Lockheed Martin secret clearance in 2026: levels, timeline, salary premium, and disqualifiers
Security clearance is the single most important factor in determining your eligibility, salary, and career trajectory at Lockheed Martin. The majority of positions across the company's four business areas require some level of clearance, from Secret to TS/SCI with polygraph. Understanding how the system works, what Lockheed Martin's role is in the process, and what can disqualify you saves months of wasted effort and sets realistic expectations for your career path.
In 2026, the average compensation for cleared professionals across the defense industry has reached an all-time high of $119,131, with 68 percent of cleared workers receiving salary increases and nearly one in seven seeing raises of 10 percent or more. Demand for cleared talent remains strong, and Lockheed Martin is one of the largest employers of cleared professionals in the country.
Security clearance levels explained
The US government uses a tiered clearance system. At Lockheed Martin, you will encounter these levels:
| Clearance Level | Investigation Type | Access Level | Processing Time (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Confidential | Tier 1 (NACLC) | Limited classified info | 30–90 days |
| Secret | Tier 3 (T3) | Secret-classified info | 60–150 days |
| Top Secret (TS) | Tier 5 (T5) | Top Secret info | 120–240 days |
| TS/SCI | T5 + SCI eligibility | Compartmented programs | 150–300 days |
| TS/SCI + CI Poly | T5 + Counterintelligence polygraph | Sensitive compartments | 180–365 days |
| TS/SCI + Full-Scope Poly | T5 + Full polygraph | Most sensitive programs | 180–400+ days |
Secret clearance is the most common requirement at Lockheed Martin. It allows access to information classified at the Secret level and is required for the majority of engineering, program management, and technical roles across all four business areas.
Top Secret expands access to TS-classified information and is required for roles involving more sensitive defense programs, intelligence data, or strategic systems.
TS/SCI (Sensitive Compartmented Information) is required for roles that handle intelligence data within specific compartments. Each compartment has its own access controls. This level is most common at Maryland locations (Annapolis Junction, Fort Meade) and for certain Space and RMS programs.
Polygraph adds lie detection testing to the background investigation. Counterintelligence (CI) polygraph is less intensive than full-scope polygraph. Full-scope polygraph is required for the most sensitive programs, often those involving intelligence community partnerships.
How Lockheed Martin sponsors clearance
You cannot apply for a security clearance on your own. The process works like this:
- You apply for a Lockheed Martin position that requires clearance
- You receive a conditional offer contingent on clearance approval
- Lockheed Martin initiates the investigation by submitting your case to the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA)
- You complete the SF-86 questionnaire (Standard Form 86), which covers 10 years of personal history including residences, employment, education, foreign contacts, financial records, drug use, criminal history, and personal references
- DCSA conducts the investigation, which includes record checks, interviews with you and your references, and verification of the information you provided
- The adjudicating agency reviews the investigation results and makes a clearance determination
- If approved, you begin work on the classified program
Lockheed Martin pays for the investigation. The cost varies by clearance level but ranges from approximately $400 for a Secret investigation to $5,700 or more for a Top Secret investigation. These costs are built into the company's overhead rates on government contracts.
The salary premium for security clearance
Having an active security clearance significantly increases your earning potential at Lockheed Martin and across the defense industry:
| Clearance Level | Salary Premium Over Uncleared | Avg Salary (2025 data) |
|---|---|---|
| Secret | +$5,000 to $10,000 | $100K–$115K |
| Top Secret | +$15,000 to $25,000 | $115K–$135K |
| TS/SCI | +$20,000 to $35,000 | $130K–$155K |
| TS/SCI + Poly | +$25,000 to $45,000 | $140K–$175K |
| Full-Scope Poly | +$30,000 to $50,000+ | $149K+ |
The premium exists because cleared professionals are scarce. The investigation process creates a supply bottleneck: it takes months to clear someone, and not everyone passes. Companies pay more for employees who can start on classified programs immediately.
Washington, DC commands the highest cleared salaries, with TS/SCI professionals in cybersecurity averaging $149,398 in 2025. Colorado Springs ($135,000 to $145,000) and San Antonio ($128,000 to $138,000) are also competitive markets for cleared talent.
What disqualifies you from security clearance
The adjudication process evaluates your background against 13 guidelines. No single issue automatically disqualifies you; each case is evaluated holistically. However, certain factors are more serious than others:
High-risk factors
Foreign influence and preference: Close relationships with foreign nationals, especially from countries of concern (China, Russia, Iran, North Korea). Dual citizenship with certain countries. Holding a foreign passport. Working for a foreign government.
Dishonesty on the SF-86: This is the most serious disqualifier. The SF-86 asks detailed questions, and investigators will verify your answers. Lying about drug use, foreign contacts, financial problems, or criminal history is worse than the underlying issue itself.
Criminal conduct: Serious criminal convictions, particularly felonies or crimes involving dishonesty, theft, or violence. Minor offenses are evaluated contextually, and a single misdemeanor years ago is unlikely to disqualify you.
Financial problems: Significant unresolved debt, bankruptcy, tax liens, or patterns of financial irresponsibility. The concern is vulnerability to coercion or bribery. Having debt is not automatically disqualifying; failing to manage it is.
Moderate-risk factors
Drug use: Recent illegal drug use (within 1 to 3 years depending on the substance and clearance level). Marijuana use is still federally illegal and relevant to clearance adjudication regardless of state laws. Experimental use in college years ago is generally not disqualifying.
Alcohol issues: DUI convictions, alcohol-related incidents, or diagnosed alcohol use disorders. A single DUI several years ago with no repeat is typically manageable. A pattern of alcohol-related incidents raises concerns.
Mental health: Having sought mental health treatment is not disqualifying and in some cases is viewed positively (it shows responsibility). The concern is untreated conditions that could affect judgment or reliability.
The "whole person" concept
Adjudicators use the "whole person" concept, which means they consider:
- The severity of the issue
- How long ago it occurred
- Your age at the time
- The circumstances surrounding it
- Evidence of rehabilitation or behavior change
- Your overall pattern of conduct
A single issue in your past does not automatically disqualify you. A pattern of issues, recent serious concerns, or dishonesty about any of them does.
Clearance maintenance and reinvestigation
Security clearances are not permanent. They require periodic reinvestigation:
| Clearance Level | Reinvestigation Cycle |
|---|---|
| Confidential | 15 years |
| Secret | 10 years |
| Top Secret | 5 years (moving to continuous evaluation) |
Lockheed Martin tracks reinvestigation timelines and initiates the process for employees. The continuous evaluation program is replacing periodic reinvestigation for many TS-level clearances, using automated checks of public records, financial data, and other indicators between formal investigations.
If you leave Lockheed Martin, your clearance remains active for up to 24 months. After that, it becomes inactive and must be reactivated (which is easier than a new investigation). After the inactive period exceeds the reinvestigation timeline, a new investigation is required.
Interim clearance
When a new investigation is submitted, Lockheed Martin may request interim clearance for you. Interim clearance grants temporary access at the requested level while the full investigation proceeds. Interim Secret is commonly granted within 2 to 4 weeks if the initial checks come back clean. Interim Top Secret is less commonly granted.
Having interim clearance allows you to start working on the classified program before your full investigation is complete. However, some programs or compartments do not accept interim clearance, requiring final adjudication before access is granted.
Bottom line
Security clearance at Lockheed Martin is the gateway to the majority of positions and the primary driver of salary premiums. Secret clearance takes 60 to 150 days and adds $5,000 to $10,000 to annual salary. TS/SCI takes 150 to 300 days and adds $20,000 to $35,000 or more. Lockheed Martin sponsors and pays for all investigations. The most common disqualifiers are dishonesty on the SF-86, unresolved financial issues, and recent drug use. If you can clear the investigation, you gain access to both interesting work and premium compensation.
Browse cleared positions at Zero G Talent's Lockheed Martin page. Related guides: Lockheed Martin salary overview, recruiting process, and remote work options.
Frequently asked questions
Does Lockheed Martin sponsor security clearance?
Yes, Lockheed Martin sponsors and pays for security clearance investigations for positions that require them. You do not need to have existing clearance to apply. The company submits your case to the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA), which conducts the investigation.
How long does it take to get a Secret clearance at Lockheed Martin?
Secret clearance (Tier 3) processing takes an average of 60 to 150 days in 2026, depending on the complexity of your background and DCSA workload. Interim Secret clearance may be granted within 2 to 4 weeks if initial checks are clean.
How much more do cleared positions pay at Lockheed Martin?
Secret clearance adds approximately $5,000 to $10,000 to annual salary. Top Secret adds $15,000 to $25,000. TS/SCI adds $20,000 to $35,000. TS/SCI with polygraph can add $25,000 to $50,000 or more. The average cleared professional salary across the defense industry reached $119,131 in 2025.
Can past marijuana use disqualify me from clearance?
Recent marijuana use (within 1 to 3 years) can complicate clearance adjudication. Marijuana remains federally illegal regardless of state laws. Experimental use years in the past is generally not disqualifying. The most important thing is to be completely honest on the SF-86 about any use.
What happens to my clearance if I leave Lockheed Martin?
Your clearance remains active for up to 24 months after leaving a cleared position. During this period, another employer can quickly reactivate your clearance. After the 24-month period, the clearance becomes inactive and reactivation becomes more involved. Maintaining an active clearance significantly improves your marketability in the defense industry.
