Do defense contractors pay well?
Chloe Ramirez
Updated on March 19, 2026
Do defense contractors pay well?
In fact, contractors with a security clearance earned $20,000 more than their government coworkers on average. Your defense contractor salary could easily be as much as $83,000 for a Network Security Administrator, but even entry level defense contractor jobs can pay handsomely.
Is it good to work for a defense contractor?
Your Work Makes a Real Impact Plus, if you’re with the military, a great reason to work for a defense contractor is that you get to take what you’ve already been doing and apply it to the civilian world — making your impact even greater. At Quiet Professionals, our people are driven by a greater purpose.
How much do CIA contractors make?
CIA Contractor Salary
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | |
|---|---|---|
| Top Earners | $120,500 | $10,041 |
| 75th Percentile | $94,000 | $7,833 |
| Average | $77,671 | $6,472 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,000 | $4,166 |
What military jobs are in high demand?
10 Best Army Jobs 2021
- #10: Army Nurse (MOS 68C)
- #9: Air Traffic Control Operator (MOS 15Q)
- #8: Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic (MOS 91B)
- #7: Infantry (MOS 11B)
- #6: Technical Engineer (MOS 12T)
- #5: Counterintelligence Agent (MOS 35L)
- #4: Criminal Investigations Special Agent (MOS 31D)
Is it hard to become a defense contractor?
Breaking into defense contracting requires going through a lot of red tape, and can be difficult at first, but if you are motivated and able to obtain a security clearance, there are many opportunities to be had in the defense industry.
How do I become a defense contractor?
Take these steps to become a military contractor:
- Earn a high school diploma or GED.
- Consider earning a bachelor’s degree.
- Enlist in the military or a security role.
- Create a bid that advocates your skills to the Department of Defense.
- Consider working for a private military contracting company.
How much did Blackwater contractors make?
Private military companies offer top wages to attract qualified applicants willing to carry out dangerous missions. For example, Blackwater contractor salary is estimated to fall between $9,000 and $22,500 a month, according to the Blackwaterusa.com website.
What is Blackwater military?
Blackwater USA (renamed Xe in February 2009 and Academi in December 2011) is a North Carolina-based professional military, law enforcement, security and peacekeeping operations company. Blackwater was founded in 1997 by Erik Prince, a former U. S. Navy SEAL.
Is military a good career choice?
The Army is a good career for certain personality types. There is more structure and protocol than you’ll find in many civilian jobs. You’ll move around as assigned, and you and your family may not have a choice where you go. There is the risk of being deployed in times of war.
What army jobs pay the most?
Army. The highest-paying jobs in the Army are information security analysts, also known as cybersecurity analysts. These tech-minded military members can earn upwards of $90,000, depending on education and years of experience.
How do I join the DoD?
Also known as the DOD, this government agency lists all available jobs online to help you see which jobs are right for you.
- Create Your Resume. Before getting a job at the Department of Defense, you need to have a strong resume.
- Prepare for the Background Check.
- Search Carefully.
- Consider Enlisting.
- Have the Right Skills.
Can anyone be a defense contractor?
Becoming an Individual Defense Contractor. Become a U.S Citizen. Almost all U.S. defense contractor positions require applicants to be United States citizens.
How much do Top 100 defense contractors make?
Top 100 Defense Contractors 2020 PRIME CONTRACTOR $ millions % of total Lockheed Martin Corp $74,913 17.77% Raytheon Technologies Corp $26,489 6.28% General Dynamics Corp $21,880 5.19% The Boeing Company $21,708 5.15%
How much money did the DoD give to contractors in 2020?
The following is a list of the Top 100 U.S. Department of Defense prime contractors in fiscal year 2020 ranked by total contract funds awarded. In FY20, the DoD awarded a total of $421.5 billion in defense contracts, up 10.2 percent from $382.6 billion in FY19.
How much do we spend on defense contracts?
See the list and download the report .] In fiscal 2020, defense contract spending hit a record high of $447 billion – representing nearly two thirds of overall federal contract spending. It’s an impressive growth trajectory that we’ve been tracking for years.
What’s happening with US defense contractors’ shares?
INN takes a look at the year-to-date gains of the 10 largest US defense contractors on the NYSE based on defense revenues. The defense industry is enjoying quite a year of growth, with companies around the world posting significant share price increases in 2019.