Lockheed Martin IT salary in 2026: pay by role, level, and clearance
Lockheed Martin IT salary in 2026: pay by role, level, and clearance
Lockheed Martin's IT organization supports classified programs across aeronautics, space, and missiles & fire control. IT roles here aren't typical corporate IT — they involve securing networks that handle Top Secret/SCI data, building infrastructure for satellite ground systems, and developing tools for the F-35 supply chain. That's reflected in the pay.
Salary by IT role
| Role | Experience | Base Salary Range |
|---|---|---|
| IT Help Desk / Support | 0–2 years | $55,000–$75,000 |
| Systems Administrator | 2–5 years | $75,000–$110,000 |
| Network Engineer | 3–7 years | $85,000–$125,000 |
| Cybersecurity Analyst | 3–7 years | $90,000–$135,000 |
| Software Engineer (IT) | 2–8 years | $90,000–$160,000 |
| Cloud/DevOps Engineer | 5–10 years | $110,000–$155,000 |
| IT Architect / Principal | 10+ years | $140,000–$180,000+ |
Software engineers earning IT-classified salaries at LM follow the same E1–E6 level system as hardware engineers. An E3 Senior Software Engineer in IT typically earns $110K–$135K base.
Security clearance premium
Most Lockheed Martin IT positions require at minimum a Secret clearance; many require Top Secret/SCI. The clearance itself doesn't come with an explicit pay bump, but clearance-required positions pay 15–25% more than equivalent uncleared commercial roles because the talent pool is smaller.
| Clearance Level | Typical Salary Premium vs. Uncleared |
|---|---|
| Secret | 10–15% |
| Top Secret | 15–20% |
| TS/SCI + Polygraph | 20–30% |
The premium is baked into base salary, not paid as a separate allowance.
Lockheed Martin sponsors clearances for new hires — you don't need one to apply. The investigation process takes 3–12 months depending on level. However, having an active clearance from military service or a prior contractor role makes you significantly more competitive and can accelerate your start date.
IT vs. software engineering pay
Lockheed Martin's software engineers working on mission systems (flight software, radar processing, satellite C2) typically earn more than IT-classified roles at the same experience level:
| Level | IT Software Engineer | Mission Software Engineer |
|---|---|---|
| E1 (0–2 yr) | $75,000–$95,000 | $90,000–$110,000 |
| E3 (5–9 yr) | $110,000–$135,000 | $120,000–$150,000 |
| E5 (14+ yr) | $145,000–$170,000 | $155,000–$185,000 |
The gap narrows at senior levels, and IT architects working on classified cloud infrastructure can match or exceed mission software pay.
Total compensation
Beyond base salary, LM's benefits package adds significant value:
- 401(k): 6% match + 4% automatic contribution = 10% total employer contribution
- Annual bonus: $3,000–$7,000 depending on division and performance
- Pension: Defined benefit plan for eligible employees
- Tuition reimbursement: ~$10K/year for advanced degrees or certifications
- Certification bonuses: Some divisions offer one-time bonuses for CISSP, AWS, and similar IT certifications
On a $120K IT salary, the 10% 401(k) alone adds $12K/year in employer contributions — more generous than most tech companies.
Key IT locations
| Location | Focus | State Tax |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Worth, TX | F-35 program IT infrastructure | 0% |
| Denver/Littleton, CO | Space division IT, satellite ground systems | 4.4% |
| Orlando, FL | Missiles & Fire Control IT | 0% |
| Bethesda, MD | Corporate IT, headquarters systems | 5.75% |
| Sunnyvale, CA | Space systems IT | 9.3%+ |
Fort Worth and Orlando offer the best take-home pay due to zero state income tax combined with moderate cost of living.
How to apply
IT positions are posted on lockheedmartin.com/careers. Search for "Information Technology," "Cybersecurity," or "Software Engineer" with your preferred location. Most IT roles require U.S. citizenship due to clearance requirements.
Browse Lockheed Martin positions on Zero G Talent, or compare with our Lockheed Martin engineer salary guide, LM careers guide, and Northrop Grumman careers.
