Employment

Los Angeles is a very large metropolitan area, and jobs are available throughout the many surrounding cities. The key to finding a job here is to be flexible—flexible as to the distance you will commute, the salary you expect and the type of industry for which you are willing to work.

The cost of living in El Segundo where the base is located is quite high, 61.7% higher than the U.S. average. El Segundo has a rating of 161.7, compared to the average U.S. city rating of 100, on Sperling's Best Places, and housing as the highest factor.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates the unemployment rate in California was 4.5% in May 2022.  In the L.A. County the unemployment rate was 5% in March 2023.

California data shows the occupations with most job openings in L.A. County include education services, professional and business services, leisure and hospitality and retail trade.

Please visit the Military and Family Readiness Center if you require assistance with your job search preparation.

For job-hunting purposes, be sure to hand carry all employment documents such as employment history, job descriptions, transcripts, certificates, licenses, awards, DD Form 214 and SF-50. These documents and information are helpful in revising your resume and applying for new positions. You may also use cloud storage such as iCloud or Google Drive to store important documents for quick access to send to potential employers.

The Military & Family Readiness Center staff will assist spouses and family members in job searches, resume preparation and interview techniques. We offer regular classes on finding and applying for federal employment.

Federal jobs on base and at other government agencies can be found online at USAJOBS. The Non-Appropriated Fund positions on base include child care workers, clerks and lodging employees, though other positions become available from time to time. These jobs are posted on the Force Support website under Services & Support.

The Commissary and Base Exchange may also have job openings.

Military members ready to retire or separate have many stops to make in completing their out-processing checklists. Consider starting the Transition Assistance Program as soon as possible and scheduling your initial counseling and pre-separation counseling. The pre-separation counseling helps participants understand the valuable services and benefits offered to them before and after their separation from military service. The initial counseling and pre-separation counseling must be completed no later than 365 days before the projected separation date. We hold group pre-separation counseling sessions twice a month from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Los Angeles Air Force Base offers the TAP workshops once a month. This three-day workshop addresses resilience and financial readiness on the first day as well as the Military Occupational Classification Crosswalk exercise to determine what needs to be done to meet career goals.

On the second day, a briefer from the Department of Labor discusses job search, dressing for success, resume writing, interviewing and several other job-related topics. The Department of Veterans Affairs explains benefits for veterans on the third day.

The Department of Labor Employment Workshop is offered every month, and the vocational track, the Small Business Administration entrepreneur track (Boots to Business workshop) and the Department of Defense education track are offered quarterly. The Military and Family Readiness Center staff is always available for individual assistance to get veterans ready to join the civilian job market.

If you would like to sign up for the TAP workshops, please call the M&FRC at 310-653-5290 or email LAAFB.MFRC@spaceforce.mil.

MyCAA

For information on MyCAA and Military Spouse Education and Career Opportunities, please visit Military OneSource.

Unemployment compensation may be available for the spouse of newly assigned military members or civilian employees. For more information contact the California Employment Development Department.

Los Angeles is a very large metropolitan area, and jobs are available throughout the many surrounding cities. The best job prospects, according to the Los Angeles Times, are in durable goods manufacturing, financial activities, professional and business services and leisure and hospitality. Education and health services jobs are also good prospects. The unemployment rate in Los Angeles is 4.6% (Apr 2024, Bureau of Labor Statistics). The median household income is $77,456 for Los Angeles County and the median household income for the city of El Segundo is $117,231 (Census Bureau).

Unemployment compensation may be available for the spouse of a newly assigned military member or civilian employee. For more information contact the California Employment Development Department.