Cleared Jobs
Cleared jobs are positions that require a security clearance for access to classified national security information. These jobs exist across government agencies, defense contractors, and other organizations that handle classified materials.
Quick Facts
| Requirement | Security clearance needed for the position |
| Employers | Government, defense contractors, labs |
| Clearance levels | Confidential, Secret, Top Secret, SCI |
| Workforce size | Millions of cleared personnel |
Types of Cleared Positions
Government Employment
Direct federal employment requiring clearance[1]:
- Military service members
- Intelligence agency staff
- DoD civilian employees
- Federal law enforcement
- National laboratory researchers
Contractor Positions
Working for companies with government contracts:
- Defense contractors
- IT service providers
- Engineering firms
- Consulting companies
- Research organizations
Clearing Paths
Clearance required - already cleared:
- Must hold active or current clearance
- Can start quickly after verification
- Most competitive positions
Clearance required - will sponsor:
- Employer will sponsor investigation
- Longer time to start
- Must be clearable
Public trust positions:
- Sensitive but not classified
- Different vetting process
- Not technically "cleared" jobs
Common Cleared Career Fields
Fields with high demand for cleared workers[3]:
| Field | Typical Clearance |
|---|---|
| Cybersecurity | Secret to TS/SCI |
| Intelligence Analysis | TS/SCI |
| Software Development | Secret to TS |
| Systems Engineering | Secret to TS |
| Program Management | Varies |
| Logistics | Secret |
| Administrative | Confidential to Secret |
Finding Cleared Jobs
Job boards:
- ClearanceJobs
- Indeed (filter by clearance)
- LinkedIn (security clearance filter)
- USAJOBS (federal positions)
Direct application:
- Defense contractor career pages
- Agency hiring portals
- Networking events
Job Posting Terminology
Understanding clearance requirements in postings[2]:
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| "Active TS required" | Must currently hold active TS |
| "TS/SCI eligible" | Must have or be able to get TS/SCI |
| "Secret clearance" | Must hold or obtain Secret |
| "Must be clearable" | No current clearance needed |
| "Public trust" | Not a clearance, different process |
Salary Premium
Cleared positions often command higher salaries:
- Limited pool of qualified candidates
- Additional vetting requirements
- Specialized skills needed
- Competition for cleared talent
The premium varies by location, clearance level, and skills.
Geographic Concentration
Cleared jobs cluster in certain areas:
- Washington D.C. metro area
- Northern Virginia
- Maryland
- Colorado Springs
- San Diego
- Huntsville, Alabama
- Other military/contractor hubs
Remote cleared work is limited due to security requirements.
Starting a Cleared Career
If you don't have a clearance:
- Military service - Often includes clearance
- Entry-level federal - Some positions sponsor
- Internships - Some cleared internship programs
- Contractor entry programs - Companies that sponsor new grads
Related
References
- ^ What are background checks and security clearances?. USAJOBS. Accessed 2026-01-10.
- ^ Do all jobs require a security clearance?. USAJOBS. Accessed 2026-01-10.
- ^ Security Clearance Process: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions. Congressional Research Service. Accessed 2026-01-10.