Jobs in defense, aerospace, and homeland security are flourishing, according to ClearanceJobs.com, and will continue to grow. What's more, employers in these fields need qualified applicants, such as former military personnel, to fill these positions.
"The imbalance of open positions to candidates puts the value of a security clearance at a premium," he adds.
Related: Search for Government jobs.
Additionally, defense jobs can be found all over the country but there are hot spots where opportunity abounds. Here's a list of Clearancejobs.com's top 10 cities for defense careers:
1. Washington D.C.: The sheer number of federal agencies in the district means a revolving door of vacancies requiring clearance. The Department of Labor estimates that 60 percent of the federal workforce will be eligible for retirement in the next ten years, leaving plenty of positions up for grabs.
2. Orlando: Most major defense companies have a presence in this Florida city as it has become a hub for military modeling and simulation.
3. Tampa/St. Petersburg: Ongoing needs for technical, computer and engineering skills, as well as those with backgrounds in international affairs, intelligence and languages are needed in the metropolitan area that serves the MacDill Air Force Base and the largest port in the state.
4. Huntsville: With 50 percent more jobs posted on ClearanceJobs in the past year for Rocket City, there appears to be no limit for candidates in computer sciences and integration, communications services, biotechnology and engineering.
5. Dallas/Ft. Worth: The Silicon Prairie city is brimming with opportunities for software and systems engineers, field service technicians and general IT positions for security-cleared professionals.
Related: Does your resume pass the 6-second test? Get a FREE assessment.
6. Colorado Springs: With two Air Force Bases and the U.S. Air Force Academy, the aerospace industry is only second to tourism in Colorado Springs. The focus is on highly technical missions, chiefly systems engineering and space surveillance.
7. Tucson: There are some 80 aerospace firms in this city alone, now considered a 'cluster industry' region where firms are networking together in areas that include optics, aerospace, bioindustry and technology.
8. Phoenix: The desert offers lots of room for defense contractors to test new vehicles, radar and delivery systems. Jobs from engineering to program management to manufacturing are open in this city at any given time.
9. San Diego: The military and defense sector remains one of this city's most stable assets, a nearly $25 billion dollar industry. The wide array of security-cleared job opportunities from construction to communications and electronics make San Diego very attractive to candidates.
10. Los Angeles: Network systems and data communications analysts are two of the fastest growing occupations in both Los Angeles and Orange County, both of which command six figure salaries.
If you want to search for a job in the defense industry, visit Military.com’s Security Clearance Job Board. Or, take our free 60-minute transition master class to find out how transition really works with the Veteran Employment Project.
For more career advice or to search jobs, visit Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.
The Next Step: Find the Right Veteran Job
Whether you want to polish up your resume, find veteran job fairs in your area, or connect with employers looking to hire veterans, Military.com can help. Sign up for a free Military.com membership to have job postings, guides and advice, and more delivered directly to your inbox.
