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Entry Level Top Secret Clearance Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Must be a US Citizen with Top Secret Clearance * Must have a Bachelor Degree in computer science, computer engineering, math, or a related field. LOCATION * Arlington, VA Additional Information We ...

Must be a US Citizen with Top Secret Clearance * Must have a Bachelor Degree in computer science, computer engineering, math, or a related field. LOCATION * Arlington, VA Additional Information We ...

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Entry Level Top Secret Clearance information

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How much do entry level top secret clearance jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level top secret clearance in the United States is $26.73, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.07 and $23.08 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How difficult is it to get top secret clearance?

Obtaining a top secret clearance for an entry-level position typically involves a thorough background check, including criminal, financial, and employment history, which can take several months. Candidates must demonstrate trustworthiness and may need to complete security training and provide references; the process is rigorous but standardized across agencies.

What is the difference between Entry Level Top Secret Clearance vs Entry Level Confidential Clearance?

AspectEntry Level Top Secret ClearanceEntry Level Confidential Clearance
Required CredentialsBackground check, security clearance process, sometimes polygraphBasic background check, security clearance process
Work EnvironmentGovernment agencies, defense contractors, intelligence agenciesSimilar government and defense roles, less sensitive info
Employer & Industry UsageU.S. government, military, defense contractorsU.S. government, civilian agencies, defense contractors

Entry Level Top Secret Clearance involves access to highly sensitive information and requires a thorough background check, often including polygraph tests. Entry Level Confidential Clearance is for less sensitive data, with a simpler clearance process. Both roles are common in government and defense sectors, but Top Secret clearance grants access to more classified information, making it suitable for roles with higher security requirements.

How can I get top secret clearance for a job?

To obtain a top secret clearance for an entry-level position, you must undergo a thorough background investigation, which includes checks of criminal history, financial records, and personal references. You typically need a job offer that requires clearance, and the process involves completing security forms and possibly interviews; the clearance is granted by a government agency or contractor after approval.

What are some common challenges faced by entry-level professionals working in roles that require Top Secret clearance?

Entry-level professionals in positions requiring Top Secret clearance often encounter challenges related to information security protocols and the need for strict confidentiality in daily tasks. Adjusting to highly regulated environments, where even minor actions are closely monitored, can require a significant mindset shift. Additionally, communication with colleagues may be restricted based on clearance levels, impacting collaboration and workflow. However, these roles offer valuable exposure to sensitive projects and can serve as a strong foundation for long-term careers in government or defense sectors.

What are Entry Level Top Secret Clearance jobs?

Entry Level Top Secret Clearance jobs are positions that require candidates to have or be eligible for a Top Secret security clearance, even if they have little or no prior professional experience. These roles are commonly found in government agencies, defense contractors, and organizations working with sensitive or classified information. Typical responsibilities may include administrative tasks, analysis, IT support, or security monitoring. Obtaining a Top Secret clearance involves a thorough background check and is necessary to access highly confidential information vital to national security.

What entry level job can I get with security+ certification?

An entry-level cybersecurity analyst or security technician role often requires Security+ certification. These positions involve monitoring networks, managing security tools, and supporting security protocols, making the certification valuable for demonstrating foundational security knowledge.

What clearance does Elon Musk have?

Elon Musk, as a private individual and CEO of multiple companies, does not publicly hold a top secret clearance or any government security clearance. Security clearances are typically granted to government employees or contractors working on classified projects, not private entrepreneurs. Entry-level positions requiring top secret clearance are relevant for those seeking government or defense-related roles, not for private business leaders like Musk.

What Are Entry-Level Top Secret Clearance Jobs?

A top secret security clearance is a determination by the U.S. government that an individual can access highly sensitive information or data that affects national security. Obtaining a top secret clearance requires passing a Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) and can take 6 to 18 months. Maintaining a top secret clearance requires an SSBI Period Reinvestigation (SSBI-PR) every five years. Some positions working with the federal government or a government contractor may require you to either hold an active top secret clearance or be able to obtain one. Because of the length of time it takes to obtain a top secret clearance, some employers may prefer candidates that already hold one. Fields may include information technology, software development, engineering, and finance.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level professional with Top Secret Clearance, and why are they important?

To thrive in an entry-level position requiring Top Secret Clearance, you typically need a relevant bachelor's degree, strong analytical skills, and the ability to obtain and maintain security clearance. Familiarity with secure communication systems, classified information protocols, and basic cybersecurity tools is often expected. Attention to detail, integrity, and strong verbal and written communication skills help set candidates apart. These competencies are crucial to ensure the protection of sensitive information and effective contribution to high-security environments.
What cities are hiring for Entry Level Top Secret Clearance jobs? Cities with the most Entry Level Top Secret Clearance job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Top Secret Clearance jobs? The most popular types of Top Secret Clearance jobs are:
What states have the most Entry Level Top Secret Clearance jobs? States with the most job openings for Entry Level Top Secret Clearance jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Top Secret Clearance jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Top Secret Clearance jobs are:
Infographic showing various Entry Level Top Secret Clearance job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $55,594 per year, or $26.7 per hour.
Software Developer - Entry Level (Top Secret Clearance Required)

Software Developer - Entry Level (Top Secret Clearance Required)

CGI Inc.

Fairfax, VA • On-site

Full-time

Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 14 days ago


CGI rating

7.1

Company rating: 7.1 out of 10

Based on 19 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

134th of 210 rated it services


Job description

Software Developer - Entry Level (Top Secret Clearance Required)
Category: Software Development/ Engineering
Main location: United States, Virginia, Fairfax
Position ID:J0426-0132
Employment Type: Graduate
Position Description:
Launch a world-class career with us.
Are you driven by the power of technology and its role in transforming business and government? Do you thrive in collaborative environments and want to build a career that spans impactful solutions across enterprises and agencies? If so, CGI is the place for you.
As a Software Developer, you'll be an integral part of a highly collaborative team, working alongside architects, engineers, and stakeholders to design, build, and deliver software solutions that elevate IT services. At CGI, you're encouraged to explore your full potential, free from predefined boundaries and guided by the unique value of your contributions.
This position is in Fairfax, VA in a hybrid working model.
Your future duties and responsibilities:
How You'll Make an Impact
• Design, prototype, and develop software using modern languages and frameworks (e.g., .NET, Java, open-source stacks).
• Apply software design patterns and best practices for scalable, maintainable code.
• Collaborate with team members to continuously improve approaches and tools.
• Build database-integrated solutions, ETL pipelines, and reporting tools using contemporary database technologies.
• Conduct peer code reviews, participate in Agile rituals, and contribute to engineering discussions.
• Support quality assurance by understanding its value, helping craft test plans, and executing test cases.
• Create technical documentation, including requirement specs, design docs, and user manuals.
Required qualifications to be successful in this role:
What You'll Bring
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Systems or a related technical field
• Foundational experience in software development (SQL, Java, C#, .NET, J2EE, C++).
• Strong ability to learn new frameworks and technologies quickly.
• A growth-oriented mindset and a passion for learning.
• Excellent analytical thinking, and strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Comfort with ambiguity, adaptability, and team-oriented collaboration.
• Ability to work in the U.S. permanently and without restriction.
Let's talk about benefits
• Competitive base salary
• Comprehensive insurance options
• 401(k) with company match
• Share purchase plan with a company match
• Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave
• Up to 14 weeks of Maternity Leave with full pay
• 4-week Parental Leave for all non-birth parents
• Attorney-assisted will preparation
• Health savings account
• Disability, life, and accidental death insurance
• Pet insurance
• Work-life balance and flexibility
• Tuition assistance continuous learning opportunities
• Training, mentoring, and career development
• Partner assistance program
• Wellness program
The best version of you starts here.
We're a global company of owners. Over 90,000 partners strong, we bring our diverse backgrounds and perspectives together to solve some of IT and business consulting's toughest problems for some of the world's best companies. Looking for a place that empowers you to explore your full potential and shape your own career? The scale and reach of our impact offer you just that. Join a team of great people, collaborate on meaningful work, and serve the communities you call home while you do it.
CGI is required by law in some jurisdictions to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. The determination of this range includes various factors not limited to skill set level, experience and training, and licensure and certifications. To support the ability to reward for merit-based performance, CGI typically does not hire individuals at or near the top of the range for their role. Compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is $57,100-$103,700.
#CGIEarlyCareers
What you can expect from us:
Together, as owners, let's turn meaningful insights into action.
Life at CGI is rooted in ownership, teamwork, respect and belonging. Here, you'll reach your full potential because...
You are invited to be an owner from day 1 as we work together to bring our Dream to life. That's why we call ourselves CGI Partners rather than employees. We benefit from our collective success and actively shape our company's strategy and direction.
Your work creates value. You'll develop innovative solutions and build relationships with teammates and clients while accessing global capabilities to scale your ideas, embrace new opportunities, and benefit from expansive industry and technology expertise.
You'll shape your career by joining a company built to grow and last. You'll be supported by leaders who care about your health and well-being and provide you with opportunities to deepen your skills and broaden your horizons.
Come join our team-one of the largest IT and business consulting services firms in the world.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, ethnicity, ancestry, color, sex, religion, creed, age, national origin, citizenship status, disability, pregnancy, medical condition, military and veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation or perceived sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, and gender expression, familial status or responsibilities, reproductive health decisions, political affiliation, genetic information, height, weight, or any other legally protected status or characteristics to the extent required by applicable federal, state, and/or local laws where we do business.
CGI provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need an accommodation to apply for a job in the U.S., please email the CGI U.S. Employment Compliance mailbox at US_Employment_Compliance@cgi.com. You will need to reference the Position ID of the position in which you are interested. Your message will be routed to the appropriate recruiter who will assist you. Please note, this email address is only to be used for those individuals who need an accommodation to apply for a job. Emails for any other reason or those that do not include a Position ID will not be returned.
We make it easy to translate military experience and skills! Click here to be directed to our site that is dedicated to veterans and transitioning service members.
All CGI offers of employment in the U.S. are contingent upon the ability to successfully complete a background investigation. Background investigation components can vary dependent upon specific assignment and/or level of US government security clearance held. Dependent upon role and/or federal government security clearance requirements, and in accordance with applicable laws, some background investigations may include a credit check. CGI will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrests and conviction records in accordance with all local regulations and ordinances.
CGI will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with CGI's legal duty to furnish information.

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