Best Certifications for Veterans by MOS

You already have the skills — you just need the paper to prove it. One of the fastest ways to accelerate your civilian career is earning industry certifications that validate what the military already taught you. The right certification can be the difference between an entry-level position and a mid-career salary from day one. Here is a breakdown of the best certifications by MOS category, along with costs, study timelines, and what you can expect to earn.

Use our MOS Translator to see specific civilian career paths for your exact military code.

Combat Arms (Infantry, Armor, Artillery, Combat Engineers)

Combat arms veterans often worry they have no transferable skills, but that could not be further from the truth. You have leadership experience that most civilians will never match — you managed teams under extreme pressure, planned and executed complex operations, and solved problems with lives on the line. Here are the certifications that package those skills:

• PMP (Project Management Professional): Your experience planning missions translates directly to project management. Cost: approximately $555 for the exam (PMI member rate). Study timeline: 2 to 4 months. Average salary: $95,000 to $130,000. You will need 36 months of project management experience (military operations count) or a four-year degree plus 36 months.
• OSHA 30 / OSHA 510: If you are interested in construction management or safety roles, OSHA certifications are highly valued. Cost: $200 to $700. Timeline: 1 to 4 weeks. Average salary for safety managers: $75,000 to $100,000.
• Security+ or CPP (Certified Protection Professional): The security and defense contracting industry loves combat arms veterans. Security+ costs about $404 for the exam and takes 4 to 8 weeks of study. The CPP is more senior-level and opens doors to corporate security director roles paying $100,000 or more.

Intelligence and Cyber (35-series, CT, IS, 1N)

Intel and cyber veterans are in extremely high demand, especially if you hold or recently held a clearance. The combination of a TS/SCI and the right certification is a six-figure starting salary in many markets.

• CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional): The gold standard for cybersecurity. Requires five years of experience in two or more CISSP domains (military cyber and intel work qualifies). Cost: $749 exam fee. Study timeline: 3 to 6 months. Average salary: $120,000 to $160,000. With a clearance, expect even higher.
• Security+ (CompTIA): DoD 8570/8140 baseline certification that many of you already have. If not, it is the entry point for government and contractor IT security roles. Cost: $404. Timeline: 4 to 8 weeks. Average salary: $75,000 to $95,000.
• CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker): Great for offensive security roles. Cost: $1,199 (includes training). Timeline: 2 to 3 months. Average salary: $90,000 to $130,000.

Medical (68-series, HM, 4N, Medical Corps)

Military medics and corpsmen have exceptional clinical experience, but the civilian healthcare system requires specific licenses. The good news: many states offer expedited licensing for military-trained medical professionals.

• NREMT (National Registry EMT / Paramedic): Many military medics can challenge the NREMT exam based on their training. Cost: $80 to $110 for the exam. Average EMT salary: $38,000 to $48,000; Paramedic: $50,000 to $65,000. Some fire departments pay significantly more.
• LPN/LVN or RN (Nursing): The GI Bill or VR&E can cover nursing school. LPN programs are 12 to 18 months; RN (ADN) is about 2 years. RN average salary: $80,000 to $95,000. With a BSN, expect $90,000 or more.
• CPC (Certified Professional Coder): For medics interested in the business side of healthcare. Medical coding pays $50,000 to $70,000 and can be done remotely. Cost: $399 exam. Timeline: 4 to 6 months of study.

IT and Communications (25-series, IT, 3D, Cyberspace)

Military IT specialists often already hold some CompTIA certifications. The key is stacking the right ones for maximum civilian value.

• CompTIA Stack (A+, Network+, Security+): The foundational trio. If you have Security+, add Network+ and consider jumping to cloud certifications. Total cost for all three: roughly $1,100. Average salary with the stack: $60,000 to $85,000.
• AWS Solutions Architect / Azure Administrator: Cloud certifications are among the most valuable in tech right now. AWS SAA exam: $300. Study timeline: 2 to 3 months. Average salary: $110,000 to $145,000.
• CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate): Essential for networking roles. Cost: $330 exam. Timeline: 2 to 4 months. Average salary: $70,000 to $95,000.

Logistics and Supply Chain (92-series, LS, 2T, Supply)

Military logistics professionals managed supply chains that most civilian companies can only dream of. The scale and complexity of military logistics is genuinely world-class. These certifications translate that experience:

• APICS CSCP or CPIM: The industry standard for supply chain management. CSCP exam: $795 (non-member). Study timeline: 3 to 6 months. Average salary: $80,000 to $110,000. CPIM is the alternative if you focus on production and inventory.
• Six Sigma Green Belt / Black Belt: Process improvement methodology used across every industry. Green Belt: $300 to $400 and 2 to 3 months of study. Black Belt: $1,500 to $3,000 and 6 to 12 months. Black Belt average salary: $100,000 to $130,000.
• CDL (Commercial Driver License): If you drove military vehicles, you may qualify for an expedited CDL. Many states waive the skills test for veterans with military driving experience. Cost: $100 to $300 for licensing. Average trucker salary: $55,000 to $80,000, with specialized hauling paying more.

Aviation (15-series, AW, 2A, Pilots)

Military aviation experience — both maintenance and flight — translates directly to civilian aviation. The FAA recognizes military training, and several pathways are streamlined for veterans.

• FAA A&P (Airframe and Powerplant): Military aircraft maintainers can get credit toward their A&P license. You may be able to sit for the exam based on military experience alone. Cost: $300 to $900 in exam fees. Average salary: $65,000 to $90,000. Senior mechanics and inspectors earn over $100,000.
• FAA Commercial Pilot License (CPL) / ATP: Military pilots can convert their ratings to FAA certificates. The process requires FAA medical certification and some additional testing. Airline pilot average salary: $130,000 to $200,000 or more at major carriers. The pilot shortage means airlines are actively recruiting military aviators with signing bonuses.
• UAS (Drone) Remote Pilot Certificate: Part 107 certification for commercial drone operations. Rapidly growing field for surveying, inspection, and cinematography. Cost: $175 exam. Timeline: 2 to 4 weeks. Salary varies widely: $50,000 to $100,000 depending on specialization.