Cybersecurity Jobs for Veterans
Cybersecurity is the #1 destination for transitioning veterans with a clearance. Every SOC, cyber-defense, and incident-response team in the country is short on cleared talent — and the DoD 8570 pipeline maps almost 1:1 to what you already did in uniform.
Best entry roles & salaries
SOC Analyst (Tier 1/2)$70k–$95k
Incident Responder$95k–$130k
Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst$95k–$140k
Cloud Security Engineer$120k–$170k
Top employers
Booz Allen HamiltonLeidosCACIManTechRaytheonNorthrop GrummanCrowdStrikePalo Alto Networks
Recommended certifications
- Security+
- CySA+
- CISSP
- CEH
- AWS Security
- GIAC (GCIH, GCIA)
Key skills recruiters look for
SIEM (Splunk, Sentinel)Incident ResponseNetwork DefenseThreat HuntingCloud SecurityMITRE ATT&CK
Best MOS / rating fit
FAQ
Do I need a degree for a cyber job after the military?
No. Most veteran cyber hires enter with a Security+ and a clearance. A degree helps at the GS-13+ and senior-engineer levels but is not a barrier at entry.
How fast can I get hired in cyber after separation?
With an active TS/SCI and Security+, most veterans have offers within 30–60 days of transition.