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Job outlook for operational security specialists in the United States
Are operational security specialist jobs in demand?
Operational security specialist job and salary trends over time
Operational security specialist jobs over time
Operational security specialist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,209 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 2,204 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 2,354 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 2,329 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 2,310 | 0.00% |
Average operational security specialist salary over time
Operational security specialist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $42,159 | $20.27 | +4.6% |
| 2025 | $40,299 | $19.37 | +4.2% |
| 2024 | $38,683 | $18.60 | +5.9% |
| 2023 | $36,524 | $17.56 | +4.4% |
| 2022 | $34,990 | $16.82 | +4.6% |
Operational security specialist jobs by state
Most common states for operational security specialists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 216 | 31% |
| 2 | Delaware | 961,939 | 224 | 23% |
| 3 | Alaska | 739,795 | 153 | 21% |
| 4 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,142 | 20% |
| 5 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 213 | 20% |
| 6 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 358 | 19% |
| 7 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,246 | 18% |
| 8 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 557 | 18% |
| 9 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 242 | 18% |
| 10 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 134 | 18% |
| 11 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 2,171 | 17% |
| 12 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 2,133 | 17% |
| 13 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,728 | 17% |
| 14 | Vermont | 623,657 | 109 | 17% |
| 15 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,636 | 16% |
| 16 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,344 | 16% |
| 17 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,168 | 16% |
| 18 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 167 | 16% |
| 19 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 95 | 16% |
| 20 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 633 | 15% |
Most common cities for operational security specialists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brea | 1 | 2% | $45,456 |
| 2 | Downers Grove | 1 | 2% | $35,804 |
| 3 | Atlanta | 3 | 1% | $31,417 |
| 4 | Orlando | 2 | 1% | $31,493 |
| 5 | Lewisville | 1 | 1% | $35,815 |
| 6 | Miami Beach | 1 | 1% | $31,700 |
| 7 | Chicago | 5 | 0% | $35,890 |
| 8 | Denver | 3 | 0% | $37,556 |
| 9 | Jacksonville | 3 | 0% | $30,907 |
| 10 | Washington | 3 | 0% | $56,550 |
| 11 | Baltimore | 2 | 0% | $42,959 |
| 12 | Phoenix | 2 | 0% | $38,080 |
| 13 | Arlington | 1 | 0% | $40,465 |
| 14 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $53,227 |
| 15 | Los Angeles | 1 | 0% | $45,613 |
| 16 | Miami | 1 | 0% | $31,710 |
| 17 | Minneapolis | 1 | 0% | $41,173 |
| 18 | New Orleans | 1 | 0% | $33,960 |
| 19 | New York | 1 | 0% | $45,272 |
Operational Security Specialist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of operational security specialist experts
American University
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Operational Security Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Trace Lasley Ph.D.: The pandemic will have less of an impact than the change in administration and budget negotiations with Congress. Hiring seems to have slowed at the end of the last administration, but will likely pick up again. Even as administration priorities in the Department of Homeland Security shift, they will be offset by hiring in the wider homeland security enterprise including those at the federal, state, and local levels as well as contractor positions.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Operational Security Specialists?
Trace Lasley Ph.D.: There are a lot of good courses. The best programs to look for are those that offer practical skills alongside the substantive knowledge. That means writing, briefing, project management, and other skills that are valuable regardless of the position. Substantively, right now, I would say domestic terrorism and cybersecurity, but you can't neglect the fundamentals about the history of homeland security and transnational terrorism.
How have salaries changed over time for Operational Security Specialists?
Trace Lasley Ph.D.: Federal salaries are an open record. Check out the Office of Personnel Management https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/#url=2021. You can see the salaries for the last 10 years, and there's a link that will take you back to 1949. For a Masters level homeland security practitioner, you're generally looking at a GS-9 salary, which will vary by location.