security clearance (secret) developer demand
Last updated
How many developer roles ask for security clearance (secret) and what those roles pay — tracked from live job postings.
What do roles requiring security clearance (secret) pay in 2026?
As of September 2026, the typical advertised salary is US$174,893 a year, with most postings between US$165,877 and US$195,489.
That's about 31% more than the typical US software developer earns (US$133,080), per Bureau of Labor Statistics figures from May 2024.
| 25th percentile | US$165,877 |
|---|---|
| Median (50th percentile) | US$174,893 |
| 75th percentile | US$195,489 |
Advertised base salary, from 50 job postings with pay data, as of September 2026.
How strong is hiring demand for security clearance (secret) in 2026?
Tarmac tracked 8 postings in August 2026, the most recent month we tracked from start to finish.
We need 3 complete months of tracking before we publish a month-by-month series. Months we only partly covered are left out rather than shown as low demand.
Jobs data powered by Adzuna.
Prep for these roles
Paste a job ad and get a quiz built from what it asks, scored on the spot. Two a month, free.
Free plan · no card · sign in with an emailed code