If you’re considering a career in Top Secret clearance jobs, here’s what you need to know:
- Earning Potential: Professionals with Top Secret clearance earn $15,000–$30,000 more annually than their non-cleared peers. Senior roles can exceed $200,000.
- Job Security: These roles are steady due to government funding and long-term contracts.
- High-Demand Roles: Cybersecurity specialists, engineers, intelligence analysts, and program managers are among the top-paying positions.
- Key Locations: Washington, D.C., Colorado Springs, San Diego, and Huntsville are hotspots for these jobs.
- Clearance Process: Requires U.S. citizenship, a detailed background check (up to 10 years), and sometimes polygraph tests.
- Maintaining Clearance: Regular updates, financial stability, and adherence to security protocols are crucial.
Top Secret clearance opens doors to high-paying, stable opportunities in sectors like defense, intelligence, and technology. While the process to obtain and maintain clearance is rigorous, the financial and career benefits make it worthwhile.
How to Get $100,000+/yr Government Security Clearance for Free (Full Guide Without the Military)
Top Secret Clearance Salaries: What to Expect
Having a Top Secret clearance can significantly increase your earning potential. This level of clearance is highly valued by employers across various sectors, as it demonstrates a high degree of trustworthiness and specialized expertise.
Here’s a closer look at how salaries are influenced by factors like pay scales, location, and industry demand.
Average Salaries and Pay Ranges
Salaries for professionals with Top Secret clearance depend on factors like job role, experience, and location. However, one thing is clear – cleared professionals typically earn more than their non-cleared counterparts. Entry-level positions often start with competitive pay, but salaries can grow significantly as you gain experience.
Government jobs may offer slightly lower base pay compared to contractor roles, but they come with perks like solid retirement plans, job stability, and comprehensive health benefits. On the other hand, contractors often provide higher salaries upfront, making them an attractive option for many.
How Location Affects Your Salary
Where you work has a big impact on your paycheck as a cleared professional. Areas with a high demand for Top Secret clearance – think regions with defense contractors, intelligence hubs, or military installations – tend to offer higher salaries. This is often due to both strong competition for talent and cost-of-living adjustments.
In contrast, locations with fewer opportunities for clearance-related jobs may offer lower salaries. That said, these positions can still be competitive when adjusted for the local cost of living, giving professionals flexibility in choosing where to live and work.
Compensation Trends by Industry
The value of a Top Secret clearance varies by industry, and some sectors are willing to pay a premium to attract cleared professionals. Cybersecurity is a standout, consistently offering higher salaries for those with active clearances. Similarly, federal contractors, defense companies, and even energy firms are competing to hire and retain top talent with this credential.
If you’re looking to maximize your earnings, focusing your job search on these industries could be a smart move.
High-Paying Jobs That Require Top Secret Clearance
Having a Top Secret clearance opens doors to high-paying careers in defense and intelligence. These roles not only offer competitive starting salaries but also provide significant opportunities for financial growth as you gain experience and expertise.
Top Positions and Their Salaries
Professionals with Top Secret clearance can pursue a variety of roles where specialized skills can significantly increase earning potential. Some of the standout positions include:
- Intelligence Analysts: These experts gather and interpret sensitive information. Specializing in areas like counterterrorism or cyber intelligence can lead to even higher pay.
- Cybersecurity Specialists: Responsible for safeguarding classified networks, these professionals see their salaries climb as they gain experience and take on leadership roles.
- Systems Engineers: Tasked with designing and maintaining secure systems, senior-level engineers often command much higher compensation.
- Program Managers: Overseeing classified projects, these roles blend technical expertise with leadership skills. Successfully managing larger, more complex projects often results in notable salary increases.
Other roles, such as Logistics Managers, Counterintelligence Specialists, and SIGINT Analysts, follow a similar trajectory. Starting salaries are competitive, and as professionals take on more responsibilities and develop specialized knowledge, their earning potential grows.
These examples show how honing specific skills and focusing on niche expertise can significantly enhance salary prospects.
How Salaries Increase with Experience
Experience plays a key role in driving salary growth. Early in your career, building foundational skills leads to steady pay increases. As you progress, obtaining certifications and developing niche expertise can result in sharper salary jumps.
The most substantial salary boosts often occur when professionals advance into management or technical leadership roles. Certifications like ISP, DCSA, or CISSP further amplify earning potential in these positions.
With the ongoing demand for skilled professionals in the defense and intelligence sectors, Top Secret clearance remains a powerful asset for those looking to advance their careers and achieve long-term financial success.
How to Get and Keep Top Secret Clearance
Earning a Top Secret clearance is no small feat. It involves meeting strict qualifications, undergoing thorough background checks, and staying vigilant to maintain it once granted. Here’s what you need to know about the process and responsibilities involved.
Eligibility Requirements and Background Checks
To qualify for Top Secret clearance, you must be a U.S. citizen – either natural-born or naturalized. While holding dual citizenship doesn’t automatically disqualify you, it does add a layer of scrutiny, particularly regarding your foreign ties.
The background check, known as a Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) or Tier 5 (T5) investigation, is an in-depth process that often takes more than a year to complete. Investigators typically examine up to 10 years of your personal, financial, and professional history, though they may go further back depending on your circumstances.
Key factors under review include:
- Financial history: Investigators look at your credit report, debts, and overall financial management. Serious financial issues can be a red flag.
- Criminal record: While minor, older infractions are usually not disqualifying, recent or repeated offenses – especially those involving dishonesty – can be problematic.
- Drug use: The type of drug, frequency, and how recently it was used are all taken into account.
- Foreign connections and travel: Relationships with foreign nationals and extensive international travel may require additional documentation and explanation.
In-person interviews are conducted with references, former employers, neighbors, and others who can provide insights into your character and reliability. This helps investigators assess any potential security risks.
You’ll also need to complete the SF-86 Questionnaire for National Security Positions. This detailed form covers your employment, education, residences, foreign contacts, finances, and more. Accuracy is critical – errors or omissions can lead to denial of clearance.
These steps ensure only candidates who meet the highest standards of trustworthiness are granted Top Secret clearance.
Polygraph Tests and Salary Impact
For certain roles, particularly in intelligence agencies or specific Defense Department positions, a polygraph test may be required. There are two main types of polygraphs:
- Counterintelligence polygraph: This test focuses on issues like espionage, sabotage, and unauthorized sharing of classified information. It usually lasts a few hours and emphasizes your interactions with foreign entities.
- Full Scope (Lifestyle) polygraph: In addition to counterintelligence topics, this test covers personal conduct, criminal activity, and drug use.
Positions requiring polygraph testing often come with higher pay compared to roles that only require standard Top Secret clearance. However, honesty is non-negotiable during these exams. Attempting to deceive the test can lead to disqualification. If your results are inconclusive, you may be allowed to retake the test, but repeated inconsistencies could jeopardize your eligibility.
Passing the polygraph is just the beginning. Maintaining your clearance requires ongoing diligence.
Keeping Your Clearance Active
Once you’ve secured Top Secret clearance, staying compliant with security protocols is essential. Many agencies use Continuous Evaluation (CE) systems to monitor databases for potential red flags, such as legal or financial issues.
Periodic reinvestigations are also part of the process. These reviews, conducted every few years, require you to update your SF-86 and undergo another background check to account for any changes since your last review.
To keep your clearance in good standing:
- Report significant changes: Notify your security officer immediately about any legal issues, financial difficulties, extended international travel, or new relationships with foreign nationals. Failing to report such changes can lead to suspension or revocation of your clearance.
- Maintain financial stability: If financial problems arise, address them promptly and communicate your efforts to resolve them with your security officer.
- Avoid security violations: Mishandling classified information or failing to follow proper procedures can result in the loss of your clearance. If a mistake occurs, report it immediately rather than trying to cover it up.
If your clearance is revoked, you do have the option to appeal the decision. However, staying proactive and transparent is the best way to avoid this outcome.
Lastly, your clearance remains active only if you’re employed in a position that requires it. If you leave such a role, your clearance may become inactive over time. Returning to a cleared position after a long gap could mean undergoing a new investigation.
While the process of obtaining and maintaining Top Secret clearance is demanding, it opens the door to specialized roles and opportunities in the defense and intelligence fields. The rewards often outweigh the effort.
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Where to Find Top Secret Clearance Jobs
Looking for Top Secret clearance jobs? Focus your search on sectors and regions where these roles are in high demand.
Industries Hiring Cleared Professionals
Certain industries consistently seek professionals with Top Secret clearance due to their work involving highly classified information.
Federal government agencies are among the largest employers of individuals with Top Secret clearance. Agencies like the Department of Defense, National Security Agency, Central Intelligence Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Department of Homeland Security frequently hire for roles in intelligence analysis, cybersecurity, counterterrorism, and technical operations. While government positions may offer slightly lower base salaries than contractor roles, they often provide strong benefits and job stability.
Defense contractors play a huge role in the cleared job market. Companies such as Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon Technologies, General Dynamics, and Boeing handle national security projects that require Top Secret clearance [1]. For example, in November 2025, Boeing listed numerous security clearance jobs in California, including positions like Systems Engineer and Space Communications Payload Systems Engineer [2]. These companies hire for a variety of roles, including systems engineering, software development, logistics, and program management.
Aerospace and defense manufacturing companies also rely on cleared professionals to develop and maintain military aircraft, satellites, missile systems, and other defense technologies. This work often involves access to information that, if compromised, could cause severe national security risks [1].
Intelligence and research organizations are another key employer. They hire analysts, linguists, and technical specialists to support national security missions, often requiring both specialized skills and clearance eligibility.
Knowing which industries actively hire cleared professionals can help you target your job search effectively.
Best Locations for Cleared Jobs
Geography matters. Top Secret clearance jobs tend to be concentrated in specific regions, often near defense installations, military bases, and contractor hubs.
The Washington D.C. metropolitan area, including Northern Virginia and Maryland, consistently leads in Top Secret clearance opportunities. This region is home to the Pentagon, numerous intelligence agencies, and hundreds of defense contractors. With so much classified work taking place here, the D.C. metro area is the epicenter for cleared jobs.
Colorado Springs, Colorado, is another hotspot. The city hosts Peterson Space Force Base, Schriever Space Force Base, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and U.S. Northern Command. Many defense contractors supporting space and missile defense operations are based here, creating a steady demand for cleared professionals.
California is a major center for security clearance jobs, especially in aerospace and defense. Boeing alone offers 75 security clearance positions in the state [2]. Southern California, including Los Angeles, San Diego, and the Mojave Desert, is particularly active due to aerospace and naval operations. Additionally, the intersection of the state’s tech industry with defense work creates unique opportunities for cleared tech professionals.
Other regions with strong cleared job markets include Huntsville, Alabama (focused on Army missile and space programs); San Antonio, Texas (home to Air Force installations and cybersecurity operations); Charleston, South Carolina (naval and aerospace manufacturing); the Boston area in Massachusetts (defense technology and research institutions); and parts of New York (intelligence and counterterrorism work).
While remote work is growing in many sectors, classified roles typically require on-site presence in secure facilities. Being open to relocation can significantly broaden your opportunities and may even lead to higher salaries in competitive markets for cleared talent.
How to Advance Your Cleared Career
Holding a Top Secret clearance can open many doors, but advancing your career in this space requires more than just having the clearance. To truly excel, you need to focus on sharpening your skills and strategically positioning yourself for the best opportunities. With the financial and career advantages that come with a Top Secret clearance, you’re already starting from a strong place – now it’s about building on that foundation.
Building Skills That Employers Want
Sure, having a clearance is a big plus, but what really sets you apart is specialized expertise. Employers are willing to pay top dollar for professionals with in-demand skills.
Take a look at some high-paying roles: Network Security Engineers earn around $141,726 per year, Software Architects bring in about $183,035 annually, and Network Engineers make roughly $136,525 a year[6]. These salaries highlight how much the market values specific technical skills.
Industries actively seeking cleared professionals include Aerospace and Aviation, Cybersecurity, Electrical Engineering, Finance and Accounting, Information Technology, Intelligence, Law Enforcement and Physical Security, Logistics, and Mechanical Engineering[3]. Within these fields, job titles like Cyber Security Engineer, Data Scientist, Financial Analyst, All Source Intelligence Analyst, Linguist, Network Engineer, Program Manager, Software Engineer, Systems Administrator, and Systems Engineer are particularly in demand. Aligning your skills with these roles can lead to substantial career growth.
Strategies to Boost Your Salary
Your clearance doesn’t just help you land a job – it can also significantly increase your earning potential. On average, holding a Top Secret clearance can add about $30,000 to your annual salary[5]. Why? Employers are eager to skip the lengthy 12 to 18 months it takes to process a new clearance, giving you a major advantage during salary negotiations.
If you’re aiming for management roles, the salary increases can be dramatic. For example, Security Managers earn approximately $148,369 per year, Operations Leads make around $174,543, and Directors of Technology can bring in $203,872 annually. At the very top, Vice Presidents in this space can earn as much as $230,260 per year[6]. On the technical side, deep expertise can pay off just as well – Software Architects, for instance, earn about $183,035 annually[6].
Where you live also plays a big role in your earning potential. For example, cleared professionals in San Francisco can expect an average salary of $165,728 annually, while those in Castro Valley and San Jose earn $164,693 and $160,248, respectively[4]. Experience matters, too. Cybersecurity experts with more than 10 years of experience can earn anywhere from $143,000 to $211,000 annually. For those with a Top Secret/EDV clearance, salaries range from $101,405 to $178,764, depending on experience[5].
By combining your clearance with the right skills, experience, and geographic location, you can maximize your earning potential and position yourself for long-term success.
Leveraging ClearedJobs.Net to Find Opportunities
When it comes to job hunting, ClearedJobs.Net is a game-changer for cleared professionals. Unlike generic job boards, this platform is tailored specifically for individuals with security clearances, connecting you directly with employers who value your unique qualifications.
Start by creating a detailed profile that highlights your Top Secret clearance, skills, and experience. This ensures that employers can easily find you. The platform’s matching system helps you discover opportunities that align with your clearance level, location, and career goals. You’ll also benefit from job alerts, networking events, and direct engagement with recruiters.
ClearedJobs.Net goes beyond job listings. Its career resources keep you informed about industry developments and provide strategies for advancement. For example, the News and Career Advice section offers updates on security clearance policies and trends in the defense industry. Meanwhile, The Cleared Professional Podcast features experts like Anthony Kuhn, Managing Partner at Tully Rinckey PLLC, who share practical tips for navigating both professional and personal challenges related to security clearances.
Another standout feature is personalized job alerts. By signing up, you’ll receive notifications directly in your inbox whenever positions that match your profile become available. Plus, ClearedJobs.Net’s resume database ensures that employers can find you even if you’re not actively searching for a job.
With tools like these, ClearedJobs.Net makes it easier to connect with the right opportunities and take your cleared career to the next level.
Conclusion
Having a Top Secret clearance can significantly boost your earning potential. As of October 2025, professionals with this clearance earn an average salary of $126,833 per year. Salaries typically range from $105,000 at the 25th percentile to $145,000 at the 75th percentile, with top earners making up to $170,000[8]. This clearance alone adds more than $30,000 to your annual earnings, largely because employers prefer to bypass the lengthy 12- to 18-month clearance process[5]. The premium reflects the immediate value you bring to roles requiring secure access. However, this financial advantage comes only after navigating a demanding clearance process.
Securing a Top Secret clearance involves a thorough background investigation that examines financial, criminal, and employment history over a 12- to 18-month period[5]. Once obtained, maintaining the clearance requires periodic reinvestigations – typically every five years – and strict adherence to security protocols. This includes demonstrating financial stability, avoiding legal issues, and promptly reporting major life changes to your security officer. While the process is rigorous, the career benefits and salary premiums make it a worthwhile investment.
Where you live also plays a big role in your earnings. Virginia leads with an average salary of $131,612 for security-cleared professionals, followed by Maryland at $130,878 and Colorado at $126,936[7]. These states are home to major defense and intelligence operations, driving up demand for cleared talent. Relocating to these high-demand areas could add anywhere from $5,000 to $18,000 to your annual salary compared to lower-paying regions.
Strategic career planning can further enhance your prospects in the cleared job market. Pairing your clearance with specialized skills – like cybersecurity, software development, or systems engineering – can lead to senior roles offering $183,000 to $194,680 annually[6]. Experienced cybersecurity professionals with 10+ years in the field can command salaries ranging from $143,000 to $211,000 per year[5]. Adding a polygraph qualification could boost your earnings by nearly $30,000[7]. These advanced roles highlight the importance of aligning your skills with market demands to maximize your career potential.
For connecting with employers, ClearedJobs.Net is a valuable resource. The platform specializes in linking security-cleared professionals with opportunities in defense, intelligence, and government sectors[3]. By creating a detailed profile that highlights your clearance level, skills, and experience, you can get matched with positions that align with your goals. Utilize features like personalized job alerts, attend job fairs in key locations such as Hanover, MD, Herndon, VA, and Falls Church, VA, and explore the News and Career Advice section to stay informed about industry trends[3]. This tailored approach saves time and helps you focus on employers who value your qualifications.
A Top Secret clearance is more than just a credential – it’s a portable asset that holds value across employers and industries within the defense and intelligence sectors, ensuring long-term career opportunities.
FAQs
What are the main steps to get a Top Secret security clearance, and how long does it usually take?
Obtaining a Top Secret security clearance involves several important steps. First, you need to be sponsored by a U.S. government agency or an approved employer offering a position that requires this level of clearance. Once sponsored, you’ll need to complete a detailed Standard Form 86 (SF-86), which requires you to provide extensive information about your personal, financial, and professional history. This is followed by a thorough background investigation, which may include interviews, reference checks, and, in some cases, a polygraph test.
The timeline for securing a Top Secret clearance can vary significantly. Factors like the complexity of your background and the current pace of government processing play a big role. On average, the process takes about 4 to 12 months, though some cases may take even longer. Throughout this journey, staying patient and ensuring accuracy in your documentation are absolutely critical.
How does the location of a Top Secret clearance job affect salary and job availability?
Location heavily impacts both salary levels and job opportunities for professionals with Top Secret clearance. Areas like Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia often offer the highest pay, thanks to the dense presence of government agencies and defense contractors. Other cities, including Colorado Springs and San Diego, also maintain strong demand for cleared professionals while offering competitive salaries.
Regional factors, such as the cost of living and the concentration of defense and intelligence operations, play a big role in these differences. For those pursuing Top Secret clearance roles, moving to regions with a thriving federal or defense sector can significantly boost earning potential and open doors to more opportunities.
Which industries offer the best-paying jobs for professionals with Top Secret clearance, and what roles are most in demand?
Industries like aerospace, defense, IT, cybersecurity, energy, finance, and law enforcement are among those offering some of the best-paying careers for professionals with Top Secret clearance. These fields often demand highly specialized expertise and provide generous salaries to draw in top-tier talent.
Key roles in high demand include cybersecurity architects, cloud computing specialists, and IT professionals. These jobs play a vital role in protecting classified information and maintaining national security, making them indispensable in both government and private sectors.
