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Top Secret Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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Top Secret information

See California salary details

$96.7K

$132.4K

$197.4K

How much do top secret jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for top secret in California is $132,387.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $113,500.00 and $142,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a top secret job?

Top Secret jobs refer to positions that require employees to have a Top Secret security clearance, which is the highest level of classification granted by the U.S. government. These roles often involve access to highly sensitive national security information and may be found in agencies such as the Department of Defense, CIA, NSA, or contractors supporting these organizations. Job duties can range from intelligence analysis and cybersecurity to engineering and administrative support. Obtaining a Top Secret clearance involves a thorough background investigation and strict adherence to confidentiality and security protocols.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a top secret-cleared professional?

To thrive as a Top Secret-cleared professional, you must have a solid background in your specialized field (such as intelligence, cybersecurity, or defense), U.S. citizenship, and successfully pass extensive background checks for security clearance. Familiarity with classified information handling systems, secure communication tools, and compliance with federal regulations is crucial. Strong integrity, discretion, attention to detail, and the ability to work under pressure set outstanding candidates apart. These competencies are vital to protect national security interests and ensure the responsible management of sensitive information.

What are common challenges faced in top secret roles and how can they be managed?

Professionals in Top Secret roles often encounter challenges related to strict confidentiality requirements, high-pressure environments, and limited information sharing with colleagues or even family. Managing these challenges involves maintaining rigorous adherence to security protocols, developing strong stress-management skills, and building trust with cleared team members. It's important to cultivate a support network within the organization and participate in ongoing security training to stay updated on best practices.

What is the difference between Top Secret vs Confidential?

AspectTop SecretConfidential
Required CredentialsSecurity clearance, background check, often a polygraphBasic background check, security clearance not always required
Work EnvironmentGovernment agencies, defense contractors, intelligence agenciesGovernment offices, corporate sectors, legal firms
Employer & Industry UsagePrimarily government and militaryBoth government and private sectors
Security LevelHighest level of classified informationLower level of classified information

Top Secret and Confidential are security clearance levels used mainly in government and military sectors. Top Secret involves higher security measures and access to highly sensitive information, whereas Confidential pertains to less sensitive data. Understanding these differences helps in assessing job requirements and security protocols.

What are the most commonly searched types of Top Secret jobs in California?

The most popular types of Top Secret jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Top Secret jobs in California?

For Top Secret jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Top Secret jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Top Secret jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Top Secret jobs?

Cities in California with the most Top Secret job openings:

Top Secret jobs near you
Infographic showing various Top Secret job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 9% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $132,387 per year, or $63.6 per hour.

Senior Java Developer (Top Secret Clearance Required)

Ruri Software Technologies LLC

Sunnyvale, CA • On-site

$67.25 - $85.75/hr

Contractor

Re-posted 21 days ago

Job description

Senior Java Developer (Top Secret Clearance Required)
Location: Sunnyvale, CA
Clearance: Active Top Secret Clearance (Mandatory)
Overview
Seeking a Senior Java Backend Engineer to build and maintain scalable, secure applications within a Retail Order Management ecosystem.
Key Responsibilities
Develop scalable backend systems & REST APIs
Drive order management solutions and business logic
Write JUnit tests and optimize performance
Collaborate in Agile teams with Git-based workflows
Required Skills
Strong Core Java (8+), Multithreading, J2EE
Spring / Spring Boot, Microservices
Retail domain experience (Order Management)
Kafka, SQL, Unix/Linux, Shell scripting
Maven/Gradle, Nexus, GitHub
Frontend basics: HTML, CSS, React
Nice to Have
MongoDB or NoSQL
AWS exposure
Profiling tools (JMeter, YourKit, JProbe)
Other Requirements
Active Top Secret Clearance (Mandatory)
Strong communication & problem-solving skills
Years of Experience: 10.00 Years of Experience