Veterans account for nearly one in four federal civilian employees, significantly outpacing their presence in the broader workforce—but that foothold may be at risk as federal payrolls face pressure.
As of September 2024, more than 700,000 veterans worked in federal departments and agencies, representing about 24% of the total federal workforce. By contrast, veterans make up just 5% of the overall U.S. labor force. But despite some layoff protections, the Trump administration’s efforts to slash federal staffing have already cost some veterans their jobs.
Data from the Office of Personnel Management’s FedScope portal reveals that veterans are heavily concentrated in agencies with strong military ties. More than half the civilian workers at the Departments of the Air Force and the Army are veterans. The Department of Veterans Affairs, the largest Cabinet agency, employs more than 120,000 veterans—about a quarter of its staff.
Veterans also appear in large numbers at agencies with no military affiliation. Nearly 34% of Transportation Department workers are veterans, along with 27.6% at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and 26.2% at the General Services Administration.
Job roles vary widely. Veterans tend to dominate in hands-on, technical occupations—64.3% of armaments workers, 58.6% of facilities workers, and 53.2% of aircraft repair staff are veterans. But many serve in administrative and IT positions as well. Nearly 40% of workers in “miscellaneous administration and program work” are veterans.
Demographically, the federal government’s veteran workforce differs from its nonveteran peers. More than half are 50 or older, and nearly 80% are men. While just under half of veteran workers hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, that figure rises to 56.4% among nonveterans. Veterans, on average, have slightly longer federal careers—12 years versus 11.7 for nonveterans.
Despite their extensive presence and service, the future for veterans in federal employment remains uncertain. The share of veterans in the executive branch has steadily declined from a peak of 31.6% in 2016–17 to just 27.8% in 2024. As reductions in force continue, lawmakers and veterans’ advocates are watching closely to ensure that those who have served the country are not left behind.
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