Security clearances are among the most valuable assets veterans bring to the civilian job market. A clearance that took years and thousands of government dollars to obtain opens doors to positions that most civilians cannot access. This comprehensive guide explains everything you need to know about leveraging your security clearance in your job search, from understanding clearance levels to finding employers who will pay premium salaries for cleared candidates.
Understanding Security Clearance Levels
The federal government grants security clearances at several levels, each providing access to increasingly sensitive information. Understanding where your clearance falls helps you target appropriate positions and negotiate salaries.
Confidential Clearance
Confidential is the lowest level of security clearance. It provides access to information that could cause damage to national security if disclosed. Confidential clearances are relatively common and provide modest salary premiums of 5 to 10 percent over non-cleared positions.
Secret Clearance
Secret clearance allows access to information whose unauthorized disclosure could cause serious damage to national security. Most military members hold at least a Secret clearance. In the civilian market, Secret clearance typically commands salary premiums of 10 to 20 percent.
Top Secret Clearance
Top Secret clearance provides access to information that could cause exceptionally grave damage to national security. TS clearances require more extensive background investigations and take longer to obtain. Salary premiums for TS-cleared positions typically run 20 to 35 percent above comparable non-cleared roles.
Top Secret with SCI Access
Sensitive Compartmented Information access is not technically a clearance level but an additional authorization that restricts access to specific intelligence programs. TS/SCI access is highly valued in the defense and intelligence contractor community. Salary premiums often exceed 40 percent for positions requiring this access.
Special Access Programs
Beyond SCI, some positions require access to Special Access Programs with even more restrictive need-to-know requirements. SAP access is relatively rare and extremely valuable, often commanding salaries 50 percent or more above comparable non-SAP positions.
How Long Clearances Remain Active
Security clearances do not last forever. Understanding the lifecycle of your clearance helps you time your job search effectively.
Investigation Currency
Secret clearances remain current for 10 years from the date of your last investigation. Top Secret clearances require reinvestigation every 5 years. When you separate from military service, your clearance does not immediately expire, but it does begin to lapse.
Continuous Evaluation
The government has moved toward continuous evaluation for many clearance holders, replacing periodic reinvestigations with ongoing monitoring. This affects how long your clearance remains valid after separation.
Maintaining Your Clearance
To maintain your clearance after separation, you must find a cleared position before your access lapses. Most cleared employers can sponsor your clearance, keeping it active even if you have been out of the military for some time. However, if too much time passes, you may need to undergo a new investigation.
Types of Cleared Positions
Cleared positions span nearly every industry and occupation. While defense contractors are the most obvious employers of cleared personnel, many other sectors seek candidates with existing clearances.
Defense Contractors
Major defense contractors like Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics, and Boeing employ hundreds of thousands of cleared personnel. Positions range from engineering and IT to project management, logistics, and administrative roles.
Intelligence Community Contractors
Companies supporting the CIA, NSA, DIA, and other intelligence agencies seek candidates with TS/SCI access for positions in analysis, cybersecurity, linguistics, and technical operations.
Civilian Federal Agencies
Beyond DoD and intelligence agencies, many civilian agencies require cleared personnel. The Department of Energy, Department of State, Department of Homeland Security, and others employ cleared contractors and direct hires.
Cleared Technology Companies
Major technology companies including Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, Google, and Oracle have government contracting divisions that require cleared personnel for cloud computing, cybersecurity, and software development roles.
Salary Expectations for Cleared Positions
Security clearances command significant salary premiums in the job market. Here is what you can expect based on clearance level and role type.
Entry-Level Cleared Positions
Entry-level positions requiring Secret clearance typically pay 50,000 to 70,000 dollars, compared to 40,000 to 55,000 dollars for similar non-cleared roles. Entry-level TS/SCI positions often start at 65,000 to 85,000 dollars.
Mid-Level Cleared Positions
Mid-career professionals with Secret clearance typically earn 75,000 to 100,000 dollars. TS/SCI holders at this level often command 90,000 to 130,000 dollars. Specialized technical roles can exceed these ranges significantly.
Senior Cleared Positions
Senior professionals and managers with TS/SCI access frequently earn 130,000 to 180,000 dollars or more. Program managers, senior engineers, and cybersecurity specialists at the highest levels can exceed 200,000 dollars in total compensation.
Finding Cleared Positions
Searching for cleared positions requires different strategies than general job searching. Several resources specialize in matching cleared candidates with appropriate opportunities.
Cleared Job Boards
ClearanceJobs.com is the largest job board specifically for security-cleared professionals. ClearedConnections, ClearedExchange, and Intelligence Careers also specialize in cleared positions. These sites verify clearance status and connect you directly with employers seeking cleared candidates.
Direct Employer Applications
Major defense contractors post cleared positions on their career sites. Create accounts with Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, and other major contractors to receive alerts when matching positions open.
Cleared Recruiting Firms
Several recruiting firms specialize in placing cleared candidates. These firms have relationships with major contractors and can often provide access to positions not publicly advertised.
Geographic Considerations
Cleared positions concentrate in specific geographic areas. Understanding these clusters helps you target your job search effectively.
Washington DC Metro Area
The Washington DC metropolitan area, including Northern Virginia and Maryland, has the highest concentration of cleared positions in the country. The Pentagon, intelligence agencies, and hundreds of contractors are headquartered here.
Other Major Clearance Hubs
San Diego, Colorado Springs, Huntsville, Tampa, and San Antonio also have significant concentrations of cleared positions due to military bases and contractor facilities. Remote cleared work has expanded significantly since 2020, though many positions still require on-site presence.
Protecting Your Clearance Status
Your clearance can be revoked for various reasons. Protecting this valuable asset requires ongoing attention.
Financial Responsibility
Financial problems are among the most common reasons for clearance revocation or denial. Maintain good credit, pay bills on time, and address any financial issues promptly.
Foreign Contacts
Report any significant foreign contacts or travel as required. Undisclosed foreign relationships can raise serious security concerns.
Legal Issues
Criminal arrests or charges, even minor ones, must be reported and can affect clearance status. Avoid any legal entanglements that could jeopardize your clearance.
Your security clearance is a valuable career asset that took significant time and resources to obtain. By understanding its value, targeting appropriate positions, and protecting your clearance status, you can leverage this advantage into a successful and lucrative civilian career.
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