ClearanceJobs has released our 2026 Security Clearance Compensation Report.
Despite return-to-office mandates, agency restructuring, and broader policy shifts impacting the national security workforce, average total compensation for cleared professionals rose nearly 6% in 2025, reaching an all-time high of $126,125. Demand for cleared talent remains strong, with 70% of professionals reporting a base pay increase, including 12% who saw raises of more than 10%.
“For candidates, the message is clear: your security clearance remains one of the most valuable credentials in today’s unpredictable labor market,” said Alex Schildt, President of ClearanceJobs. “Cleared professionals continue to be rewarded for their trust and adaptability. But compensation isn’t the only driver for their career paths—mobility, flexibility, and long-term stability matter more than ever.”
A Workforce in Motion
Increased competition for cleared professionals has driven salary growth across clearance levels, job roles, and locations. Professionals holding a Lifestyle or Full Scope polygraph reported an average total compensation of $149,875, nearly $30,000 more than cleared professionals without a polygraph—underscoring the premium placed on access to the highest level of sensitive mission environments.
Geography continues to influence earnings as return-to-office mandates reshape workforce dynamics. Virginia remains a top-paying state for cleared professionals, with 21% of respondents residing in the Commonwealth and earning an average total compensation of $138,748. 10% of respondents reside in Maryland, earning an average of $139,303. Rounding out the top three is the District of Columbia with 7% of respondents living in D.C. and earning an average of $136,369. Outside the National Capital Region, Colorado ($138,256) stands out as a leading hub for space, intelligence, and defense innovation.
Compensation remains highest within the Intelligence Community, with employees at agencies such as the CIA averaging more than $170,000—reflecting the premium placed on specialized intelligence work. When compensation is examined by role and career stage, a consistent trend becomes clear: technical skills and advancement into leadership continue to command higher pay. Among early-career professionals, IT roles lead the market, with average earnings of $82,753 in the first two years, followed by intelligence ($77,848) and engineering ($75,916). From the outset, roles aligned with critical technical and mission-driven work deliver a clear compensation advantage.
While stability remains important, mobility is increasing. Seventy-eight percent of cleared professionals say they are at least somewhat likely to change jobs in the next year. Compensation continues to be the strongest driver of job satisfaction, with nearly two-thirds of respondents identifying higher pay as the top factor that would improve workplace happiness.
Looking Ahead: Strong Pay, Shifting Priorities
The 2026 data paints a picture of a workforce that is not retreating—but repositioning. Federal hiring freezes, return-to-office mandates, and shifting agency priorities are reshaping how and where cleared professionals work. Even so, compensation continues to rise, and mobility between government and contractor roles is accelerating.
“Cleared professionals are making increasingly strategic career decisions, and compensation remains their strongest bargaining chip,” said Art Zeile, CEO of DHI Group, Inc. “Employers who understand these market realities—and who invest in competitive pay, career development, and flexibility—will be best positioned to attract and retain the trusted talent that national security missions depend on.”
The 2026 Security Clearance Compensation Report provides detailed insights into compensation trends by state, clearance level, polygraph status, occupation, education, career stage, government agency, and demographic factors, offering employers and professionals a comprehensive view of the cleared labor market in transition.
Journalists: Email phoebe.wells@clearancejobs.com for interviews with ClearanceJobs leadership and an ungated link.
