<p>Clearances are generally required for defense, intelligence, diplomatic, and other related work. As examples for engineering, ranges of sensor and weapon systems, the speeds of certain aircraft, and the frequencies used by certain systems are all classified, so engineers who work on them (design, maintenance, whatever) need to be cleared. Money can vary depending on the clearance - SCI with lifestyle poly is worth something like $10k above and beyond anything else at my company, but many firms go higher.</p>
<p>To get a clearance you must have “need to know” the classified information. You cannot get this on your own unless you are working as an independent contractor, and that usually requires that you have extensive experience and that you have previously held a clearance. First clearances are obtained by going to work for the government or for a company that does classified work for the government. Bear in mind that there is a fee for clearances - last I heard it was something like $10k for Secret, $30k for TS - so getting one is not trivial. The company initiates the request and pays the fee.</p>
<p>My husband has TS. Wow, $30K! I had no idea it cost that much.</p>
<p>Wow, too–you would think that $10,000 seems a little high for a Secret clearance, esp according to previous poster indicating that Secret is basically a criminal check and credit check, and no one is interviewed? And, I guess that by “trivial”, a company is not likely going to lay someone off if they have invested this kind of money in an employee that has gained the clearance…</p>
<p>Well, you can still get laid off - I was, back when I was a technician. However, the higher your clearance the less likely you are to get laid off.</p>
<p>Yes, CosmicFish touched on an issue that still exists today. NSA, FBI and CIA do not always accepts each other clearances…especially at the polygraph level. It is very common to see new hires (very experienced folks) who had a FBI-sponsored clearance waiting for NSA to “approve” it. You really shake your head at how a country like the USA and how the FBI/NSA/CIA supposedly work together on missions…cannot agree on their clearance transfer process.</p>
<p>As far as salary…a TS/SCI+Polygraph will net you between $25,000 and $50,000 more than the same job done in a non-intel environment.</p>
<p>One more thing…the employer does NOT pay all 100% of the clearance fee. The federal government covers some of the fees. Employers will throw that “cost” in your face when you try to leave them for another employer but they don’t pay all of it. Employers DO pay 100% of the polygraph fees but that only runs $5,000-$7,000 (from what I was told).</p>