Best Federal Jobs for Veterans in 2026

Veterans have significant advantages in federal hiring. Here are the best federal jobs for veterans in 2026 and how to use your preference status to get hired faster.

If you're a veteran looking for a federal job, you have advantages that civilian applicants simply don't have. Veterans' preference, special hiring authorities, and direct hire programs can move you to the front of the line — if you know how to use them.

Veterans' Preference: What It Actually Means

Veterans' preference adds points to your score in the federal ranking system. Depending on your service and disability status, you may qualify for 5-point or 10-point preference. For positions ranked by score, this can be the difference between making the referral list and getting passed over.

10-point preference (for veterans with a service-connected disability) is particularly powerful — it can place you ahead of all non-preference candidates regardless of score.

Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans

Beyond preference points, veterans have access to hiring authorities that bypass the standard competitive process entirely:

VRA (Veterans Recruitment Appointment): Allows agencies to hire eligible veterans without competition for positions up to GS-11.

30% or More Disabled Veterans: Direct appointment authority for veterans with a 30%+ service-connected disability rating.

Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA): Allows veterans to apply to jobs open only to current federal employees.

Best Federal Agencies Hiring Veterans in 2026

• Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) — largest federal employer of veterans
• Department of Defense — extensive civilian workforce needs
• Department of Homeland Security — security and law enforcement roles
• Department of Transportation — infrastructure and aviation roles

How FedJobs Surfaces Veteran Opportunities

FedJobs filters federal job listings to surface positions where your veterans' preference status gives you the strongest advantage. Identify your best opportunities and apply with a resume already formatted for federal hiring.

Start your veteran federal job search at FedJobs.co.