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6 Companies That Give Veterans a Hiring Preference

Check out employers who pay veterans more or give them extra benefits

spinner image a veteran is shaking the hand of another man
Job seekers meet with a Sacramento Police Department recruiter during the Hiring Our Heroes Job Fair at AT&T Park in San Francisco, California.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Companies value your military service — they’re getting the most bang for their buck by hiring hardworking, loyal veterans with solid track records.

spinner image people hold up a welcome home sign as someone from the military stands before an american flag. the words aarp veteran report appear above the flag
Getty Images/AARP

You can subscribe here to AARP Veteran Report, a free e-newsletter published every two weeks. If you have feedback or a story idea then please contact us here.

From sign-on bonuses to additional paid time off to monthly stipends on top of salaries, some employers are increasing compensation and benefits for veterans.

States are catching on too. Last year, Colorado joined Kentucky, Montana and Nebraska when it passed legislation allowing private employers to give preference to hiring veterans and spouses of service members killed in active duty provided they are as qualified as other applicants. Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Massachusetts offer preferential hiring to vets for government jobs.

Jason Feifer, author of the new book Build for Tomorrow, said this is good business as well as pro-military. “The more that we can find ways for the public and private sector to work together to support people who have made sacrifices for our country is a good thing.

“Businesses want to attract and retain the best talent out there. And there is a lot of talent coming out of the military. They might not have the same level of corporate experience, but they have other intangibles that are of great value.”

Here are six companies going all in on hiring veterans:

1. Power Home Remodeling

When a veteran or veteran’s spouse is hired at Power Home Remodeling, they receive a $3,000 sign-on bonus or an $11,000 bonus if they’re hired via DoD SkillBridge or Hiring Our Heroes

The national home remodeling company also provides five additional days of paid time off each year to veterans and veteran spouses for VA appointments related to preventive care, disability claims or mental health counseling, or any appointments at their local VA office.  

2. Dow

Military experience translates to qualifying for open positions at the manufacturing giant Dow that would otherwise require an associate degree to be considered. Four or more years of relevant military experience becomes the equivalent to an associate degree during recruitment at the materials science company.

Dow also offers military degree equivalency — an E6 rank meets a bachelor’s degree requirement for many of their roles.

“Military training and experience instill active service members and veterans with the qualities and skill sets we are looking for in an employee,” said Jane Palmieri, president of Dow Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure. 

3. Sierra7

Disabled American Veterans recently named Sierra7 its Midsize Employer of the Year. In fact, the management consulting firm’s CEO and founder Rafael Fagundo served in the Navy and veterans comprise 40 percent of the leadership team.

Sierra7 pays an additional referral bonus of $500 when a veteran gets hired. The bonus is paid to the referring employee after the new hire completes the first 90 days of employment.

“Our literal mission statement is serving those who have served,” says Laurie Johnson, vice president of people and talent.

4. Schneider

If you drove a truck during active duty, then 100 percent of that time is applied to your driving experience credit at the transportation and logistics services company Schneider. The company recruits veterans and participates in a yearlong apprentice program with the Department of Labor and the VA.

During their first year at Schneider, veterans can earn a monthly educational benefit check from the VA in addition to their paycheck from Schneider — up to $1,431 each month.

5. Booz Allen Hamilton

Global consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton offers multiple leave options for veterans who are called back to serve. It provides paid short-term military leave for up to 20 days each calendar year to employees to fulfill their military training obligations, including training exercises/drills, active-duty training and inactive duty training.

Employees are paid the difference for those days if their regular pay is greater than the military base pay.

For long-term military leave, employees called back to active duty are eligible for salary continuation up to one year. They’re paid the difference between their regular employee pay and their military base pay up to a maximum of 12 consecutive months.

6. CRST 

Transportation company CRST offers an apprenticeship program that’s accredited through the VA and the Department of Labor that allows veterans to earn an additional $1,000 to $1,300 each month. Even better, this is a tax-free payment.

Plus, the company pays a $500 sign-on bonus to employees for veteran hires.

You can subscribe here to AARP Veteran Report, a free e-newsletter published every two weeks. If you have feedback or a story idea then please contact us here.

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