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How much do cbrn defense jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for cbrn defense in the United States is $32.04, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.04 and $36.06 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some typical challenges faced by CBRN Defense specialists in coordinating response efforts during emergencies?

CBRN Defense specialists often encounter challenges such as rapidly evolving situations, communication barriers between multiple agencies, and the need to quickly assess hazards in unpredictable environments. Effective coordination requires staying calm under pressure, adapting to changing information, and ensuring all team members follow established protocols. Additionally, specialists must frequently train with other emergency responders to maintain readiness and build strong working relationships for seamless collaboration during real-world incidents.

What is CBRN defense?

CBRN defense refers to measures and strategies used to protect individuals and organizations from Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear threats. This field involves detecting hazards, using protective equipment, decontaminating affected areas, and coordinating emergency responses. CBRN defense specialists are trained to respond to both accidental incidents and deliberate attacks, ensuring the safety of personnel and minimizing the impact on public health and security.

What Are CBRN Defense Jobs?

CBRN defense jobs focus on addressing the threat posed by chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapons. These jobs often have titles like CBRN officer, CBRN specialist, and CBRN analyst. In this field, you may help prepare emergency response plans, evaluate the equipment, help determine the circumstance in which rescue operations are practical, and otherwise plan for the threat of warfare and the use of WMD devices in civilian areas. The military offers most CBRN defense jobs, but you can also find them with other important and sensitive facilities. For example, many hospitals have plans to address biological or chemical threats.

What is the difference between Cbrn Defense vs Hazmat Technician?

AspectCbrn DefenseHazmat Technician
Required CertificationsCBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear) training, HAZMAT certificationHAZMAT certification, specialized chemical handling training
Work EnvironmentMilitary, government, or specialized emergency response teams dealing with CBRN threatsIndustrial sites, emergency response teams handling hazardous materials
Employer & Industry UsageMilitary, defense agencies, government contractorsIndustrial companies, local emergency services, environmental agencies

While both Cbrn Defense and Hazmat Technician roles involve handling hazardous materials, Cbrn Defense focuses specifically on chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats, often within military or government contexts. Hazmat Technicians typically work in industrial or emergency response settings dealing with chemical hazards. The certifications overlap but Cbrn Defense emphasizes specialized training for CBRN threats, making it more targeted towards defense and national security applications.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a CBRN Defense Specialist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a CBRN Defense Specialist, you need a strong understanding of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear hazards, typically supported by military training or specialized certifications. Familiarity with detection equipment, decontamination systems, and protective gear is essential for safe and effective operations. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to remain calm under pressure set top performers apart in this role. These skills are crucial for ensuring the safety of personnel and the successful mitigation of hazardous threats in high-risk environments.
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Cbrn Defense jobs near you
Infographic showing various Cbrn Defense job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 97% Full Time, and 3% Part Time. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $66,635 per year, or $32 per hour.
CBRN Subject Matter Expert

CBRN Subject Matter Expert

Systems Planning and Analysis

Alexandria, VA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement

Posted 9 days ago

Job description

Overview
Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) delivers high-impact, technical solutions to complex national security issues. With over 50 years of business expertise and consistent growth, we are known for continuous innovation for our government customers, in both the US and abroad. Our exceptionally talented team is highly collaborative in spirit and practice, producing Results that Matter. Come work with the best! We offer opportunity, unique challenges, and clear-sighted commitment to the mission. SPA: Objective. Responsive. Trusted.
The Joint, Office of the Secretary of War, Interagency Division (JOID) provides expert support services to a range of customers spanning across the Department of Defense, Federal Civilian, and international markets. JOID provides a diverse portfolio of analytical and programmatic capabilities to help our customers make informed decisions on their most challenging issues.
The Critical Infrastructure Group (CIG) within JOID provides technical, programmatic, and analytical support to customers with missions in national security, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The Group brings technical and operational expertise in fields such as countering weapons of mass destruction, critical infrastructure protection, emergency response, and transportation safety.
We are seeking a CBRN Subject Matter Expert (SME) to support to support risk assessment efforts in support of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The primary place of performance will be at SPA Headquarters in Alexandria, VA with regular visits to customer sites in VA and DC.
Responsibilities
The CBRN SME provides specialized technical expertise on CBRN/WMD risk and counterterrorism to support an Operations Research (OR) team developing models, simulations, and risk assessment tools. The role advises OR analysts on threat pathways, agent characteristics, detection and response capabilities, operational concepts, and consequence mechanisms to ensure analytic approaches and assumptions are technically valid and operationally realistic. Focus areas include program- and jurisdictional-level CBRN risk and capability analysis, use of DHS risk models and related frameworks, and technical input to decision support for CWMD prevention, detection, and response programs. Works closely with the OR team to design model structures, define scenarios, select and parameterize inputs, and interpret outputs for leadership and stakeholders. Responsibilities include subject-matter review of modeling, simulation, analysis, and visualization products; contributions to technical analyses, requirements, concepts of operation, and test documentation; and support to Verification, Validation, and Accreditation (VV&A) activities. Participates in, and when needed, leads technical portions of integrated product teams and working groups, and helps develop and review risk and gap assessment reports, a generalized jurisdictional assessment approach, monthly progress reports, and technical briefings that present key CBRN findings and recommendations to CWMD and CBP leadership.
Qualifications
Required:
  • Master's degree with 10+ years of experience.
  • Demonstrated subject-matter expertise in CBRNE/WMD, including one or more of the following: chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and/or explosive threats; CBRN defense capabilities; CBRN detection and surveillance systems; and CBRN incident response and consequence management.
  • Experience working with or supporting analytic/modeling efforts (e.g., operations research, risk assessment, modeling and simulation, or systems analysis), providing technical/domain input to model design, assumptions, and interpretation of results.
  • Demonstrated experience in homeland security, defense, or related complex mission areas involving CBRN risk, terrorism, or counterproliferation, including program-level and/or jurisdictional-level assessments.
  • Proven ability to communicate complex CBRN technical concepts clearly, both in written and verbal formats, to diverse stakeholders including OR analysts, senior government leaders, technical experts, and state and local partners.
  • Active Secret clearance with ability to obtain DHS Suitability.
  • Able to work fully onsite based on client needs.

Desired:
  • Experience providing technical CBRN support to: program planning and oversight; exercise development, execution, and evaluation; system-level analysis; and system integration, including understanding of CBRN threats, vulnerabilities, and layered defense architectures.
  • Familiarity with DHS risk models, CBRN models, and CBRN detection architecture concepts, and prior experience integrating these into analytic or OR tools.
  • Active Top Secret clearance and/or active DHS Suitability.

At SPA, we strive to deliver a robust total compensation package that will attract and retain top talent. Elements of the compensation package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities. SPA provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work. The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, etc.
Please note that the salary information shown below is a general guideline only. Salaries are commensurate with experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.
VA Pay Transparency Salary range: $145k - $175k

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