare worker will consistently be tough but rewarding, mentally and financially.

Tip: If this sounds appealing to you, go to Nurse.org to learn about paths to becoming a nurse fast.

Law Enforcement Careers Can Be Comparable To Military Experience Making It A Good Career Fit For Many Veterans

One popular career path among many veterans is law enforcement. Skills and experiences learned in the military make veterans a valuable asset to any law enforcement organization. Possible law enforcement careers for retired military members could include becoming a police officer, a crime scene investigator, an emergency dispatcher, or a corrections officer.

Average annual salary: $56,427/year

The 10 Best Jobs For Ex

Retired army commander calls for massive investment in Canada’s military

Hundreds of thousands of troops leave the service every year in search of a post-military career that fits their life goals, whatever they may be.

But a lot of veterans leave the military after their first enlistment and aren’t quite sure what their long-term career goals might be. It’s a sentiment echoed by many post-9/11 vets, a full 50% of whom feel unprepared for civilian life, according to the Pew Research Center.

Even if veterans don’t know what career or industry fits them best, they can still look to industries that fit veterans. Navy Federal Credit Union and Hire Heroes USA compiled a list of the best careers for veterans, based on polling vets about what they liked best about their jobs, including compensation, location or working at purpose-driven organizations.

Any veteran unsure about where they belong might want to choose one of these fields.

Also Check: Retirement Communities Laguna Beach Ca

# 1: Human Resources Manager

As an Army officer, you are in charge of people. The Army is one large Human Resources operation because there are so many individuals to manage. Many companies will consider a retired Army officer before others just because of their ability to manage people. The median salary for Human Resource Managers is around $57,000.

Our List Of Best Jobs For Veterans To Pursue

Military veterans have laid their lives on the line in the service of this country. The experience they have gained in the military is unparalleled and the discipline, commitment, and teamwork skills veterans learn can be applied to numerous careers in the civilian world. Depending on the responsibilities someone has in the military, as well as their educational background, there are several careers that work well once someone has finished their time in the military. There are a few careers that stand out for veterans who are looking to transition into a new career.

Recommended Reading: Arkansas Diamond Retirement Plan Login

Gi Bill Eligible For On The Job Training

For our qualifying veteran recruit, a portion of their Montgomery GI Bill and Post-9/11 GI Bill can be used as additional financial assistance during training. Trainings that qualify for the GI Bills include CITP, SATC, UTIP and UDTC courses for special agents and Uniformed Division officers. Note: Training events are funded by the Secret Service however, the GI Bill may provide additional Basic Housing Allowance to qualifying veterans.

High Paying Jobs For Military Vets

Furthermore, there are plenty of jobs for military vets that offer generous starting wages. Depending on a soldiers level of experience, these positions might even be willing to pay more. Some of the top positions to note during the search are:

Mechanic: The skills of a mechanic are also in high demand. Military veterans often have extensive experience working with unique vehicles, ranging from aircraft to tanks and more. This opens up a wide range of possibilities for a veteran as a mechanic.
Construction: Furthermore, the military expects its soldiers to work well as a team while also maintaining a certain level of fitness. This makes a veteran perfectly suited for a career in construction. Plus, this is a high-paying job that doesnt necessarily require added education, one of the major benefits.

Don’t Miss: Empower Retirement Customer Service Number

Career Options For Former Military Members In 2022

Lori Norris has been educating and supporting military service members to see their career options and market their military skills during their military transition since 2005. Lori considers herself bilingual she speaks military and civilian language. She is the host of the Lessons Learned for Vets Podcast, the owner of Next for Vets education services and Get Results Career Services company.

Related: Job Cast: Job Search for Military Service Members and Spouses

This video will introduce you to job searching on Indeed as a military service member or spouse.

Whether youre transitioning to civilian life from the military or youre an experienced former military member seeking a career change, there are plenty of employment opportunities available for you. People with military experience often possess a well-developed, unique set of abilities that include organizational and time management skills, strategic thinking, team cooperation, leadership skills and self-discipline. These traits can help you succeed in nearly any industry or profession.

In this article, we provide a list of 25 jobs across a variety of professions and industries for you to consider.

Defense Contracting Offers Competitive Salaries And Is Popular Among Younger Veterans

Defense contracting involves creating materials that will help aid the various sections of national defense. Whether you’re building weaponry or an aircraft, defense contracting work offers competitive salaries and is directly related to the military. Potential jobs in defense contracting could include becoming an analyst, an intelligence specialist, a contract management specialist, or a quality assurance manager.

Average annual salary: $74,533/year

Don’t Miss: How Old To Retire In California