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How much do active security clearance jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for active security clearance in the United States is $152,773.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $143,000.00 and $158,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What types of roles commonly require an active security clearance, and how does this affect day-to-day responsibilities?

Roles requiring an active security clearance are typically found in government agencies, defense contractors, intelligence organizations, and some specialized private sector positions, often involving access to classified information. Day-to-day responsibilities may include working on confidential projects, maintaining strict documentation protocols, and adhering to stringent security procedures. You will likely collaborate with team members who also hold clearances and must consistently follow both written and unwritten standards for information protection. Having an active security clearance demonstrates your trustworthiness to employers and often opens doors to a wider range of sensitive and high-impact career opportunities.

What is an Active Security Clearance job?

An Active Security Clearance job requires a candidate to already have a government-issued security clearance that is currently valid. These jobs are typically in defense, intelligence, or government contracting industries, where access to classified information is necessary. Having an active clearance means the individual has already undergone the background investigation and approval process, allowing them to start work immediately without delays.

What is an active security clearance for a job?

An active security clearance for a job indicates that an individual has been granted access to classified information and is currently authorized to handle sensitive materials. Maintaining an active clearance often requires ongoing background checks and adherence to security protocols. It is essential for roles in government, defense, and certain contractor positions that involve access to national security information.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Active Security Clearance position, and why are they important?

To thrive in a job that requires an Active Security Clearance, you need a strong understanding of security protocols, regulatory compliance, and often relevant technical or analytical skills based on your specific occupation. Familiarity with classified information systems, government databases, and secure communication tools is typically essential, along with certifications like CompTIA Security+ or CISSP for IT-related roles. Attention to detail, trustworthiness, and strong interpersonal communication are crucial soft skills for effectively handling sensitive information and collaborating with teams. These skills and qualifications ensure you maintain the highest standards of security and contribute safely and effectively to mission-critical projects.

What kind of jobs can I get with a security clearance?

With an active security clearance, you can qualify for jobs in government agencies, defense contractors, intelligence, cybersecurity, and law enforcement. These roles often involve handling sensitive information, requiring background checks, and may require specialized skills or certifications. Clearance levels can determine the complexity and access level of the positions available.

How hard is it to get an active security clearance?

Obtaining an active security clearance for security-related jobs involves a thorough background investigation, which can take several months and includes checks on criminal history, employment, and personal conduct. Candidates must also meet specific eligibility criteria, such as U.S. citizenship and a clean record, and may need to complete training or certifications depending on the role.

Does PTSD affect your security clearance?

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can impact security clearance eligibility, as the clearance process assesses mental health and stability. Applicants with PTSD must disclose their condition and may need to demonstrate treatment, stability, and that it does not impair their judgment or reliability. Each case is evaluated individually based on the severity, treatment, and current mental health status.
More about Active Security Clearance jobs
What cities are hiring for Active Security Clearance jobs? Cities with the most Active Security Clearance job openings:
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Active Security Clearance jobs near you
Infographic showing various Active Security Clearance job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 94% Full Time, 2% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $152,773 per year, or $73.4 per hour.
Systems Engineer - Active Security Clearance

Systems Engineer - Active Security Clearance

Cadre

Reston, VA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

CADRE is relied upon for delivering superior insight and leadership to solve the nation's most critical national security challenges in the most demanding environments.

This Systems Engineer position is located in Northern Virginia with flexible core hours and includes 10% or less domestic travel.

The Systems Engineer is responsible for developing, engineering, and deploying technical solutions within a dedicated network. This individual will work within a small, mission focused team of network and systems engineers to implement technical solutions to challenging collaboration and data protection problems.


Duties: This Systems Engineer performs the following core functions:

  • Develop / Test / Scale / Deploy / Maintain technology solutions
  • Build solutions with a focus on information security principals
  • Work extensively with Microsoft technologies and virtualization platforms
  • Monitor networks
  • Performs other duties as assigned at the direction of Project Management

Required Qualifications:

  • Ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI with poly
  • Bachelor's degree preferred, in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, Business, or a scientific or technical discipline related to the specific skill
    • No degree + ten (10) years relevant experience
    • Associate's degree + eight (18) years relevant experience
    • Bachelor's degree + six (6) years relevant experience
  • Minimum of six (6) years of relevant experience in the areas of Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, Information Systems (or comparable documented work experience)
  • Ability to travel on an infrequent, but as needed basis, primarily domestic
  • Knowledge of and hands on experience with modern server operating systems and virtualization technologies
  • Knowledge of and hands on experience with Virtual Desktop technologies
  • Knowledge of and hands on experience with Cloud platforms
  • Knowledge of and hands on experience with collaboration and ticketing tools
  • Knowledge of high availability technologies and concepts
  • Knowledge and hands on experience with networking and network security technologies
  • Experience with managing engineering projects (i.e., design, build, deploy)
  • Knowledge and hands on experience with scripting languages such as, Bash, Powershell, Python, etc.
  • Knowledge of and hands on experience implementing IT and Cyber Security best practices
  • Ability to assess emerging technologies, determine their impact on corporate systems and incorporate them into technical plans
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; demonstrated ability to analyze complex situations, determine course of action and act promptly and effectively when problems arise
  • Demonstrated outstanding interpersonal skills and strong verbal and written communications skills

Desired Qualifications:

  • Active TS/SCI with poly with most recent BI/Poly dates within the last five years
  • Experience building, deploying, maintaining, Windows and RedHat/CentoS servers
  • Experience building, deploying, maintaining, Citrix VDI Desktops
  • Knowledge and hands on experience with Microsoft Azure, and Azure Stack Hub
  • Experience building, deploying, maintaining, Atlassian products such as JIRA and Confluence
  • Experience building, deploying, maintaining, Microsoft Exchange
  • Experience building, deploying, maintaining clusters, load balancers, multi-datacenter applications
  • Experience with Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI)
  • Experience designing, building, deploying, and maintaining sensitive networks
  • Experience with Enterprise database platforms such as MS SQL Server and Oracle databases
  • Experience with One Way Transfer Solutions and data flow management
  • Knowledge of SIEM and security analytical technologies (e.g. Splunk, pcap, Netflow, etc)
  • Experience with Active Directory and identity management
  • Experience with hyper-converged infrastructure such as Cisco HX, Microsoft Storage Spaces Direct
  • Knowledge of DevOps/DevSecOps methodologies and tools

Job Posted by ApplicantPro