Veterans in the trades: workforce shares by occupation
- Page last updated October 24, 2026
- VA data retrieved October 24, 2026 (Comparison Tool data version 1522)
Where veterans concentrate in skilled-trade jobs, from a secondary analysis of Census Bureau Current Population Survey (CPS) microdata. This page is about workforce composition, not GI Bill® enrollment.
Source note. Figures below are from EngiMarket’s analysis of U.S. Census Bureau / BLS Current Population Survey microdata (approximate 2025 shares), published October 9, 2026. They are not VA data and are not counts of GI Bill students. [EngiMarket: Veterans in skilled trades statistics] Overall veteran employment context also draws on the BLS Employment Situation of Veterans — 2025. [BLS: Employment Situation of Veterans — 2025]
In short
- Veterans were about 7.8% of the skilled-trades workforce in 2025, versus about 5.0% of all employed people. [EngiMarket: Veterans in skilled trades statistics]
- Aircraft mechanics had the highest veteran share among ranked trades (about 33.7%, roughly 58,000 veterans). [EngiMarket: Veterans in skilled trades statistics]
- Absolute veteran headcount in installation/maintenance/repair and construction occupations fell roughly 25–30% from 2015 to 2025, even as relative overrepresentation in many technical trades held. [EngiMarket: Veterans in skilled trades statistics]
- Workforce share is not the same as GI Bill demand. A trade can employ many veterans while still having fewer GI Bill-approved school seats — or the reverse. Use the directories linked below for approved training.
Selected trades by approximate 2025 veteran share
The table highlights trades that units and counselors often ask about, with EngiMarket’s published approximate veteran share and headcount. Millwright-type industrial machinery roles and elevator work are shown for context; elevator estimates are limited by sample size in the underlying survey.
| Rank | Trade | Approx. veteran share | Approx. veteran headcount | VA-approved training on this site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aircraft mechanic / service technician | 33.7% | ~58,000 | Aircraft mechanic directory |
| 2 | Industrial machinery mechanic | 13.6% | ~45,000 | Not listed as a separate directory yet |
| 3 | Electrical power-line installer (lineman) | 9.5% | ~14,000 | Lineworker section |
| 4 | Electrician | 8.9% | ~95,000 | Electrician directory |
| 5 | Bus & truck / diesel mechanic | 8.7% | ~32,000 | Diesel mechanic directory |
| 6 | HVAC & refrigeration mechanic | 7.8% | ~44,000 | HVAC/R directory |
| 7 | Construction equipment operator | 7.6% | ~31,000 | Heavy equipment directory |
| 8 | Plumber, pipefitter & steamfitter | 6.9% | ~43,000 | Plumbing / pipefitting directory |
| 9 | Welder, cutter, solderer & brazer | 5.1% | ~29,000 | Welding directory |
| 10 | Elevator installer / repairer | Elevated; small sample | — | Not listed separately (limited sample) |
Shares and headcounts are EngiMarket’s published approximations from CPS microdata (2025 averages of months collected). Trades with very small veteran survey samples carry wide margins of error. Full ranking and methodology: [EngiMarket: Veterans in skilled trades statistics]
Outlook through about 2030
Demand for many of these trades is expected to stay supported by retirements, infrastructure and energy work, and ongoing skilled-labor shortages. Veteran pipelines into the trades continue through registered apprenticeships and on-the-job training (including GI Bill-approved programs), DoD SkillBridge, and industry programs such as Helmets to Hardhats. At the same time, the absolute number of working-age veterans has been declining, so employers that want veteran hires usually need active relationships with transition offices rather than passive job posts.
For how the GI Bill pays for school programs and apprenticeships — tuition, housing allowance and OJT step-downs — see our cited guides and methodology.
Find VA-approved training for these trades
Program lists on this site come from VA’s GI Bill Comparison Tool (NCD and OJT), not from the workforce statistics above. Browse by trade:
- Aircraft mechanic
- Diesel mechanic
- Electrician
- Lineworker
- HVAC/R
- Heavy equipment
- Plumbing / pipefitting
- Welding
- Truck driving / CDL
- All apprenticeships & OJT
Units and counselors can also use the free printable flyer and handouts.
Sources
- EngiMarket, “100 Veterans in the Skilled Trades Statistics (2026): Jobs, Pay & Top Trades” (page last updated October 9, 2026). Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Employment Situation of Veterans — 2025”. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, “GI Bill Comparison Tool”. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, “On-the-job training and apprenticeships” (page last updated February 4, 2025). Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- U.S. Department of Labor, “Apprenticeship for service members and veterans”. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.