A security clearance is the single most valuable asset most veterans carry out of the military and the most underutilized. Cleared positions pay $20,000-$60,000 more than equivalent uncleared positions, and the cleared workforce is in chronic shortage. This guide shows you how to find cleared positions, negotiate your clearance's value, and maintain your clearance during the transition.
Clearances can typically be maintained for 2 years after leaving federal service. Once lapsed, reinvestigation for a TS/SCI costs contractors $10,000-$30,000 and takes 6-18 months. Getting a cleared position while your clearance is still active is dramatically easier and faster than reinvestigating. Prioritize this.
Where to Find Cleared Jobs
The largest dedicated cleared job board. Filter by clearance level, MOS equivalent, location, and remote availability. Free job seeker account. Companies pay to post — all positions are legitimate cleared roles.
Primary SourceSearch your target role + "TS/SCI" or "Secret clearance required." LinkedIn allows geographic and experience filters that ClearanceJobs doesn't. Many cleared positions are posted on both platforms.
EssentialFilter for positions requiring clearance. Federal civilian positions with clearance requirements offer full federal benefits plus clearance compensation. Veterans preference applies.
Former military colleagues now working at contractors are your most valuable resource. They know which positions are actually open, what the culture is like, and can refer you directly to bypass the applicant tracking system.
Highest ROIClearance Level Salary Premiums (2025)
| Position | No Clearance | Secret | Top Secret | TS/SCI | TS/SCI + Poly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IT/Systems Admin | $65,000 | $80,000 | $95,000 | $115,000 | $135,000+ |
| Intelligence Analyst | $60,000 | $75,000 | $95,000 | $125,000 | $150,000+ |
| Cybersecurity Analyst | $80,000 | $95,000 | $115,000 | $140,000 | $165,000+ |
| Program Manager | $85,000 | $100,000 | $120,000 | $145,000 | $170,000+ |
| SIGINT / All-Source Analyst | N/A | N/A | $90,000 | $130,000 | $160,000+ |
Negotiating Your Clearance Value
Many veterans accept the first offer without negotiating the clearance premium into their salary. The clearance premium exists because the employer saves $10,000-$30,000 in reinvestigation costs and 6-18 months of waiting by hiring you. That value is real and negotiable. When negotiating:
- Research current rates at clearancedjobs.com salary data tool before any interview
- State your clearance level prominently in your opening: "With an active TS/SCI, I'm targeting $130,000-$145,000 for this role"
- If they push back on salary, remind them of the reinvestigation savings: "My active clearance saves your firm 12-18 months of wait time and $20,000+ in investigation costs — that value should be reflected in the compensation"
Maintaining Your Clearance During Transition
To maintain your clearance after separation, you must remain in a position that requires it within 2 years (varies by level and agency). The fastest way to maintain it: use SkillBridge to intern with a cleared contractor before your separation date, or accept a cleared contractor position within 90 days of separation. Report any significant life events (foreign travel, financial issues, foreign contacts) that could affect adjudication — proactive reporting is always better than having an investigator find something you didn't report.
Your Clearance is Your Competitive Advantage
The Job Match Analyzer compares your cleared background to specific job postings and tells you exactly how to position your clearance value in the application.
Analyze Your Job Match