Skill Demand Index
Federal Security Clearance — Demand & Depth Analysis
Based on 2 scored job postings out of 4,699 total. Depth levels reflect actual proficiency tiers, not just keyword presence.
0%
Demand Rate
L0
Median Depth
100%
Gap Rate
2
Jobs Analyzed
Minimal
Most employers want Federal Security Clearance at introductory awareness.
Overview
What is Federal Security Clearance?
Market context for Federal Security Clearance in the current job market
Federal Security Clearance is required in 0% of scored job postings on ShouldApply, making it a growing skill in the current job market. Employers looking for Federal Security Clearance typically want candidates who can demonstrate real proficiency, not just surface awareness.
What the data shows for Federal Security Clearance:
- •Required in 0% of all scored postings — demand is growing as more employers add it to requirements
- •Employers typically expect L0 depth — foundational knowledge with practical application
- •Most demand comes from Data Science / ML roles — 100% of all Federal Security Clearance jobs
What L0 means in practice:
L1 (Minimal) means you can discuss the concept but haven’t used it in production. Many entry-level positions accept this.
This means employers aren't looking for someone who has used Federal Security 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 Federal Security Clearance at the depth employers need. This is a real opportunity for candidates who invest in building genuine proficiency.
Which roles need Federal Security Clearance most:
Data Science / ML positions drive 100% of demand. Skills commonly paired with Federal Security Clearance include Data Science and Statistical Learning and Research and Mission Translation.
Depth Level Distribution
Proficiency Distribution
How candidates match Federal Security Clearance requirements across 2 scored evaluations
Average depth: L0.0·Median depth: L0.0
Salary Correlation
Pay Impact
How Federal Security Clearance affects compensation based on postings with disclosed salary data
Without Federal Security Clearance
$140K
Median $131K
1266 jobs
Skill Demand Insight
“Federal Security Clearance appears in 0% of all scored jobs.”
From 2 scored job postings
Skill Pairings
Commonly Paired Skills
Other skills that frequently appear alongside Federal Security Clearance
50%
co-occurrence
50%
co-occurrence
50%
co-occurrence
50%
co-occurrence
50%
co-occurrence
50%
co-occurrence
50%
co-occurrence
50%
co-occurrence
Role Breakdown
Top Role Categories
Job categories most likely to require Federal Security Clearance
Gap Analysis
Gap Rate Explained
How often Federal Security Clearance is identified as a skill gap (L0–L1) in scored applications
High gap rate — most candidates are underqualified
When Federal Security Clearance appears in a job's requirements, 100% of scored applicants received an L0 or L1 (missing or minimal).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Federal Security Clearance in demand in 2026?
Yes. Federal Security Clearance appears in 0% of scored job postings on ShouldApply, making it a growing skill in the current market. Based on 2 analyzed jobs, demand is steady across multiple role types.
What level of Federal Security Clearance do most jobs require?
The median required depth is L0. Many positions accept basic to intermediate proficiency.
Does knowing Federal Security Clearance increase salary?
Salary data for Federal Security Clearance is still accumulating.
What other skills pair with Federal Security Clearance?
The most common pairings are Data Science and Statistical Learning, Research and Mission Translation, Machine Learning and Deep Learning, Scientific Computing and Software Systems, Generative AI and Foundation Models. Strengthening these alongside Federal Security Clearance improves your fit across more positions.
What roles need Federal Security Clearance the most?
Top roles: Data Science / ML. Data Science / ML positions have the highest demand at 100% of all Federal Security Clearance jobs.
How do I improve my Federal Security 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.
See how you stack up against Federal Security Clearance job requirements
ShouldApply scores your profile against each skill at the depth level jobs actually need.
Analyze my Federal Security Clearance gaps →See how your depth compares to what employers actually require
All Skills · Roles · Companies · Browse Jobs