The High Paying Job Military Veterans Never Heard Of

One of the questions I get from veterans all the time is:

“Why would companies pay veterans six-figure salaries?”

At first glance, it sounds almost too good to be true. But here’s the reality—veterans bring a kind of value that most people outside the military will never fully understand, and companies selling to the U.S. government are willing to pay top dollar for it.

Let me break this down for you.

Why Veterans Have an “Unfair Advantage”

The U.S. government is the largest customer in the world. Every year, it spends hundreds of billions on products and services—everything from cybersecurity and construction to software, vehicles, and logistics. But here’s the problem: most companies have no idea how to sell to the government.

That’s where veterans come in.

You already understand the structure, the chain of command, the acronyms, and the culture. You’ve lived it. That insider knowledge creates instant credibility. When you sit across from a colonel, program manager, or contracting officer, you speak their language. That connection can’t be faked—and companies know it.

Add to that your specific job expertise from the military—whether it’s logistics, aviation, cybersecurity, medical, or engineering—and suddenly you’re not just another job candidate. You’re someone who can open doors that others can’t. That’s why companies are willing to pay six figures (and sometimes much more) for veterans in government-facing roles.

Two High-Income Career Paths for Veterans

There are really two main ways to turn your military experience into serious income:

1. Get a High-Paying Government Contracting Sales Job

Think of roles like account executive or business development manager at companies that sell to DoD or federal agencies. These jobs often pay $200K–$300K+ a year once you have the right mix of military knowledge and contracting know-how.

Companies will hire you because you bridge the gap between their product or service and the military customer. You already know who to talk to, how to talk to them, and what matters most.

2. Start Your Own Consulting Business

The other path—and one I’ve seen veterans thrive in—is consulting. Instead of working for just one company, you package your expertise and help multiple companies break into government contracting.

Solo consultants can easily make $300K–$500K a year. And if you scale—by building a team, offering training, or running group programs—you can go even higher.

Consulting gives you independence, control, and the chance to build something that’s truly your own.

Why Training in Government Contracting Is the Key

Here’s the catch: most veterans don’t come out of the military knowing how the government actually buys things. You know the culture, you know the customer, but you don’t yet know the procurement process—the FAR, the contract vehicles, the bidding systems, the sales cycle.

That’s where training comes in.

At GovClo, we’ve built a one-year training and implementation program specifically for veterans (and federal employees) who want to break into this world. We teach you:

• How to track and interpret federal spending data.

• How to position yourself for government sales jobs or consulting work.

• Step-by-step sales strategies that actually work with agencies.

• How to launch and grow your own consulting business.

And we don’t just hand you information and send you on your way. GovClo includes weekly coaching, certification, and a “war room” environment where you collaborate with peers, contracting officers, sales executives, and other veterans who’ve been in your shoes.

It’s a proven roadmap with accountability built in.

A Word of Caution: Don’t Skip Commercial Sales Experience

I’ll be honest with you—if you try to start a business tomorrow and only sell to the government, you’re going to struggle. Government contracting is slow. The sales cycle is long. It can take 12 to 18 months before you land a deal.

That’s why I usually recommend veterans start by:

• Getting a government sales job first or

• Building a consulting business that includes commercial sales revenue alongside government work.

That commercial experience gives you credibility and keeps your business cash flow healthy while you pursue larger government opportunities. It’s the smarter, more sustainable play.

Why You Shouldn’t Undervalue Your Experience

Here’s what I want every veteran to hear: don’t sell yourself short.

Your military background isn’t just “experience”—it’s an asset that companies will pay a premium for. You have the knowledge, credibility, and perspective that they desperately need. Whether you choose a high-paying government sales job or decide to launch a consulting business, your service has already given you a foundation most people will never have.

The only missing piece is learning how to turn that foundation into income. And that’s exactly what we do at GovClo.

So, if you’ve ever wondered why veterans are being paid six figures, now you know. The real question is: how are you going to leverage your advantage?

If you’re a veteran (or federal employee) wondering how to translate your experience into a six-figure career, the opportunity is real. The key is learning the contracting side of the house and surrounding yourself with the right training and community.

Your service has already given you the foundation. Now it’s time to build on it.

👉 Learn more about starting your consulting business at GovClose.com

👉Get Weekly Government Contracting Business Tips: https://federalytics.substack.com

👉 Explore the GovClose Certification Program for step-by-step training

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