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Skill Demand Index

DoD Secret Clearance — Demand & Depth Analysis

Based on 3 scored job postings out of 4,995 total. Depth levels reflect actual proficiency tiers, not just keyword presence.

0.1%

Demand Rate

L0

Median Depth

100%

Gap Rate

3

Jobs Analyzed

L0100% of postings

Missing

The most common result here is no demonstrated DoD Secret Clearance at all.

Overview

What is DoD Secret Clearance?

Market context for DoD Secret Clearance in the current job market

DoD Secret Clearance is required in 0.1% of scored job postings on ShouldApply, making it a growing skill in the current job market. Employers looking for DoD Secret Clearance typically want candidates who can demonstrate real proficiency, not just surface awareness.

What the data shows for DoD Secret Clearance:

  • •Required in 0.1% of all scored postings — demand is growing as more employers add it to requirements
  • •Scored evaluations land at L0 at the median: the requirement gets listed, and half or more of those evaluations showed no depth behind it
  • •Most demand comes from Other roles — 67% of all DoD Secret Clearance jobs

What L0 means in practice:

L0 (Missing) means most of these scored evaluations showed no demonstrated DoD Secret Clearance at all. Employers still list it, so it reads as an open gap rather than a bar most candidates are clearing.

This means employers aren't looking for someone who has used DoD Secret Clearance once or twice. They want evidence of professional application — shipped work, measurable outcomes, and the ability to operate independently.

Common skill gaps:

The gap rate of 100% means most applicants lack DoD Secret Clearance at the depth employers need. This is a real opportunity for candidates who invest in building genuine proficiency.

Which roles need DoD Secret Clearance most:

Other positions drive 67% of demand. Data Analysis also frequently list DoD Secret Clearance as a requirement. Skills commonly paired with DoD Secret Clearance include Program/Project Management and Security+ Certification.

Depth Level Distribution

Proficiency Distribution

How candidates match DoD Secret Clearance requirements across 3 scored evaluations

L0 — Missing
100% (3)
DOMINANT
L1 — Minimal
0% (0)
L2 — Basic
0% (0)
L3 — Proficient
0% (0)
L4 — Advanced
0% (0)
L5 — Expert
0% (0)

Average depth: L0.0·Median depth: L0.0

Salary Correlation

Pay Impact

How DoD Secret Clearance affects compensation based on postings with disclosed salary data

Without DoD Secret Clearance

$141K

Median $133K

1235 jobs

Skill Demand Insight

“DoD Secret Clearance appears in 0.1% of all scored jobs.”

From 3 scored job postings

Skill Pairings

Commonly Paired Skills

Other skills that frequently appear alongside DoD Secret Clearance

Role Breakdown

Top Role Categories

Job categories most likely to require DoD Secret Clearance

1Other
67%

Gap Analysis

Gap Rate Explained

How often DoD Secret Clearance is identified as a skill gap (L0–L1) in scored applications

100%

High gap rate — most candidates are underqualified

When DoD Secret Clearance appears in a job's requirements, 100% of scored applicants received an L0 or L1 (missing or minimal).

A high gap rate signals strong hiring leverage for candidates who have it. A low gap rate means the skill is table stakes: not having it is a disqualifier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is DoD Secret Clearance in demand in 2026?

Yes. DoD Secret Clearance appears in 0.1% of scored job postings on ShouldApply, making it a growing skill in the current market. Based on 3 analyzed jobs, demand is steady across multiple role types.

What level of DoD Secret Clearance do most jobs require?

Across 3 scored evaluations the median lands at L0 (missing): these postings list DoD Secret Clearance, and half or more of the evaluations showed no depth behind it. That reads as a gap to close rather than a bar being cleared.

Does knowing DoD Secret Clearance increase salary?

Salary data for DoD Secret Clearance is still accumulating.

What other skills pair with DoD Secret Clearance?

The most common pairings are Program/Project Management, Security+ Certification, Team Management, Program/Project Management Experience, Microsoft Government Cloud (Azure Gov). Strengthening these alongside DoD Secret Clearance improves your fit across more positions.

What roles need DoD Secret Clearance the most?

Top roles: Other, Data Analysis. Other positions have the highest demand at 67% of all DoD Secret Clearance jobs.

How do I improve my DoD Secret Clearance level?

L1→L2: online courses and personal projects. L2→L3: daily professional use and shipped work. L3→L4: mentoring others and optimizing processes. L4→L5: architecture decisions, open source contributions, or published work.

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