What Is a Typical Systems Engineer Salary at the CIA?

Do you have a solid background as a systems engineer and want to work for the government? Would you like to help the CIA with global intelligence?

Then a career as a systems or software engineer in the CIA may be ideal for you. However, you may want to learn a little more about this profession before you pursue it. Things like requirements and pay are important things to consider when making such a crucial decision.

In this article, you'll find out key details for working as a CIA systems engineer: salary, requirements, and more.

A Career as a Systems Engineer in the CIA

While the media portrays CIA agents as being suave and having exciting lives, the reality is, your life will be pretty ordinary. If you're worried about your life changing significantly with employment at the CIA, don't be. They hire people with tattoos, don't require you to get off social media, and don't ask you to spy on or abandon your loved ones, so put those nagging myths in your head to rest.

You do have to gather intelligence from sources outside of the country; otherwise, expect the job to be pretty similar to working at any other company.

Systems Engineer Requirements

As expected, you need to be a US citizen. You also need to have a bachelor's degree in a related field, such as Engineering, Computer Science, Math, Science, or Computer Engineering. Not only that, but you need to have a GPA of at least 3.0.

In addition, you need to have over two years' relevant experience and at least one year of experience in enterprise systems.

Systems Engineer Salary

An enterprise systems engineer can make anywhere between $86k to over $133k a year. Your starting salary depends on a number of things, such as your prior experience and qualifications. Once you start a position at the CIA, you'll have plenty of opportunities to move up the ranks and get raises.

Other Important Details

The CIA requires discretion, which means you'll have to be selective about who you tell about your application. So don't go shouting it all over social media.

Once you make it through the application process, you'll need to go through a medical and psychological exam, polygraph test, and a background check. You must not have done illegal drugs in the last 12 months; for anything over 12 months, it'll be noted and checked thoroughly.

Start a Rewarding Career

Now that you have any idea what a typical systems engineer salary is in the CIA and the requirements to apply, you may think this is a lucrative career to get into.

But do remember that not only do you have to be a US citizen and possibly relocate, but you also have to go through rigorous testing. If you aren't sure you can handle such procedures, then you may want to consider a career in civilian systems engineering instead.

Get in touch with us today to learn more about working with us as a systems engineer.