Free Download: 2026 Cleared Cybersecurity Salary Guide

What Federal Cybersecurity Professionals Really Earn
Real salary data for cleared cyber roles across DoD, IC, and federal contractors.
Secure Your Next Federal Role

What’s Inside?

Cleared cybersecurity pay is no longer guesswork. This guide analyzes government data, industry surveys, and real job offers to show what cleared professionals actually earn in 2026.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
  • Average cleared cyber salary now at $119,131 and rising
  • How Secret, TS, and TS/SCI change pay by $10K to $40K+
  • Polygraph premiums that push roles past $200K
  • Top paying agencies and intelligence community ranges
  • Regional pay gaps across VA, MD, DC, and emerging markets
  • Entry, mid, and senior role salary bands by clearance level
  • Certification ROI and which credentials add $8K to $30K+ per year

Why This Matters Now?

  • Cleared cyber hiring is at a breaking point.
  • Over 70,000 polygraph roles sit unfilled.
  • Clearance processing takes up to 15 months.
  • Salary premiums continue to climb above inflation.
  • Hiring the wrong profile or mispricing a role creates delivery risk, margin loss, and program delays.
  • Hiring the wrong profile or mispricing a role creates delivery risk, margin loss, and program delays.
  • This guide helps you plan pay, hiring, and career moves with real market data.

Who Should Read This?

  • Federal contractors building cleared cyber teams.
  • Agency hiring managers setting labor rates.
  • Cleared professionals planning a job move.
  • Cyber leaders negotiating offers or retention packages.
  • Workforce planners managing classified programs.

Key Insights You’ll Get

  • Clearance premium adds up to $40K over non cleared roles.
  • Intelligence community pays up to $228K for senior cyber.
  • Contractors pay 20 to 40 percent more than government.
  • Certifications like CISSP and GIAC drive double digit pay lifts.
  • Geography alone can swing pay by $30K or more.

Your Next Step?

The cleared cyber market is moving fast. Use real salary data to protect margins, attract top talent, and plan your next career move.
Download the 2026 Cleared Cybersecurity Salary Guide and get the numbers that drive better hiring and smarter decisions.