Texas Veteran's Employment & Transition Guide

Table of Content:

Texas Veteran Employment Programs and Benefits
Veterans Employment Preference in Texas Government Jobs
Veteran Jobs in Texas and Employment Resources
Military Service Credit Toward Texas State Retirement
Texas Veteran Job Training Grants & Transition Assistance
Texas Veteran Employers List: Texas Employers Actively Hiring Veterans (2026 List)

Transitioning from military service to a civilian career is challenging, confusing, and stressful for service members, Veterans, and their families. Fortunately, there are many resources available for Veterans to take advantage of. State-support, for instance, can be a Veteran’s best friend here. The state of Texas, for example, has cultivated one of the strongest support systems in the country, providing many resources for civilian career transition, job training, and financial security, including crucial retirement planning.

This guide serves as a practical, easy-to-navigate resource to help you fully understand and utilize your Texas Veteran employment benefits. You will also read about how to navigate government hiring preferences, access quality retraining options, and count your enlistment time toward a secure Texas state retirement. Everything you need to secure your next professional chapter is detailed here in one comprehensive and scannable place.

Texas Veteran Employment Programs and Benefits

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) and the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) coordinate an extensive network of Texas Veteran employment programs available to all Veterans. This network was designed to ensure that you receive the highest level of assistance and placement priority. These services are the foundation of effective Veteran transition programs in Texas.

Priority of Service Mandate

The most recognizable benefit is Priority of Service. By law, Veterans and eligible spouses receive precedence over non-Veterans in employment, training, and placement services through the TWC’s Workforce Solutions offices.

This means:

Faster Access: Vets are prioritized for job referrals, entry into training programs, and résumé critiques.
Specialized Staff: Vets are entitled to intensive services delivered by Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) specialists and Local Veterans Employment Representatives (LVERs). These services connect you directly with Veteran friendly employers in Texas.

Essential Job Placement and Resource Tools

WorkInTexas.com: This is the state’s official online job-matching system. It serves as a vital resource for any vet seeking Veteran jobs in Texas. It highlights job postings from employers committed to hiring Veterans, and offers a military skills translator to help you match your military occupational specialty (MOS) to in-demand civilian roles.

Military-to-Civilian Skills Translation: Beyond the online tool, TWC staff use sophisticated methods to help you translate the value of your military training in terms of civilian competencies, certifications, and experience.

The Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Employment Program: The TVC-Veterans Employment Services (TVC-VES) works closely with TWC to provide intense, personalized case management. TVC-VES focuses particularly on Veterans facing barriers to employment, such as service-connected disabilities, homelessness, etc.

Key Resources

For comprehensive assistance across the state, these offices act as your first point of contact:

Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Veteran Services: Offers Priority of Service, job referral, and career counseling at over 180 Workforce Solutions offices statewide.
Texas Veterans Commission (TVC): Provides intensive services, connects Veterans to federal and state benefits, and focuses on removing employment barriers.
WorkInTexas.com: The official online job database for all of Texas.

Veterans Employment Preference in Texas Government Jobs

One of the best Texas Veteran employment benefits is the mandatory preference granted to vets seeking employment within Texas state agencies. These include public universities, and local government entities. This Veteran job preference in Texas ensures that your service is recognized and rewarded in the public sector hiring process.

Understanding the Preference Mandate

Chapter 657 of the Texas Government Code is the legal mechanism that grants preference to the following eligible persons who received a discharge other than dishonorable:

A Veteran who served in the U.S. armed forces.
A disabled Veteran (defined as having a service-connected disability).
The un-remarried surviving spouse of a deceased Veteran who died on active duty or whose death was service-connected.
The orphan of a deceased Veteran who died while on active duty.

How the Preference is Applied

The Texas preference system differs from the federal points system. In Texas, the preference is applied as follows:

Equal Qualification Advantage: If two applicants are finalists for a position and are determined to be equally qualified, the applicant claiming the Veteran job preference Texas must be selected for the position.
Interview Quotas (In Some Cases): For many state entities, if a small number of applicants are interviewed, a required minimum percentage must be qualified Veterans or their families.

Required Documentation

To successfully claim Veteran job preference Texas during a state or local government application process, you must be prepared to submit official documentation. This is typically uploaded with your application or provided to the Human Resources department:

DD-214 (Member 4 Copy): This is the mandatory document showing your active duty service time and the character of your discharge (must be honorable or general).
VA Disability Letter: Disabled Veterans must submit a letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) verifying their service-connected disability rating.

Key Takeaway for Applicants

Indicating your military status helps you receive crucial Texas Veteran employment benefits here. The preference is a significant advantage that can be the deciding factor when your qualifications are comparable to a non-Veteran candidate. There are mixed opinions per public perception about how America handles its Veterans. However, when it comes to employment, vets typically do take preference.

Veteran Jobs in Texas and Employment Resources

Securing meaningful Veteran jobs in Texas requires a proactive approach that utilizes the state’s resources. These tools extend beyond simple job listings to include skill translation, networking, and direct employer engagement.

Targeted Job Search Resources for Veterans

Veterans Employment Preference Registry: This online registry maintained by the TWC allows Veterans to post résumés for priority viewing by state agencies and other employers who support Texas Veteran employment programs.
Dedicated Veteran Job Boards: The TVC Job Bank and national sites like RecruitMilitary focus exclusively on connecting Veterans and military spouses with companies actively seeking vets.
Veteran Employer Portals: Many large Veteran friendly employers in Texas maintain dedicated military hiring portals on their websites. These portals are often optimized with internal skills translators and job titles that align with military experience.

Career Fairs and Networking Events

Hiring Red, White & You! (HRWY!): This is Texas’s premier, statewide Veteran hiring event, typically held in November. Organized by TWC, TVC, and the state’s Workforce Solutions partners, this event brings thousands of Veterans and military spouses together with hundreds of Veteran friendly employers in the state. For Veterans in Texas, this is like a huge job fair.

Local Workforce Solutions Events: Nearly every Workforce Solutions office hosts local job fairs, often with specific segments dedicated to Veterans, ensuring focused connections between employers and qualified vets.

Professional Readiness Support

Staff at Workforce Solutions offices provide intensive Veteran support in Texas for transitioning by offering:

Résume Development: Specialized assistance to transform military experience into professional, results-oriented civilian résumés.
Interview Coaching: Preparation for common civilian interview styles, including behavioral questions and practice sessions.
Networking Groups: Access to local networking groups and the Texas Veterans Leadership Program (TVLP), a peer-to-peer network designed to support post-9/11 Veterans in their transition.

Military Service Credit Toward Texas State Retirement

For Veterans who transition into Texas state employment, a key benefit is the ability to credit active-duty military service time toward their future state retirement benefit. This is done through the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS). This is a powerful component of financial Veteran transition support in the state.

ERS Military Service in The State

ERS members can establish credit for up to 60 months (five years) of honorable active-duty military service.

The Process: Purchase vs. Time Only

Time Only Credit: In some cases, military service time may be established for the purpose of meeting basic eligibility requirements (such as the number of years needed to qualify for ERS health insurance upon retirement) without purchasing the service. This is established by providing your DD-214.

Purchase/Credited Service (The Primary Benefit): This option is crucial because purchasing the credit allows the time to count fully toward the calculation of your retirement annuity and it helps you reach eligibility milestones sooner (e.g., the Rule of 80).

Eligibility and Cost to Purchase

Eligibility: You must be an active ERS member, have served a period of active duty, and have received an honorable discharge. The service time cannot already be credited toward another government-based retirement system.

Cost Calculation: The cost to purchase ERS military service in Texas credit is not a fixed amount. It is calculated based on:

Your current salary (or the salary when you first became an ERS member).
The actuarial cost of the benefit (State’s contribution rate).
The interest rate applied since your initial ERS membership.
Crucial Note: Because the cost calculation is based on your current salary and applicable interest, the cost generally increases over time. It is wise to request an estimate and purchase the credit as early as possible in your state career.

The Process: Purchase vs. Time Only

To begin the process of purchasing ERS military service in Texas credit:

Request an Estimate: Contact ERS directly to request an application and a cost estimate.
Submit Documentation: Provide the completed application and a copy of your DD-214 (Member 4).
Complete Payment: Payment can typically be made via a lump-sum check, installment plan, or a rollover from an eligible pre-tax retirement plan.

By establishing this credit, a Veteran can significantly decrease the years they need to work to retire with a full pension benefit, providing immense financial value.

Texas Veteran Job Training Grants & Transition Assistance

Accelerated job training and transition assistance programs are essential tools for bridging any potential skills gap between military specialization and civilian industry needs. Texas leverages both state and federal initiatives to provide this crucial Veteran transition support in Texas.

SkillBridge in Texas: The Ultimate Bridge

The Department of Defense (DoD) SkillBridge program is a federal initiative that allows transitioning service members to accrue civilian work experience through internships, apprenticeships, or specialized training during their final 180 days of active-duty service.

Zero Cost to Service Member: Participants continue to receive their military pay and benefits during the program.
Zero Cost to Employer: The host company benefits from highly skilled, motivated workers at no payroll cost, leading to high post-program hiring rates.
Texas A&M System Partnership: The Texas A&M University System is a major facilitator of SkillBridge in the state, offering opportunities in everything from cybersecurity to supply chain management.
Success Story: Many Veterans utilizing SkillBridge have reported securing employment offers with their host company before their official separation date.

Job Training Grants and Educational Support

Beyond SkillBridge in Texas, Veterans have access to extensive educational funding options, which serve as essential Veteran transition programs in Texas:

WIOA Training Grants (Texas Workforce Commission): Under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), vets have priority for grants that cover tuition, books, and fees for vocational training, technical schools, and certification programs in occupations across the state.
The Hazlewood Act: This is a Texas-specific benefit offering up to 150 hours of tuition exemption at public institutions of higher education for qualified Veterans, children, and spouses.
Apprenticeships and OJT: The TWC works with employers to establish Registered Apprenticeships and On-the-Job Training (OJT) programs. These programs pay Veterans while they learn a trade. If you are eligible for the GI Bill, you may also receive a monthly non-taxable housing stipend from the VA in addition to your regular OJT wages.

Texas Veteran Employers List: Texas Employers Actively Hiring Veterans (2026 List)

The presence of major military installations and a strong state commitment means Texas is home to many companies dedicated to hiring Veterans. The following list highlights Veteran friendly employers in Texas. These companies are recognized for their complete Veteran transition support and active recruitment efforts in 2026.

Checklist for Identifying Veteran-Supportive Employers

Before committing to an employer, use this checklist to gauge their level of dedication to hiring Veterans:

The company participates in the Texas Veterans Employer Liaison or Hiring Red, White & You! initiative: Shows active engagement with state Veteran agencies.
Has a documented Veteran recruitment program or internal Veteran Resource Group (VRG): Provides an internal support structure.
Provides transition or mentorship programs for newly separated service members: Indicates dedicated Veteran transition programs in Texas within the company.
Offers recognition for military experience in hiring or pay grade decisions: Confirms military time translates to measurable career and salary advancement.
Partners with VA, TVC, or DOL Veteran employment services: Demonstrates a reliable external support network.

Top Veteran-Friendly Employers in Texas (2026 Focus)

USAA

- Industry: Financial Services/Insurance
- Veteran Initiatives: Founded by military members, USAA has one of the highest percentages of Veteran employees in the U.S. workforce. They are consistently ranked among the top Veteran friendly employers in the state.
- Direct Job Portal Link: Search “Military Careers” on their corporate site.

Lockheed Martin

- Industry: Aerospace & Defense
- Veteran Initiatives: A major defense contractor with a large presence in Fort Worth and across the state. They actively recruit Veterans for engineering, manufacturing, and program management roles. They are an active participant in SkillBridge in Texas.
- Direct Job Portal Link: Search their “Military and Veterans” career page.

BNSF Railway

- Industry: Transportation and Logistics
- Veteran Initiatives: BNSF actively recruits Veterans for roles in transportation, mechanical, and technology due to their discipline and safety focus. They have a Veterans Resource Group and are often one of the largest employers participating in the Hiring Red, White & You! statewide job fair.
- Direct Job Portal Link: Search “Veteran Careers” on their main site.

Amazon

- Industry: E-commerce, Technology, Logistics
- Veteran Initiatives: With huge operations in Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio, Amazon is a major employer of Veterans. Their “Warriors at Amazon” internal network and pledge to hire thousands of Veterans and spouses make them a top target for Veteran jobs in Texas.
- Direct Job Portal Link: Look for their “Military and Spouses” careers page.

Baylor Scott & White Health

- Industry: Healthcare
- Veteran Initiatives: As one of the largest non-profit healthcare systems in Texas, they specifically target Veterans for clinical, administrative, security, and IT roles.
- Direct Job Portal Link: Search for “Veteran Careers” or “Military Hiring” on their career portal.

Dell Technologies

- Industry: Technology
- Veteran Initiatives: Headquartered in Round Rock, Dell has a powerful commitment to Veterans through its “Dell Technologies Veterans and Supporters” VRG. They actively partner with Veteran organizations and offer specific programs to translate military IT skills into data center, cloud, and sales roles.
- Direct Job Portal Link: Search their dedicated “Veterans Hiring” landing page.

Cummins

- Industry: Manufacturing, Power Generation, and Technology
- Veteran Initiatives: With large operations in San Antonio and Houston, Cummins is a key industrial employer. They are a prominent SkillBridge in Texas employer, offering internships in fields like Power Generation Technician, which often lead to full-time employment.
- Direct Job Portal Link: Search “Military and Veterans” careers.

Maximizing Your Success in the Lone Star State

Your service has equipped you with skills that are in high demand across the civilian sector. Texas recognizes this value and has built an extensive and accessible ecosystem of Texas Veteran employment programs to ensure your success.

We urge you to immediately take advantage of the state’s resources. Leverage the Veteran job preference Texas for public sector roles, accelerate your training through SkillBridge in Texas or WIOA grants, use the career services available at every Workforce Solutions office, and secure your financial future by exploring the purchase of ERS military service in Texas credit.

Every tool discussed, from job placement agencies to the network of Veteran friendly employers, is available to provide Veteran transition support in Texas. Texas Veteran employment benefits certainly do exist for vets. Use this guide to find them and to secure a bright, prosperous future.

Explore other texas veteran resources

Below you’ll find a complete breakdown of Texas veteran benefits and support programs available in 2026. These categories cover everything from VA compensation, healthcare, education, housing, and employment, to financial assistance, legal help, family benefits, and exclusive veteran discounts. Each section links to detailed guides designed to help veterans, service members, and families understand eligibility, application steps, and how to access the support they’ve earned.