The defense contracting industry employs more veterans than any other sector. Companies like Booz Allen Hamilton, SAIC, Leidos, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman have Veterans of significant operations and institutional knowledge embedded throughout their organizations. Veterans with clearances command a $20,000-$60,000 salary premium over civilian counterparts with equivalent technical skills. Understanding how to leverage your clearance, your DoD experience, and your existing relationships is the single biggest accelerator in this transition.
Military Backgrounds That Translate Directly
35 series, CTI/CTN, 1N series veterans move directly into intelligence analyst, threat analyst, and OSINT roles at contractors supporting DIA, NSA, CIA, and SOCOM.
High Demand25B, 25D, IT, 3D0, 17C veterans move into systems administrator, cybersecurity analyst, and cloud roles. Cleared IT commands the highest salary premiums.
High DemandSenior NCOs and officers (O-3+) translate well into program manager, project manager, and operations support roles. PMP certification significantly increases competitiveness.
Cert Recommended92 series, 88 series Army; 3000s Navy; 2S series AF veterans move into defense logistics, sustainment operations, and supply chain management supporting LOGCAP and DLA contracts.
Strong PipelineSalary and Career Progression
| Role | No Clearance | Secret | Top Secret | TS/SCI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Systems Administrator | $65,000 | $80,000 | $95,000 | $115,000 |
| Intelligence Analyst | $60,000 | $75,000 | $95,000 | $125,000 |
| Program Manager | $85,000 | $100,000 | $120,000 | $145,000 |
| Cybersecurity Analyst | $80,000 | $95,000 | $115,000 | $140,000 |
| Logistics Manager | $70,000 | $82,000 | $95,000 | $110,000 |
Source: ClearanceJobs.com annual salary survey and industry data. TS/SCI with polygraph commands an additional $15,000-$30,000 premium not reflected in this table.
Career Path Overview
Step 1 - Don't let your clearance lapse: Clearances can be maintained for up to 2 years after separation while you are in the "cooling off" period. Once lapsed, reinvestigation costs the contractor $10,000-$30,000 and takes 6-18 months. This is your most valuable asset — get a contractor job before your clearance lapses if at all possible.
Step 2 - Use SkillBridge: 90-180 days before separation, use SkillBridge to intern with a defense contractor while still receiving military pay. Most major contractors have SkillBridge programs with high conversion rates to full-time employment.
Step 3 - Network through prior unit relationships: The defense contracting world is full of veterans who left before you. Reach out to former colleagues now working at contractors. Warm introductions bypass the applicant tracking system entirely.
Step 4 - Target positions, not companies: Search clearancedjobs.com, indeed.com, and linkedin.com for your MOS/specialty + "TS/SCI" or "Secret clearance." Apply broadly across multiple contractors — loyalty to a specific company before you have an offer is misplaced.
Key Certifications
$405 | Most impactful cert for program management track. Combines with military experience for senior PM roles at $120K+.
$392 | Required for many cleared IT roles. DoD 8570 baseline. Get this before separation if possible.
Free for DoD employees | Opens federal acquisition and contracting officer roles. High demand, well compensated.
Top Employers Actively Hiring Veterans
One of the largest employers of veterans. Strong culture of internal veteran networks. Active SkillBridge program.
Top Veterans EmployerMajor defense IT and services contractors. Hundreds of openings. Strong veteran hiring pipelines across all specialties.
Active RecruitersTier 1 defense primes. Program management, engineering, and operational roles. Competitive compensation.
Mid-tier contractors strong in IT and intelligence support. Often faster hiring timelines than Tier 1 primes.
Find Your Specific Career Match
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