National Security Compensation Sets Record High

DHI Group, Inc. (NYSE: DHX) announced today that ClearanceJobs, its leading online community for security-cleared professionals in the defense and intelligence industries, has released its 2024 Security Clearance Compensation Report.

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Photo from the cover of the 2024 Compensation Report (Graphic: Business Wire)

In a year marked by inflation and budget uncertainties, companies took bold action by implementing significant salary hikes. In 2023, cleared candidates received a noteworthy 6% boost in compensation, increasing the average cleared salary to a new high of $114,946. For the second year in a row, 67% of individuals reported an uptick in their base pay.

“The state of the national security job market remains strong,” said Evan Lesser, Founder and President of ClearanceJobs. “As the commercial sector struggles, the benefits of national security work are clear. While much is made of the importance of mission, one should never undercut compensation as the critical factor motivating employees. When asked to pick the things their employer could change to increase their happiness and engagement, higher compensation was more than double the other options.”

The Evolving Cleared Landscape

As time moves us farther away from the COVID-19 pandemic, the preference for remote work remains. In 2023, 57% of respondents reported their employer now offers a remote or hybrid option when sickness or pandemic conditions aren’t in effect. That’s compared to 46% in 2021 and 53% in 2022. Respondents with this option available also tend to earn a higher compensation, routinely earning $15,000 to $20,000 more over the past three years.

However, in national security, remote or hybrid work is a luxury that many employers cannot afford, due to the nature of the work. When asked what employers could provide to entice workers to stick to the SCIF (Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility) side, respondents overwhelmingly ranked extra vacation days (64%) and bonuses (64%) as trade-offs for a lack of remote and hybrid options.

While national security demographics remained consistent, small changes each year paint the picture for future adjustments. Women remain at 23% of respondents again this year; however, Generation Z has steadily grown by 4% over the past four years. Gen Z also saw the biggest pay increase for the second year in a row, with respondents reporting a 13% compensation change from 2022.

Happiness, Satisfaction, and Commitment to the Cleared Industry

As part of this survey, respondents were asked to pick up to three options that would contribute to increased happiness in their roles. For the third year in a row, compensation was selected by over two-thirds of respondents. Next in line were training options, certifications, and remote work.

With the state of the economy, respondents remained a little less motivated to change jobs. 21% said they’re not at all likely to jump ship in 2023 - a 4% bump from last year. But with 79% likely to make a move in the next year, employers have plenty of cleared candidates to recruit.

Meanwhile, over half of respondents (59%) said they were not at all likely to leave the cleared industry in the next five years. Only 13% answered likely or very likely.

“Strong cleared compensation truly points to the stability and strength of the cleared job market,” said Art Zeile, CEO of DHI Group Inc. “This is a community that’s committed to the mission of defending our country and they can do so from a variety of attractive positions. To hire and retain cleared talent employers need to focus on compensation and engagement. The ClearanceJobs Compensation Report shows employers understand that imperative.”

The Security Clearance Compensation report includes cleared compensation by state, occupation, education, security clearance level and other criteria.

Access The 2024 Security Clearance Compensation Report

The 2024 Security Clearance Compensation Report

Journalists: Email phoebe.wells@clearancejobs.com for an ungated link.

ClearanceJobs – About Us

Founded in 2002, ClearanceJobs is a modern marketplace for career opportunities in national security. We maintain a strong commitment to connecting security-cleared professionals and employers in a secure and private platform to fill the jobs that safeguard our nation. Our protected career marketplace allows industry employers and candidates the ability to connect, converse, and exchange opportunities. From instant messaging to deep personal and company branding, ClearanceJobs balances participation by giving every user – both employers and candidates – a platform to share, explore, and engage. With offices in Colorado and Iowa, ClearanceJobs (a DHI Group, Inc. brand) is the largest service focused solely on professionals with U.S. federal government security clearances.

DHI Group, Inc. – About Us

DHI Group, Inc (NYSE: DHX) is a provider of AI-powered career marketplaces that focus on technology roles. DHI’s two brands, Dice and ClearanceJobs, enable recruiters and hiring managers to efficiently search for and connect with highly skilled technology professionals based on the skills requested. The Company’s patented algorithm manages over 100,000 unique technology skills. Additionally, our marketplaces allow tech professionals to find their ideal next career opportunity, with relevant advice and personalized insights. Learn more at www.dhigroupinc.com.

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