By the Numbers - Feb. 24, 2013

By the Numbers - Feb. 24, 2013

90%

The percentage of military spouses who report being underemployed, according to the results of the 2013 Military Spouse Employment Survey, recently released by the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) and the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University (IVMF). Underemployed, as defined by the parameters of the survey, means "they possess more formal education/experience than needed at their current or most recent position." 

Other study findings:

  • The youngest female spouses, ages 18-24, have the highest unemployment rate, at 30% -- three times higher than the comparable civilian group.
  • Female spouses who are employed earn, on the average, 38% less than their civilian counterparts.
  • 50% of the surveyed spouses indicated that their careers had some sort of certification or licensing requirement, and the average cost to renew/update a state certification or licensing requirement was $233.03.
  • 17% of the spouses reported being in school; 32% reporting having had trouble transferring academic credits.