It’s not all about the money. Your mission matters. But, when it comes to which jobs are actually paying more in national security, compensation is a factor in the equation. Money can’t buy you happiness. We all know that. But inflation and the cost of gasoline is a real drag, so it’s not something to ignore. It’s not hard to look at the annual ClearanceJobs Security Clearance Compensation Report, and see the compensation trajectory for specific roles. If you’re not happy in your current position, it may be time to find an inroad into an adjacent career. Or it could be a great time to overhaul and rebuild your career.
Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs for Clearance Holders
Regardless of the state of the job market, some jobs continue to offer six-figure salaries every year. It’s important to watch which jobs pay well out of the gate, and how they grow over time.
Aerospace and Aviation
Early career averages $75,826, but the management pays on average over $140,000. The overall average for the field, including all career levels is $102,119. Add unmanned experience to your resume, and you have staying power and compensation gains.
Data Science
This field has long been touted to be in growth mode, and the average salary for cleared data scientists is $119,759. In the cleared space, data scientists begin with an average salary that’s over $85,000. Management in this role has an average compensation over $150,000.
Finance
You can be all about your spreadsheets and pull in decent compensation in national security. Early career in finance has an average salary of $72, 459, and management level averages over $135,000. The overall average for cleared finance employees is $104,357. Every program needs a financial expert, and government and contractors are often looking for finance roles. The benefit of this role is that it’s also a great launchpad into project management. Having a strong understanding of the financials can be your ticket to managing programs later on in your career.
Legal
You can take that law background and support national security. Early career begins around $71,000 and management averages $158,788. The overall average is $108,163. That may be a lot less than making partner, but it could also offer more stability and better life-balance.
Management
An often overlooked role when students pick their majors is a job as a manager. While it’s best to have subject expertise in one area to manage, the management position routinely makes the top five top paying jobs list for clearance holders. Every project needs a manager. And every field needs an internal manager. Everywhere you look, there’s a project to oversee. The overall average for this field is $123,773. While you may find fewer entry level management positions, there are often team lead positions open on many programs. Entry level pulls in just under $73,000, but ten years later, and cleared managers are earning over $46,000 more, on average. And at the management level, this role pulls in about $140,000, making it a worthwhile field. If you have the people skills and attention to detail, this field could be your compensation ticket.
Military/Law Enforcement
Whether your dream is with the FBI or you want to take your prior military experience to support a contractor, the field compensates on average over $110,000. Entry level begins around $76,000, but at the management level, the field compensates on average over $135,000. And depending on location, especially in law enforcement, earnings can increase.
Sales
No surprise that sales is in the top five highest paying careers in national security, with an overall average of $119,221. Sales starts out in early career at $63,788, but at the management level, it averages $170,067. Add in some good commissions, and it’s a lucrative career choice.
Systems Engineering
By and large, engineering is a strong field for candidates to consider – regardless of the focus. The industry needs all engineers. But systems engineering continues to grow, and it’s the second highest paying job in national security – following software IT roles. Systems engineers average over $89,000 in the early career phase, and then at the management, the average jumps to over $170,000.
Software Engineering
The highest paying job in national security is software engineering, beating out systems engineering by about $400. Software engineers can average over $90,000 in their early career. Ten years in, and their compensation jumps by $50,000. And managers average over $170,000.
Download your copy of the 2022 Security Clearance Compensation Report
