Best Jobs for Military Spouses

If you’re a military spouse, moving is part of life. In the military, this is known as a permanent change of station (PCS) and can occur at any point of the year, from any location, and within even short time frames. While you begin to pack up valuables, find new housing, and take stock of everything to change over, maintaining a rewarding career can be one of the most difficult steps.

Fortunately, plenty of companies and organizations recognize the value of military spouses as hard-working and dedicated employees. Some industries pair well with a military lifestyle, while others offer options like remote work that make it easier for military spouses to maintain career continuity.

Many jobs vary based on education and experience requirements, flexibility and portability, and industry demand. Our list includes both remote and in-person options that work with the military lifestyle, allowing everyone in the family to take the next career step.

As you prepare for a PCS move, add employment research to your to-do list.

Don’t forget to lean on your military family network. It’s very possible that people you’ve met at your current duty station lived in other locations and may have leads for employment there. 

Military OneSource, a program run by the Department of Defense, includes webinars, career coaches, job boards, and general employment guidance specifically focusing on military spouses. Best of all, you can learn how to navigate different careers as a military spouse and find job openings that work for you right from your own computer.

Hiring fairs are also great resources since companies are actively seeking new employees. This can help streamline the job search, and you might even interview and get an offer on the spot.

Military spouses looking for new employment need to consider many factors, but moving is one of those that comes up the most.

The Department of Defense shared that the average military family moves every two to three years, uprooting not just the service member but the entire family. Spouses and kids have to acclimate to a new home, school system, and job.

The military move system isn’t without its challenges, and it doesn’t always mean smooth moves without delays. The National Military Family Association, a non-profit that advocates for and supports military families, shared that “military families are still facing significant delays, divided accountability, higher out-of-pocket costs, and an inability to rely on the very system meant to support them.”

With more than 400,000 moves occurring each year, it’s more important than ever that spouses have opportunities for meaningful employment to contribute to their family’s financial stability during each move.

We compiled a list of industries that complement the military lifestyle, including those that provide additional incentives for military spouses, support for licensure, and remote work opportunities.

Government and Public Sector

Working within the federal government and public sector can be a good fit for military spouses and has plenty of pros when looking into a new career path. It doesn’t work for everyone; however, it can offer a job that can grow with you as you move.

• High portability: Government organizations can have offices across multiple regions, making transferring without disrupting your career easier.
• A bachelor’s degree may be required. Many positions within government require a four-year degree, but the requirements for each individual job are clearly listed when you apply.
• This job is typically done in person or a hybrid of in-office and remote work.
• Government employment can be one of the most stable jobs, with opportunities for promotion to higher-paying levels with more responsibility.

Business/Admin Support and HR

Working in business and human resources is a great option for military spouses, especially those who work well with others and like to help others advance their careers.

• High portability: Skills in administration and HR are always in high demand. Even after you move, finding a new position in this industry can be easier than in others.
• The required level of education depends on your specific job. Administrative assistants and support typically need a high school diploma or associate’s degree, while more senior administrative roles and HR require a four-year degree.
• Many administrative tasks can be done remotely, which is why these roles have more remote work opportunities than others. You can even find entire companies that cater to remote HR and administrative work.
• Administrative and HR employees are always needed.

Healthcare and Social Services

If you love to help people, a career in healthcare or social services can be rewarding and still work with a military lifestyle.

• High portability: In most healthcare-related positions, you need to have a professional license and certifications. But these can go from state to state or be easily transferred in some cases. The Department of Defense supports military spouse license portability through the Military Spouse Licensure Relief Act, which encourages states to recognize valid professional licenses from previous duty stations. Many states also participate in interstate compacts, such as the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), which helps simplify the transfer of credentials across state lines for certain professions.
• This field almost always requires formal education. A bachelor’s degree is often required, but entry positions that require other training, such as a CNA, can also be found.
• The work is typically done in person, but you can find openings at just about any location you move to.
• If it works with your living situation, a travel healthcare position might be a good option. It tends to pay higher and can be done for months at a time, letting you take more time off later.

Education

Education is a very rewarding career that can work well for military spouses, especially those with children.

• High portability: Every state needs teachers, both in the public and private sectors. You can find a job just about anywhere you move, including overseas in locations with a base or international schools.
• You’ll need a bachelor’s degree for most full-time teaching positions, but there are other educational roles that do not require a degree, such as substitute teaching or becoming a paraprofessional (teacher’s aide). Each state sets its own requirements, and many offer short-term or emergency substitute licenses that require only a high school diploma, background check, and basic training. These roles can offer great flexibility, particularly for military spouses with caregiving responsibilities or who want to explore teaching before committing to a degree program.
• Teaching jobs typically require in-person work in the classroom, but you can sometimes find specialized schools or opportunities for remote teaching.

IT

For those more tech-inclined, a career in IT can be the perfect fit. While it requires some training, it is a very portable and growing industry.

• High portability: There are always opportunities for go-getters in IT, whether in the private or public sectors. You can move with the skills that you gain and always find a job in this field.
• A bachelor’s degree and technical certificates are almost always required. Certifications can be costly, but some programs help offset the expense for military spouses. Once you earn a certification, you can use most across state lines and even internationally.
• IT is a very remote-friendly career path. You might be able to find a rewarding position and maintain the same role within the company from anywhere you move.
• There are a lot of opportunities for career growth within IT. You can learn new skills and add certifications to open up new roles and projects.

Finance Services

Many jobs within financial services have stable work, which works well with the demands of a military lifestyle.

• High portability: Many finance roles are available nationwide, but you may need to transfer your certifications to new states and locations when you move. Professions like financial advisors, insurance agents, and mortgage loan officers are often state-regulated and typically require re-licensing or registration when relocating.
• For Certified Public Accountants (CPAs), licenses can generally transfer across states, but you may need to notify the new state board, fulfill additional continuing education requirements, or meet specific practice requirements.
• Some state licensing boards offer military spouse-friendly policies, such as temporary or expedited licenses, to reduce employment disruptions during PCS moves. The Department of Defense and state governments continue to collaborate to improve license portability for relocating spouses in regulated industries.

Customer Service and Sales

All companies want to keep customers happy, so a job in customer service or sales can be easy to find, even right after a military move.

• High portability: When you move, you might have to look for a new job, but there are plenty out there in customer service and sales. You can get started without any experience and will be in high demand with a proven track record of success in this industry.
• Most customer service and sales jobs don’t require a degree, so you can start immediately.
• Sales jobs tend to be in person, but you can find remote options from some companies. Customer service jobs in stores are in person, while remote work focuses on phone customer service experiences.
• Customer service and sales can have flexible schedules, but it will impact your earnings potential.

Transitioning to a new job with every PCS move can be one of the toughest parts of military life, especially when you’re trying to build a lasting, fulfilling career. That’s where remote work comes in. Flexible and location-independent, remote jobs offer military spouses a chance to maintain career momentum no matter where duty calls.

But not all remote jobs are created equal, and it’s important to do your homework before saying “yes” to a position. Ask detailed questions about the role, including whether the job has set working hours, required availability windows, or geographic restrictions. If you’re relocating overseas, for example, a six- to twelve-hour time difference can significantly affect your ability to stay in sync with a U.S.-based employer.

It’s also worth noting that while many industries now offer remote roles, some require more research than others. For instance, most education positions still rely on in-person classroom instruction. However, an increasing number of school districts and virtual academies offer online teaching opportunities—a great fit for licensed educators who move frequently.

Even fields like administrative support, IT, healthcare (telehealth roles), marketing, customer service, and freelance writing or design have embraced remote or hybrid models, giving spouses more options than ever before.

According to a 2023 FlexJobs survey, over 95% of military spouses say flexible or remote work is essential to their career growth. Fortunately, many employers are recognizing this need and building remote-friendly policies with military families in mind.

Popular Remote Jobs

• Customer Service Representative – Phone, chat, or email-based roles that offer flexible hours and minimal entry barriers.
• Virtual Assistant – Help small businesses or entrepreneurs with scheduling, inbox management, bookkeeping, and more.
• Remote Administrative Support – Work for larger companies in HR, project coordination, or executive assistance roles.
• Online Teacher or Tutor – Teach full-time at virtual schools or offer part-time tutoring in subjects like math, English, or ESL.
• Freelance Writer or Editor – Write content for websites, marketing agencies, or publications. Often deadline-driven but flexible.
• Social Media Manager – Manage content calendars, engagement, and analytics for brands and nonprofits.
• Medical Coder or Billing Specialist – Requires certification, but offers stability and is often fully remote.
• IT Support or Help Desk Technician – Many entry-level roles are available with just a few certifications.
• Graphic or Web Designer – Ideal for creative spouses with Adobe, Canva, or WordPress skills.
• Bookkeeper or Financial Assistant – Handle invoicing, payroll, or budgeting from anywhere with cloud-based tools.

Plenty of resources are out there to make the job search easier for military spouses. Some connect potential employers with people looking for a job. Others provide job training, resume review, and networking opportunities.

• Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP)
• Spouse Education and Career Opportunities (SECO)
• My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA)
• National Military Family Association (NMFA)
• Hire Heroes USA
• Hiring Our Heroes (HOH)
• American Corporate Partners (ACP)
• Military Spouse Preference in Federal Hiring
• License Transfer and Fee Reimbursement
• Onward to Opportunity (O2O) Career Training
• Blue Star Families – Career Resources
• Free LinkedIn Premium and LinkedIn Learning Subscriptions
• Military Spouse Fellowship at Finra Investor Education Foundation

Even though moving is part of military life, that doesn’t mean it’s always easy. Fortunately, there are resources to help you along the way from the job search to certifications and beyond.

AHRN is a partner you can rely on to navigate the complexities of a military move, from packing up all of your household goods to finding a new job.

Start with our PCS toolkit to ensure you’re prepared for every step of the PCS process. It provides all the answers you need, plus helpful checklists and guides to make the most of your adventure.