Leaving a career you trained for is not a failure of nerve, and you are not starting from zero. The work already built operating under structure and standard procedure, leading and being led, logistics and resource coordination, and staying reliable under pressure. Those are O*NET-recorded skills that other occupations pay for. What follows is not encouragement; it is the data, including the destinations that pay less than you might expect.
Changing careers · 30 destinations
Jobs for Veterans (2026)
The best overall match is Social and Human Service Assistant, paying a median of $45,930 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025) with +7.4% projected employment change over 2025–2035. Below are 30 destinations ranked by how much of your existing skill set they reuse, how much hiring demand they carry, what they pay against the $38,020 median for security guards, and how much new schooling they take.
- Destinations ranked
- 30By skill overlap and demand
- Median pay
- $62,980BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Projected to grow
- 29 of 30BLS EP, 2025–2035
- Openings a year
- 1,777,400Combined, BLS EP
Method
How this list was built
- Careers that build on the operations, security and logistics skills common to military service. Built from a skill blend of police, security and logistics occupations (no single O*NET occupation maps to "military"), ranked by transferable-skill overlap and projected demand.
- Skill overlap is the cosine similarity between two O*NET transferable-skill vectors: things like social perceptiveness, coordination, instructing and complex problem solving. A high overlap means the day-to-day capabilities carry across; it does not mean an employer will hire you without a conversation about it.
- Demand is BLS projected growth and annual openings for the destination occupation. A good skill match into a shrinking occupation is not a good move, so both count.
- Retraining and pay adjust the order. Other jobs in the same occupational family are left out. Each level of schooling above what security guards need to start costs a destination ground, as do a degree or licence specific to its field (clinical healthcare, counseling, engineering, law, the sciences) and years of required experience. A destination paying less than the $38,020 median for security guards loses a little; one paying more gains a little.
- Each card ends with a retraining note taken from the BLS Employment Projections entry fields: typical education, related work experience and on-the-job training. Licensing rules vary by state and are not modelled.
The list
The top 30 careers to move into
- 1
1. Social and Human Service Assistant
Community and Social Service
97% skill overlap- Median pay
- $45,930median a year
- Growth
- +7.4%
- Openings / yr
- 48,900
- Education
- High school
Reuses 97% of the transferable skills O*NET records for veterans and pays $7,910 more than the median for security guards. No degree needed: BLS lists a high school diploma as the typical entry level. BLS also lists a month or less of on-the-job training.
Assist other social and human service providers in providing client services in a wide variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, or social work, including support for families.
- 2
2. Community Health Worker
Community and Social Service
95% skill overlap- Median pay
- $51,850median a year
- Growth
- +12.7%
- Openings / yr
- 7,000
- Education
- High school
Reuses 95% of the transferable skills O*NET records for veterans and pays $13,830 more than the median for security guards. No degree needed: BLS lists a high school diploma as the typical entry level. BLS also lists a month or less of on-the-job training.
Promote health within a community by assisting individuals to adopt healthy behaviors.
- 3
3. Residential Advisor
Personal Care and Service
97% skill overlap- Median pay
- $42,240median a year
- Growth
- +3.5%
- Openings / yr
- 16,500
- Education
- High school
Reuses 97% of the transferable skills O*NET records for veterans and pays $4,220 more than the median for security guards. No degree needed: BLS lists a high school diploma as the typical entry level. BLS also lists a month or less of on-the-job training.
Coordinate activities in resident facilities in secondary school and college dormitories, group homes, or similar establishments.
- 4
4. Occupational Health and Safety Technician
Life, Physical, and Social Science
91% skill overlap- Median pay
- $61,560median a year
- Growth
- +19.4%
- Openings / yr
- 3,800
- Education
- High school
Reuses 91% of the transferable skills O*NET records for veterans and pays $23,540 more than the median for security guards. No degree needed: BLS lists a high school diploma as the typical entry level. BLS also lists one to twelve months of on-the-job training.
Collect data on work environments for analysis by occupational health and safety specialists.
- 5
5. First-Line Supervisor of Personal Service Workers
Personal Care and Service
96% skill overlap- Median pay
- $48,590median a year
- Growth
- +6.3%
- Openings / yr
- 12,000
- Education
- High school
Reuses 96% of the transferable skills O*NET records for veterans and pays $10,570 more than the median for security guards. No degree needed: BLS lists a high school diploma as the typical entry level. BLS also lists some related work experience (under five years).
Supervise and coordinate activities of personal service workers.
- 6
6. First-Line Supervisor of Office and Administrative Support Workers
Office and Administrative Support
95% skill overlap- Median pay
- $69,500median a year
- Growth
- +0.1%
- Openings / yr
- 127,400
- Education
- High school
Reuses 95% of the transferable skills O*NET records for veterans and pays $31,480 more than the median for security guards. No degree needed: BLS lists a high school diploma as the typical entry level. BLS also lists some related work experience (under five years).
Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of clerical and administrative support workers.
- 7
7. Medical Assistant
Healthcare Support
93% skill overlap- Median pay
- $45,690median a year
- Growth
- +12.9%
- Openings / yr
- 109,700
- Education
- Certificate
Reuses 93% of the transferable skills O*NET records for veterans and pays $7,670 more than the median for security guards. No degree needed: BLS lists a postsecondary certificate as the typical entry level.
Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician.
- 8
8. Recreation Worker
Personal Care and Service
94% skill overlap- Median pay
- $36,560median a year
- Growth
- +4.3%
- Openings / yr
- 67,000
- Education
- High school
Reuses 94% of the transferable skills O*NET records for veterans and pays $1,460 less than the median for security guards. No degree needed: BLS lists a high school diploma as the typical entry level. BLS also lists a month or less of on-the-job training.
Conduct recreation activities with groups in public, private, or volunteer agencies or recreation facilities.
- 9
9. Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Manager
Management
93% skill overlap- Median pay
- $107,230median a year
- Growth
- +6.1%
- Openings / yr
- 18,300
- Education
- High school
Reuses 93% of the transferable skills O*NET records for veterans and pays $69,210 more than the median for security guards. No degree needed: BLS lists a high school diploma as the typical entry level. BLS also lists five or more years of related work experience.
Plan, direct, or coordinate transportation, storage, or distribution activities in accordance with organizational policies and applicable government laws or regulations.
- 10
10. Teaching Assistant, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education
Educational Instruction and Library
94% skill overlap- Median pay
- $37,010median a year
- Growth
- 0.0%
- Openings / yr
- 201,900
- Education
- N/A
Reuses 94% of the transferable skills O*NET records for veterans and pays $1,010 less than the median for security guards. Retraining: BLS does not publish a typical entry level for this occupation, so check the career page before planning around it.
Assist a preschool, elementary, middle, or secondary school teacher with instructional duties.
- 11
11. Skincare Specialist
Personal Care and Service
92% skill overlap- Median pay
- $45,330median a year
- Growth
- +8.8%
- Openings / yr
- 14,200
- Education
- Certificate
Reuses 92% of the transferable skills O*NET records for veterans and pays $7,310 more than the median for security guards. No degree needed: BLS lists a postsecondary certificate as the typical entry level.
Provide skincare treatments to face and body to enhance an individual's appearance.
- 12
12. Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor
Community and Social Service
95% skill overlap- Median pay
- $60,320median a year
- Growth
- +10.9%
- Openings / yr
- 97,700
- Education
- N/A
Reuses 95% of the transferable skills O*NET records for veterans and pays $22,300 more than the median for security guards. Retraining: BLS does not publish a typical entry level for this occupation, so check the career page before planning around it.
Counsel and advise individuals with alcohol, tobacco, drug, or other problems, such as gambling and eating disorders.
- 13
13. Psychiatric Technician
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
95% skill overlap- Median pay
- $45,130median a year
- Growth
- +22.3%
- Openings / yr
- 17,000
- Education
- Certificate
Reuses 95% of the transferable skills O*NET records for veterans and pays $7,110 more than the median for security guards. Retraining: entry usually means a postsecondary certificate in this specific field, a new credential whatever you hold now. BLS also lists some related work experience (under five years) and a month or less of on-the-job training.
Care for individuals with mental or emotional conditions or disabilities, following the instructions of physicians or other health practitioners.
- 14
14. Hairstylist
Personal Care and Service
92% skill overlap- Median pay
- $35,790median a year
- Growth
- +7.7%
- Openings / yr
- 73,400
- Education
- Certificate
Reuses 92% of the transferable skills O*NET records for veterans and pays $2,230 less than the median for security guards. No degree needed: BLS lists a postsecondary certificate as the typical entry level.
Provide beauty services, such as cutting, coloring, and styling hair, and massaging and treating scalp.
- 15
15. Pharmacy Technician
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
94% skill overlap- Median pay
- $45,750median a year
- Growth
- +6.4%
- Openings / yr
- 44,700
- Education
- High school
Reuses 94% of the transferable skills O*NET records for veterans and pays $7,730 more than the median for security guards. Retraining: entry usually means a high school diploma in this specific field, a new credential whatever you hold now. BLS also lists one to twelve months of on-the-job training.
Prepare medications under the direction of a pharmacist.
- 16
16. Architectural and Civil Drafter
Architecture and Engineering
95% skill overlap- Median pay
- $66,150median a year
- Growth
- +5.2%
- Openings / yr
- 9,100
- Education
- Associate's
Reuses 95% of the transferable skills O*NET records for veterans and pays $28,130 more than the median for security guards. Retraining: entry is typically an associate's degree, a step up from what security guards need to start.
Prepare detailed drawings of architectural and structural features of buildings or drawings and topographical relief maps used in civil engineering projects, such as highways, bridges, and public works.
- 17
17. Compliance Officer
Business and Financial Operations
98% skill overlap- Median pay
- $80,730median a year
- Growth
- +3.8%
- Openings / yr
- 32,700
- Education
- Bachelor's
Reuses 98% of the transferable skills O*NET records for veterans and pays $42,710 more than the median for security guards. Retraining: entry is typically a bachelor's degree, a step up from what security guards need to start. BLS also lists one to twelve months of on-the-job training.
Examine, evaluate, and investigate eligibility for or conformity with laws and regulations governing contract compliance of licenses and permits, and perform other compliance and enforcement inspection and analysis ac…
- 18
18. Mental Health Counselor
Community and Social Service
92% skill overlap- Median pay
- $60,320median a year
- Growth
- +10.9%
- Openings / yr
- 97,700
- Education
- N/A
Reuses 92% of the transferable skills O*NET records for veterans and pays $22,300 more than the median for security guards. Retraining: BLS does not publish a typical entry level for this occupation, so check the career page before planning around it.
Counsel and advise individuals and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health, with an emphasis on prevention.
- 19
19. Compliance Manager
Management
96% skill overlap- Median pay
- $141,900median a year
- Growth
- +4.9%
- Openings / yr
- 100,900
- Education
- Bachelor's
Reuses 96% of the transferable skills O*NET records for veterans and pays $103,880 more than the median for security guards. Retraining: entry is typically a bachelor's degree, a step up from what security guards need to start. BLS also lists some related work experience (under five years).
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.
- 20
20. Human Resources Specialist
Business and Financial Operations
94% skill overlap- Median pay
- $75,940median a year
- Growth
- +6.4%
- Openings / yr
- 73,700
- Education
- Bachelor's
Reuses 94% of the transferable skills O*NET records for veterans and pays $37,920 more than the median for security guards. Retraining: entry is typically a bachelor's degree, a step up from what security guards need to start.
Recruit, screen, interview, or place individuals within an organization.
- 21
21. Loss Prevention Manager
Management
95% skill overlap- Median pay
- $141,900median a year
- Growth
- +4.9%
- Openings / yr
- 100,900
- Education
- Bachelor's
Reuses 95% of the transferable skills O*NET records for veterans and pays $103,880 more than the median for security guards. Retraining: entry is typically a bachelor's degree, a step up from what security guards need to start. BLS also lists some related work experience (under five years).
Plan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets.
- 22
22. Sustainability Specialist
Business and Financial Operations
94% skill overlap- Median pay
- $83,050median a year
- Growth
- +3.9%
- Openings / yr
- 98,700
- Education
- Bachelor's
Reuses 94% of the transferable skills O*NET records for veterans and pays $45,030 more than the median for security guards. Retraining: entry is typically a bachelor's degree, a step up from what security guards need to start.
Address organizational sustainability issues, such as waste stream management, green building practices, and green procurement plans.
- 23
23. Appraiser and Assessor of Real Estate
Business and Financial Operations
96% skill overlap- Median pay
- $67,960median a year
- Growth
- +3.5%
- Openings / yr
- 5,200
- Education
- Bachelor's
Reuses 96% of the transferable skills O*NET records for veterans and pays $29,940 more than the median for security guards. Retraining: entry is typically a bachelor's degree, a step up from what security guards need to start. BLS also lists more than a year of on-the-job training.
Appraise real estate, exclusively, and estimate its fair value.
- 24
24. Medical Records Specialist
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
94% skill overlap- Median pay
- $51,140median a year
- Growth
- +7.8%
- Openings / yr
- 14,000
- Education
- Certificate
Reuses 94% of the transferable skills O*NET records for veterans and pays $13,120 more than the median for security guards. Retraining: entry usually means a postsecondary certificate in this specific field, a new credential whatever you hold now.
Compile, process, and maintain medical records of hospital and clinic patients in a manner consistent with medical, administrative, ethical, legal, and regulatory requirements of the healthcare system.
- 25
25. Appraiser of Personal and Business Property
Business and Financial Operations
96% skill overlap- Median pay
- $67,960median a year
- Growth
- +3.5%
- Openings / yr
- 5,200
- Education
- Bachelor's
Reuses 96% of the transferable skills O*NET records for veterans and pays $29,940 more than the median for security guards. Retraining: entry is typically a bachelor's degree, a step up from what security guards need to start. BLS also lists more than a year of on-the-job training.
Appraise and estimate the fair value of tangible personal or business property, such as jewelry, art, antiques, collectibles, and equipment.
- 26
26. Midwife
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
96% skill overlap- Median pay
- $65,790median a year
- Growth
- +5.1%
- Openings / yr
- 2,200
- Education
- Certificate
Reuses 96% of the transferable skills O*NET records for veterans and pays $27,770 more than the median for security guards. Retraining: entry usually means a postsecondary certificate in this specific field, a new credential whatever you hold now.
Provide prenatal care and childbirth assistance.
- 27
27. Licensed Practical Nurse
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
95% skill overlap- Median pay
- $64,400median a year
- Growth
- +3.0%
- Openings / yr
- 51,800
- Education
- Certificate
Reuses 95% of the transferable skills O*NET records for veterans and pays $26,380 more than the median for security guards. Retraining: entry usually means a postsecondary certificate in this specific field, a new credential whatever you hold now.
Care for ill, injured, or convalescing patients or persons with disabilities in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, private homes, group homes, and similar institutions.
- 28
28. Coroner
Business and Financial Operations
95% skill overlap- Median pay
- $80,730median a year
- Growth
- +3.8%
- Openings / yr
- 32,700
- Education
- Bachelor's
Reuses 95% of the transferable skills O*NET records for veterans and pays $42,710 more than the median for security guards. Retraining: entry is typically a bachelor's degree, a step up from what security guards need to start. BLS also lists one to twelve months of on-the-job training.
Direct activities such as autopsies, pathological and toxicological analyses, and inquests relating to the investigation of deaths occurring within a legal jurisdiction to determine cause of death or to fix responsibi…
- 29
29. General and Operations Manager
Management
95% skill overlap- Median pay
- $105,770median a year
- Growth
- +5.0%
- Openings / yr
- 285,000
- Education
- Bachelor's
Reuses 95% of the transferable skills O*NET records for veterans and pays $67,750 more than the median for security guards. Retraining: entry is typically a bachelor's degree, a step up from what security guards need to start. BLS also lists five or more years of related work experience.
Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations.
- 30
30. Occupational Therapy Assistant
Healthcare Support
93% skill overlap- Median pay
- $72,300median a year
- Growth
- +21.5%
- Openings / yr
- 8,100
- Education
- Associate's
Reuses 93% of the transferable skills O*NET records for veterans and pays $34,280 more than the median for security guards. Retraining: entry usually means an associate's degree in this specific field, a new credential whatever you hold now.
Assist occupational therapists in providing occupational therapy treatments and procedures.
Higher pay
Jobs for veterans that pay $75k+
8 of the 30 destinations report a BLS median of $75,000 or more (OEWS, May 2025), against $38,020 for security guards. The closest fit among them is Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Manager at $107,230. Same ranking, same order; each card says what the move takes.
- 9Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Manager$107,230 median · +6.1% growth · High schoolNo degree needed: BLS lists a high school diploma as the typical entry level. BLS also lists five or more years of related work experience.
- 17Compliance Officer$80,730 median · +3.8% growth · Bachelor'sRetraining: entry is typically a bachelor's degree, a step up from what security guards need to start. BLS also lists one to twelve months of on-the-job training.
- 19Compliance Manager$141,900 median · +4.9% growth · Bachelor'sRetraining: entry is typically a bachelor's degree, a step up from what security guards need to start. BLS also lists some related work experience (under five years).
- 20Human Resources Specialist$75,940 median · +6.4% growth · Bachelor'sRetraining: entry is typically a bachelor's degree, a step up from what security guards need to start.
- 21Loss Prevention Manager$141,900 median · +4.9% growth · Bachelor'sRetraining: entry is typically a bachelor's degree, a step up from what security guards need to start. BLS also lists some related work experience (under five years).
- 22Sustainability Specialist$83,050 median · +3.9% growth · Bachelor'sRetraining: entry is typically a bachelor's degree, a step up from what security guards need to start.
- 28Coroner$80,730 median · +3.8% growth · Bachelor'sRetraining: entry is typically a bachelor's degree, a step up from what security guards need to start. BLS also lists one to twelve months of on-the-job training.
- 29General and Operations Manager$105,770 median · +5.0% growth · Bachelor'sRetraining: entry is typically a bachelor's degree, a step up from what security guards need to start. BLS also lists five or more years of related work experience.
No new degree
No new degree needed: 11 options for veterans
11 destinations list a typical entry level no higher than what security guards need to start, all of them below a degree altogether (BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035). Roles that need a licence or a degree in their own field (clinical healthcare, counseling, engineering, law, the sciences) are left out even when the level matches. Social and Human Service Assistant leads this cut. Training, certification and related experience can still apply, and each card says which.
- 1Social and Human Service Assistant$45,930 median · +7.4% growth · High schoolNo degree needed: BLS lists a high school diploma as the typical entry level. BLS also lists a month or less of on-the-job training.
- 2Community Health Worker$51,850 median · +12.7% growth · High schoolNo degree needed: BLS lists a high school diploma as the typical entry level. BLS also lists a month or less of on-the-job training.
- 3Residential Advisor$42,240 median · +3.5% growth · High schoolNo degree needed: BLS lists a high school diploma as the typical entry level. BLS also lists a month or less of on-the-job training.
- 4Occupational Health and Safety Technician$61,560 median · +19.4% growth · High schoolNo degree needed: BLS lists a high school diploma as the typical entry level. BLS also lists one to twelve months of on-the-job training.
- 5First-Line Supervisor of Personal Service Workers$48,590 median · +6.3% growth · High schoolNo degree needed: BLS lists a high school diploma as the typical entry level. BLS also lists some related work experience (under five years).
- 6First-Line Supervisor of Office and Administrative Support Workers$69,500 median · +0.1% growth · High schoolNo degree needed: BLS lists a high school diploma as the typical entry level. BLS also lists some related work experience (under five years).
- 7Medical Assistant$45,690 median · +12.9% growth · CertificateNo degree needed: BLS lists a postsecondary certificate as the typical entry level.
- 8Recreation Worker$36,560 median · +4.3% growth · High schoolNo degree needed: BLS lists a high school diploma as the typical entry level. BLS also lists a month or less of on-the-job training.
- 9Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Manager$107,230 median · +6.1% growth · High schoolNo degree needed: BLS lists a high school diploma as the typical entry level. BLS also lists five or more years of related work experience.
- 11Skincare Specialist$45,330 median · +8.8% growth · CertificateNo degree needed: BLS lists a postsecondary certificate as the typical entry level.
- 14Hairstylist$35,790 median · +7.7% growth · CertificateNo degree needed: BLS lists a postsecondary certificate as the typical entry level.
Questions
Jobs for Veterans: FAQ
What jobs can veterans do?
Ranked by transferable-skill overlap, demand, pay and how much retraining the move takes, the top match in the NueCareer bank is Social and Human Service Assistant at $45,930 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), with +7.4% projected employment change over 2025–2035. Community Health Worker, Residential Advisor, Occupational Health and Safety Technician follow. The full list covers 30 occupations, 29 of which are projected to grow and 8 of which pay a median of $75,000 or more.
How were these career changes ranked?
Each occupation in the bank carries an O*NET transferable-skill vector. We take the cosine overlap between that vector and the skill vector of the occupation you are leaving and combine it with the destination's projected growth and annual openings. The page then drops other jobs in the same occupational family, marks a destination down for each level of schooling above what security guards need (and for a field-specific credential or years of required experience), and adjusts it slightly for pay against the $38,020 median for security guards. Careers that build on the operations, security and logistics skills common to military service. Built from a skill blend of police, security and logistics occupations (no single O*NET occupation maps to "military"), ranked by transferable-skill overlap and projected demand.
Do veterans take a pay cut when they switch?
That depends entirely on where you land. Across these 30 destinations the middle occupation pays $62,980 a year, with a range of $35,790 to $141,900 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). For reference, the median across all US occupations is $50,980. Every card below shows the real median so you can compare against what you earn now.
Do you need to go back to school?
Not necessarily: 11 of the 30 destinations need no degree beyond what security guards need to start, and 16 have a typical entry requirement below an associate's degree (BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035). Each card ends with a retraining note so you can filter by what you are willing to take on.