Coming out of the military with a security clearance is a significant advantage when searching for a civilian career. Depending on when it was reinvestigated last, it can still be valid for up to two years after getting out. An active security clearance makes you a valuable asset right away to companies with open cleared positions.
Current top secret security clearance processing times for defense contractors are 543 days, up from 533 days last quarter. Secret clearance processing times, which had seen a slight improvement, were also worse in the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2018 – 259 days. Hiring a veteran with a valid clearance not only saves an employer time, but also money as clearances are expensive to obtain.
If you’re separating from military service and looking for a great job that also requires your active federal security clearance, here are five hot jobs to consider. These jobs made the list because they require an active security clearance to hold the position and because of:
- Projected growth potential
- Pay
- Longevity (number of people needed through 2026)
- High demand in military-like environment with either federal government or with defense/government contractors
1. Operations Research Analyst
- What they do: Formulate and apply mathematical modeling to develop and interpret information that assists management with decision making, policy formulation, or other managerial functions.
- Education: 70% have a master’s degree
- Employment Potential: +27%
- Employment Change: 31,300
- Median Pay: $81,390
- Highest job potential by state: CA, TX, VA, IL, NY
2. Information Security Analyst
- What they do: Plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. May ensure appropriate security controls are in place and may respond to computer security breaches and viruses.
- Education Required: 53% have a bachelor’s degree
- Employment Potential: +28%
- Employment Change: 28,500
- Median Pay: $95,510
- Highest job potential by state: VA, CA, TX, NY, FL
3. Computer and Information Systems Managers
- What they do: Plan, coordinate, and direct computer-related activities within an organization. They also help determine the IT goals of an organization and are responsible for implementing computer systems to meet those goals.
- Education: 48% have a bachelor’s degree
- Employment Potential: +12%
- Employment Change: 44,200
- Median Pay: $139,220
- Highest job potential by state: CA, NY, TX, MA, IL
4. Software Test Engineer
- What they do: Research, design, develop, and test operating systems, software, compilers, and network distribution software for medical, industrial, military, communications, aerospace, business, scientific, and general computing applications.
- Education: 77% have a bachelor’s degree
- Employment Potential: +11%
- Employment Change: 47,100
- Median Pay: $101,790
- Where the jobs are: CA, MA, TX, VA, NY
5. Administrative Services Manager
- What they do: Plan, direct, or coordinate one or more administrative services of an organization, such as records and information management, mail distribution, facilities planning and maintenance, custodial operations, and other office support services.
- Education: 24% have a bachelor’s degree
- Employment Potential: +10%
- Employment Change: 28,500
- Median Pay: $94,020
- Where the jobs are: CA, TX, NY, FL, MA
