SUPPLY AND DEMAND
Growth Rate of Cleared DoD Population and Jobs Posted on ClearanceJobs
DOD CLEARED CANDIDATES IN CIRCULATION
Active military (1.4M), NISP contractors (1M), National Guard, Reservists and DoD civilians are included in the numbers. Source: Performance.gov - FY2022 Q3
Eligible – In Access: Individuals who have a security clearance AND are currently using it to access classified information for their job.
Eligible – No Access: Individuals who have a security clearance but are not currently using it to access classified information. Due to retirement, unemployment, or employed in a non-cleared role.
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION TIMES ARE IMPROVING DRAMATICALLY
Average Processing Times for DOD/Industry Clearances
Secret
Top Secret
Secret
Top Secret
WHAT RECRUITERS ARE SAYING
Feedback on how the competitive security-cleared marketplace affects hiring.
We no longer place people on an Interim Clearance. We only look for candidates with an active Secret or higher.
We are having to pay higher bonuses to attract the candidates we must have - they're so rare.
With the marketplace being what it is, I can't wait for someone to get cleared. I have to know that they ARE cleared.
There are 70,000 more positions than there are people with clearances to fill them. Makes it difficult to compete.
I have to work twice as hard as I used to, to get the same amount of response. It becomes a numbers game.
THE SECURITY-CLEARED MARKETPLACE UNDER PRESSURE
Changing perceptions in the workforce, low unemployment, and ongoing issues with lengthy clearance processing times have yielded the most challenging hiring environment ever for security-cleared employers.
Recruiters and hiring managers are under pressure, having to prove their own worth in a marketplace where fewer hires and increased costs are now the norm.
Over the last few years, we've seen large shifts in our government's personnel security program and security process itself. Mr. Phalen discusses the security clearance marketplace, top security workforce concerns, and policy updates.
REFERENCES
ClearanceJobs collects stats and information from a variety of Federal sources. The most recent information that is publicly available will always be posted here.
Questions and answers related to U.S. Government security clearances, including those administered under the National Industrial Security Program (NISP), have been compiled by ClearanceJobs on our Security Clearance FAQ page.
Insider Threat and Security Clearance Reform progress update issued by The Performance Accountability Council’s Program Management Office. The report tracks progress on mitigating the inherent risks and vulnerabilities posed by personnel with trusted access to government information, facilities, systems, and other personnel.
- FY22 Q2/Q3 Security Clearance, Suitability, and Credentialing Reform
- FY22 Q1 Security Clearance, Suitability, and Credentialing Reform
- FY20 Q4 Security Clearance, Suitability, and Credentialing Reform
- FY20 Q3 Security Clearance, Suitability, and Credentialing Reform
- FY20 Q2 Security Clearance, Suitability, and Credentialing Reform
- FY19 Q4 Security Clearance, Suitability, and Credentialing Reform
- FY19 Q3 Security Clearance, Suitability, and Credentialing Reform
- FY19 Q2 Security Clearance, Suitability, and Credentialing Reform
- FY18 Q4 Security Clearance, Suitability, and Credentialing Reform
- FY18 Q3 Security Clearance, Suitability, and Credentialing Reform
- FY18 Q2 Security Clearance, Suitability, and Credentialing Reform
- FY18 Q1 Security Clearance, Suitability, and Credentialing Reform
- FY16 Q4 Security Clearance, Suitability, and Credentialing Reform
- FY16 Q3 Security Clearance, Suitability, and Credentialing Reform
- FY16 Q2 Security Clearance, Suitability, and Credentialing Reform
- FY16 Q1 Security Clearance, Suitability, and Credentialing Reform
- FY15 Q4 Security Clearance, Suitability, and Credentialing Reform
- FY15 Q3 Security Clearance, Suitability, and Credentialing Reform
- FY15 Q2 Security Clearance, Suitability, and Credentialing Reform
- FY15 Q1 Security Clearance, Suitability, and Credentialing Reform
- FY14 Q4 Security Clearance, Suitability, and Credentialing Reform
- FY14 Q3 Security Clearance, Suitability, and Credentialing Reform
Annual Report on Security Clearance Determinations report issued by The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI). The report includes data on the number of cleared employees and contractors, as well as current security clearance processing times. 2017 is the most recent information publicly available.
- 2019 Annual Report on Security Clearance Determinations
- 2018 Annual Report on Security Clearance Determinations
- 2017 Annual Report on Security Clearance Determinations
- 2016 Annual Report on Security Clearance Determinations
- 2015 Annual Report on Security Clearance Determinations
- 2014 Annual Report on Security Clearance Determinations
- 2013 Annual Report on Security Clearance Determinations
- 2012 Annual Report on Security Clearance Determinations
- 2011 Annual Report on Security Clearance Determinations
- 2010 Annual Report on Security Clearance Determinations
The Information Security Oversight Office (ISOO) issues an annual report to the President on the status of the security classification programs in both Government and industry. 2019 is the most recent publicly available information.
- 2019 Information Security Oversight Office Security Classification Update
- 2018 Information Security Oversight Office Security Classification Update
- 2017 Information Security Oversight Office Security Classification Update
- 2016 Information Security Oversight Office Security Classification Update
- 2015 Information Security Oversight Office Security Classification Update
- 2014 Information Security Oversight Office Security Classification Update
- 2013 Information Security Oversight Office Security Classification Update
- 2012 Information Security Oversight Office Security Classification Update
- 2011 Information Security Oversight Office Security Classification Update
- 2010 Information Security Oversight Office Security Classification Update
National Background Investigations Bureau (NBIB) Updates includes data on the timeliness performance for submission, investigation, and adjudication processing times for DoD Industry, DoE and NRC.
- NBIB Report on Backlog of Personnel Security Clearance Investigations - FY18 Q4
- NBIB Report on Backlog of Personnel Security Clearance Investigations - September 2018
- Timeliness Performance Metrics for Submission, Investigation & Adjudication Time - February 2019
- Timeliness Performance Metrics for Submission, Investigation & Adjudication Time - March 2018
- Timeliness Performance Metrics for Submission, Investigation & Adjudication Time - May 2017
Diversity in the Intelligence Community Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) Demographic Reports - Statistics on Hiring and Retention of Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities in the United States Intelligence Community.