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Special Operations Operator Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

ECS

Systems Analyst

Alexandria, VA · On-site

Operator requirements and training considerations * Sustainment, logistics, and maintenance factors ... Support mission-focused analysis for sensitive operational environments, including Special Mission ...

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Special Operations Operator information

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$32

How much do special operations operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for special operations operator in Washington is $22.46, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.62 and $24.23 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a special operations operator?

A special operations operator is a highly trained military professional who conducts specialized missions such as reconnaissance, counter-terrorism, and direct action. These roles require advanced skills, physical fitness, and often involve working in high-risk environments with specialized equipment. Operators typically undergo rigorous training and hold security clearances.

What are Special Operations Operators?

Special Operations Operators are highly trained military personnel who conduct specialized missions that go beyond the capabilities of conventional military forces. Their duties often include counterterrorism, reconnaissance, direct action, hostage rescue, and unconventional warfare. Operators are selected through a rigorous process and receive advanced training in areas such as weapons handling, survival, tactics, and languages. They frequently work in small, elite teams and are deployed in challenging and high-risk environments around the world.

How much do special ops get paid?

Special Operations Operators typically earn between $50,000 and $100,000 annually, with salaries increasing based on experience, rank, and deployment location. Additional benefits may include bonuses, hazard pay, and allowances for training and equipment. Military special operations roles often require specialized skills, certifications, and a rigorous selection process.

What jobs pay $2000 a day?

Special Operations Operators in military or private security roles can earn around $2,000 per day, especially with specialized skills, certifications, and deployment in high-risk environments. Such positions often require extensive training, security clearances, and readiness for demanding schedules. Compensation varies based on experience, location, and the nature of the assignment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Special Operations Operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Special Operations Operator, you need advanced physical fitness, tactical proficiency, and specialized military training, often acquired through rigorous selection programs like Navy SEALs or Army Special Forces. Expertise with weapons systems, communications technology, and survival equipment is essential, along with relevant military certifications. Exceptional teamwork, resilience, and decision-making under pressure are crucial soft skills for operating in high-stress, unpredictable environments. These competencies ensure mission success, personal safety, and effective coordination in demanding and often dangerous operations.

What are some common challenges Special Operations Operators face during missions, and how are they supported to overcome them?

Special Operations Operators often encounter challenges such as operating in high-stress, unpredictable environments, coordinating with multiple agencies, and adapting quickly to changing mission parameters. They are supported through rigorous training, access to advanced equipment, and strong team cohesion that fosters trust and clear communication. Additionally, operators have access to mental health resources and regular debriefings to help manage stress and maintain peak performance.

What is the difference between Special Operations Operator vs Combat Medic?

AspectSpecial Operations OperatorCombat Medic
Required CredentialsMilitary training, special operations qualification, security clearanceMedical certifications, EMT or paramedic license, military medical training
Work EnvironmentHigh-risk, covert missions in diverse terrainsField medical support in combat zones or emergency settings
Employer & IndustryMilitary special forces unitsMilitary, emergency services, or civilian medical units

Special Operations Operators and Combat Medics both serve in military environments, but their roles differ significantly. Operators focus on covert, high-risk missions requiring specialized combat skills, while Combat Medics provide medical support and emergency care in combat zones. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify career paths and job expectations in military special operations.

What jobs pay 10,000 a month without a degree?

Special Operations Operators typically do not earn $10,000 a month through civilian employment, as their roles are military and often require specialized training and security clearances. However, in civilian sectors, high-paying jobs such as commercial pilots, sales managers, or skilled trades like electricians and plumbers can reach or exceed that income level without a college degree, especially with experience and certifications. These roles often require technical skills, licenses, or extensive on-the-job training.
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What job categories do people searching Special Operations Operator jobs in Washington look for? The top searched job categories for Special Operations Operator jobs in Washington are:
What cities in Washington are hiring for Special Operations Operator jobs? Cities in Washington with the most Special Operations Operator job openings:
Special Operations Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Special Operations Operator job openings in Washington as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $46,713 per year, or $22.5 per hour.

Explosives Operations Specialist

MissionOne

Washington, DC • On-site

Other

Posted yesterday

Job description

Job Description

Job Description

**Explosives Operations Specialist – Mid level
**

Location: Multiple Locations (Washington Metropolitan Area)
Travel Required: Some
Security Clearance: Active TS/SCI with Polygraph Required

About the Position

Mission One is seeking a highly skilled Explosives Operations Specialist to support critical Department of War (DoW), U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), Intelligence Community (IC), and Homeland Security missions. This position directly supports national security objectives by enabling government customers to assess, test, integrate, and operationally employ advanced capabilities in support of special operations, intelligence, homeland security, and defense missions.

The successful candidate will provide technical, operational, and mission-support expertise across testing, training, operational readiness, capability development, and field operations involving explosives, demolitions, advanced technologies, and mission-critical systems. Candidates with prior military EOD, Special Operations Forces, Combat Engineer, Sensitive Activities, homeland security, or Intelligence Community operational experience are strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

  • Support the planning, coordination, execution, and assessment of testing, training, operational readiness activities, exercises, demonstrations, and mission support operations involving explosives, demolitions, and advanced mission capabilities.
  • Provide technical expertise and operational support during mission planning, rehearsals, field operations, capability evaluations, experimentation events, and readiness assessments.
  • Maintain continuous situational awareness across one or more mission scenarios involving client-specific technologies operating within test, training, and operational environments.
  • Coordinate with government stakeholders, mission partners, military personnel, and technical Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to ensure mission objectives, operational requirements, and technical capabilities remain aligned.
  • Support clients, mission partners, and end-users by providing technical guidance, operational awareness, and mission-focused recommendations regarding capabilities, technologies, and mission execution.
  • Serve as a trusted advisor to government stakeholders, mission partners, and end-users in understanding, adopting, and effectively leveraging mission technologies and operational capabilities.
  • Develop and deliver reports, presentations, executive-level briefings, after-action reports, and decision-support products regarding mission activities, accomplishments, risks, and future operations.
  • Identify, assess, prioritize, and mitigate technical, operational, and programmatic risks associated with mission capabilities, technology solutions, and operational objectives.
  • Support the integration, fielding, testing, evaluation, validation, and operational employment of emerging technologies, sensors, systems, and mission-support solutions.
  • Develop and maintain operational concepts, tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), while documenting requirements, decisions, changes, and stakeholder actions to ensure traceability and accountability.
  • Analyze operational data and provide recommendations to improve mission effectiveness, readiness, and capability performance.
  • Engage directly with senior government stakeholders, operational commanders, and technical leadership to communicate mission impacts, operational risks, and capability recommendations.

Required Qualifications

  • U.S. Citizen.
  • Active TS/SCI with Polygraph required.
  • Minimum five (5) years of military, government, or contractor experience supporting Special Operations, Intelligence Community, counterterrorism, irregular warfare, homeland security, sensitive activities, or other national security missions.
  • Demonstrated experience supporting testing, training, operational exercises, readiness assessments, field operations, operational evaluations, or capability development efforts.
  • Strong communication, analytical, briefing, and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to work independently and within multidisciplinary teams in dynamic operational environments.
  • Ability and willingness to travel in support of mission requirements.

Desired Qualifications

  • Experience supporting DoW, USSOCOM, Intelligence Community (IC), DHS, JSOC, TSOCs, or other national security organizations.
  • Graduate of the Basic Demolition Operators Course (BDOC) or equivalent military demolitions training.
  • Graduate of NAVSCOLEOD or equivalent military EOD qualification program.
  • Experience in demolitions operations, explosive effects, breaching, range activities, counter-explosive operations, or related mission support.
  • Experience with operational test and evaluation, mission experimentation, technology demonstrations, capability assessments, or advanced technology integration.
  • Familiarity with intelligence-driven operations, multi-domain mission environments, mission planning processes, operational risk management, and readiness reporting.
  • Experience integrating emerging technologies into operational, training, testing, or mission-support environments.
  • Experience briefing senior government leaders, military officers, operational commanders, or executive stakeholders.
  • Experience providing subject matter expert (SME) training and analysis.

Highly Desired Operational Backgrounds

  • Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD)
  • Combat Engineer
  • Special Forces Engineer Sergeant (18C)
  • Special Operations Forces
  • Ranger Regiment
  • Navy SEAL Teams
  • Marine Raiders
  • Marine Combat Engineers
  • Air Force Special Warfare
  • Advanced Breaching Operations
  • Sensitive Site Exploitation
  • Special Mission Unit support
  • Operational Test and Evaluation organizations
  • Intelligence Community operational support activities

Education

Bachelor’s degree preferred in one of the following disciplines:

  • National Security Studies
  • Homeland Security
  • Intelligence Studies
  • International Relations
  • Business Administration
  • Program Management
  • Engineering
  • Applied Sciences
  • Military Studies
  • Emergency Management

Relevant military experience, specialized training, operational certifications, and demonstrated mission-related expertise may be substituted for formal education requirements.

Ideal Candidates Will Possess One or More of the Following

  • Military EOD qualification
  • BDOC or equivalent demolitions training
  • USSOCOM or Theater Special Operations Command experience
  • Intelligence Community operational support experience
  • Advanced breaching or demolitions experience
  • Technical mission-support experience involving emerging technologies
  • Operational test, experimentation, or capability development experience
  • Experience providing subject matter expert (SME) training and analysis.

Travel Requirements

Position may require travel in support of customer and mission requirements, including local travel, Temporary Duty (TDY) assignments within the Continental United States (CONUS), and Outside the Continental United States (OCONUS). Candidates must possess the ability and willingness to travel as required.

Success in this Role

Success in this role requires the ability to deliver mission-ready support to government customers operating in complex environments, integrate advanced capabilities into testing, training, and operational scenarios, provide actionable recommendations that improve mission effectiveness and readiness, and build trusted relationships with government stakeholders, mission partners, and end-users.

Discover more at: https://mission1.com/careers/

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