Despite Declines it Still Pays to be Cleared

If you haven’t checked out our 2011 Salary Survey, it isn’t too late. Security-cleared professionals should be happy to read that they remain among the top earners, even in a recovering economy. If you add certifications to your security clearance you can expect added monetary benefits – check out our survey of the top 10 certifications held by cleared professionals.

Defense contractors still see the highest salaries with their expected earnings remaining relatively flat over 2010’s numbers at an annual take averaging $98,221. Government workers can expect $83,577 (but let’s not downplay the benefits of getting President’s Day off…), with the average salary among cleared workers in all sectors at $88,894.

Security-cleared professionals with an intelligence agency-issued clearance were on average the highest paid with average salaries of $96,089. Cleared workers with polygraph also earn approximately 22 percent more than their non-polyed peers. Project managers, sales or business professionals and engineers are among the top-earners in the cleared industry.

Other highlights from the 2011 Salary Survey? The unemployment rate for technology professionals has been significantly below the national average since 2001. A security clearance and the increased demand for cybersecurity professionals and we can expect continued upward pressure for cleared cyber workers.