Skill Demand Index
DoD Secret Clearance — Demand & Depth Analysis
Based on 2 scored job postings out of 3,832 total. Depth levels reflect actual proficiency tiers, not just keyword presence.
0.1%
Demand Rate
L0
Median Depth
100%
Gap Rate
2
Jobs Analyzed
Minimal
Most employers want DoD Secret Clearance at introductory awareness.
Overview
What is DoD Secret Clearance?
Market context for DoD Secret Clearance in the current job market
DoD Secret Clearance is required in 0.1% of scored job postings on ShouldApply, making it a growing skill in the current job market. Employers looking for DoD Secret Clearance typically want candidates who can demonstrate real proficiency, not just surface awareness.
What the data shows for DoD Secret Clearance:
- •Required in 0.1% 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 Other roles — 100% of all DoD Secret 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 DoD Secret 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 DoD Secret Clearance at the depth employers need. This is a real opportunity for candidates who invest in building genuine proficiency.
Which roles need DoD Secret Clearance most:
Other positions drive 100% of demand. Skills commonly paired with DoD Secret Clearance include Program/Project Management and Security+ Certification.
Depth Level Distribution
Proficiency Distribution
How candidates match DoD Secret Clearance requirements across 2 scored evaluations
Average depth: L0.0·Median depth: L0.0
Salary Correlation
Pay Impact
How DoD Secret Clearance affects compensation based on postings with disclosed salary data
Without DoD Secret Clearance
$139K
Median $130K
994 jobs
Skill Demand Insight
“DoD Secret Clearance appears in 0.1% of all scored jobs.”
From 2 scored job postings
Skill Pairings
Commonly Paired Skills
Other skills that frequently appear alongside DoD Secret Clearance
100%
co-occurrence
100%
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 DoD Secret Clearance
Gap Analysis
Gap Rate Explained
How often DoD Secret Clearance is identified as a skill gap (L0–L1) in scored applications
High gap rate — most candidates are underqualified
When DoD Secret Clearance appears in a job's requirements, 100% of scored applicants received an L0 or L1 (missing or minimal).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is DoD Secret Clearance in demand in 2026?
Yes. DoD Secret Clearance appears in 0.1% 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 DoD Secret Clearance do most jobs require?
The median required depth is L0. Many positions accept basic to intermediate proficiency.
Does knowing DoD Secret Clearance increase salary?
Salary data for DoD Secret Clearance is still accumulating.
What other skills pair with DoD Secret Clearance?
The most common pairings are Program/Project Management, Security+ Certification, Team Management, Program/Project Management Experience, Microsoft Government Cloud (Azure Gov). Strengthening these alongside DoD Secret Clearance improves your fit across more positions.
What roles need DoD Secret Clearance the most?
Top roles: Other. Other positions have the highest demand at 100% of all DoD Secret Clearance jobs.
How do I improve my DoD Secret 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 DoD Secret Clearance job requirements
ShouldApply scores your profile against each skill at the depth level jobs actually need.
Analyze my DoD Secret Clearance gaps →See how your depth compares to what employers actually require
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