Recognizing the service of military members and the importance of supporting their transition from the armed forces into civilian life—a highly skilled talent pool with valuable experience—the San Diego & Imperial Center of Excellence (COE) analyzed regional data on their military occupations and used a mapping tool to identify civilian equivalents based on skills, duties, and qualifications. For occupations with limited demand or low wages, the COE identified compatible alternative roles that offer higher wages and stronger job prospects.

Highlights from the Report

In California, 17,473 active-duty service members exited the military and entered the workforce in 2020, and 36% of these military exits were in the San Diego & Imperial region. The concentration of veterans in the region highlights the opportunity for these highly skilled workers to fill gaps in the labor market.

Mapping Military Exits to Civilian Occupations

Successfully transitioning from military service to a civilian career begins with understanding how military roles align with the broader labor market. Using a mapping tool, the San Diego & Imperial COE identified 43 civilian-equivalent occupations with at least 20 military exiters in San Diego County. Of these, eleven occupations met the living wage in San Diego County ($26.01/hour) and had more annual job openings (2023-2028) than military exits. These occupations represent strong opportunities for veterans to apply their skills in roles that offer economic stability and potential growth.

The COE also identified 27 civilian-equivalent occupations with at least one military exiter in Imperial County, and 20 of these occupations met the living wage in Imperial County ($15.14 per hour) and had more annual job openings (2023-2028) than military exits. These occupations also represent strong opportunities for military exiters in Imperial County, offering sustainable wages and sufficient job openings to transition into the civilian workforce.

Identifying High-Demand, High-Wage Compatible Occupations

While many military occupations align with civilian roles, some civilian-equivalent occupations either failed to meet the living wage in each county or had more military exiters than available job openings. For these roles, the COE identified alternative high-demand, high-wage occupations that require similar knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Download the full report here.

Veteran Resources

The report outlines resources that veterans, community colleges, employers, and veteran-serving organizations can use as a starting point to help service members explore civilian careers.

• MOC-to-SOC crosswalk – map military and civilian occupational codes based on skills, duties, and qualifications
• O*NET – search by military occupations to learn about equivalent civilian occupations, including job descriptions, job titles, and wages
• Explore Pathways by Military Occupation Tool – find occupational and professional development pathways for military occupations, including details about work activities, typical requirements, and wages
• Military Occupations Explorer – search by standard occupational classification (SOC) codes, industry, or keyword to find related military occupational codes
• Department of Defense (DOD) Credentialing Opportunities On-Line (COOL) – identify how credentials, certifications, and licenses align with civilian careers
• Transition Assistance Participant (TAP) Curriculum – provides guidance on using the crosswalk, accessing financial assistance, and identifying support resources
• California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) Veterans Resource Book – summarizes state benefits for healthcare, employment, housing, and education