Clearance Premium Tracker
Median posted pay for each security clearance level in Huntsville-area listings, compared with listings that name no clearance.
Last reviewed: October 13, 2026
-26.7%
median posted pay vs. no clearance stated
7 listings · small sample
-4.6%
median posted pay vs. no clearance stated
847 listings
+6.5%
median posted pay vs. no clearance stated
90 listings
+9.7%
median posted pay vs. no clearance stated
89 listings
Based on 1,409 active Huntsville-area listings that post a salary range. Levels with fewer than 20 listings are marked as a small sample.
| Clearance Level | Listings | Median Range | Median Midpoint | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No clearance stated | 376 | $111K – $169K | $141K | Baseline |
| Public Trust | 7small sample | $75K – $133K | $103K | -26.7% |
| Secret | 847 | $99K – $163K | $134K | -4.6% |
| Top Secret | 90 | $103K – $196K | $150K | +6.5% |
| TS/SCI | 89 | $112K – $190K | $154K | +9.7% |
These are raw differences: each level's median posted pay against the median for listings that name no clearance ($141K). The listings at each level also differ in employer, role and seniority, so these differences mix those in with the clearance itself and can point either way.
Comparing listings from the same employer, role and level, only Top Secret (about 7%) showed a measurable pay premium in our October 2026 data; the other levels showed none. The salary calculator uses those same-employer estimates.
"No clearance stated" includes listings that don't mention one; listings that ask for a clearance without naming the level are left out.