If you hold a security clearance and an executive title, you’re part of one of the most elite—and well-compensated—groups in the national security workforce. ClearanceJobs’ latest report, Cleared & at the Top: 2025 Compensation Insights for National Security Executives, offers a detailed snapshot of what it means to lead at the highest level in this mission-critical sector.
Executive Pay Packs a Punch
Cleared executives earn an average annual total compensation of $195,294, with the median salary landing at an impressive $200,000. For many, that number doesn’t even reflect the full picture—bonuses, stock options, and performance-based incentives often push total earnings significantly higher. Executives with performance-tied pay report earning an average of $40,000 more than peers on fixed salary structures.
What Keeps Execs Up at Night?
Despite high pay, cleared executives face growing challenges:
- Maintaining productivity amid resource constraints;
- Managing shifting employee expectations around compensation, flexibility, and mission alignment;
- Navigating political volatility, talent shortages, and rapid AI innovation.
Where You Work—and What You Do—Matters
Cleared executive pay varies significantly by sector and geography. Leaders at publicly traded firms top the charts, averaging $221,692, while those at federal agencies trend lower. Virginia, D.C., and Maryland remain the dominant hubs, but remote flexibility is creating space for leadership beyond the Beltway.
Top-paying specialties include tech and IT, with AI-driven roles and mission-critical functions driving bonus potential. Meanwhile, executives with DOE Q/L or TS/SCI clearances often report the highest compensation—some exceeding $260,000.
The cleared executive landscape in 2025 reflects a dynamic and competitive market. With pressure mounting on all sides—economic, political, and technological—organizations are leaning on top-tier talent to steer the ship. The result? High stakes, high hours, and higher-than-ever rewards for those who lead in national security.
For the full report, click here.
