How many military jobs have civilian equivalents?

As I'm exploring military career options, I'm interested in understanding what percentage of jobs have skills transferable to civilian roles later on. Any insights would be appreciated.

The Department of Defense lists over 800 occupations within the United States Armed Forces, ranging from infantry and aviation to technology and healthcare. A significant number of these are directly translatable to civilian roles. Exact numbers vary, but it's safe to say that about 80% of military roles have a civilian equivalent, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Some of the most straightforwardly translatable positions include those in the technological, mechanical, healthcare, administrative, and logistical sectors. For instance, if you serve as a combat medic, you may have a smooth transition into a role as an emergency medical technician (EMT) or a nurse in the civilian world. Similarly, if you work as an IT specialist or a mechanic in the military, these skills would be directly applicable in the civilian job market.

On the other hand, roles like an infantry soldier or fighter pilot do not have direct civilian counterparts, but the leadership, resilience, and decision-making abilities developed can be beneficial in various civilian career paths, such as management, law enforcement, or aviation industry.

Also, consider that several factors beyond job type can influence the transition, such as how effectively one articulates their skills and experiences on a resume or during an interview. When you're planning your military career, you may want to think about how to best utilize the valuable experiences and skills you'll gain for potential civilian jobs down the line. Consider speaking with a military career counselor or doing additional research on the Military Occupations Specialty (MOS) system to match your military skills to equivalent civilian jobs.