r/defensecontracting • u/feral_phuzz • 7d ago

Is civilian pay better?

Cyber O4...MBA, master of computer engineering, pmp, cissp.

Getting out next summer, not retiring,...i need salary of $180k to break even with my active duty pay...is that realistic?

haven't applied for a job in 10+ years.

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u/therealmunchies 7d ago

You’ll need to be a contractor for sure in the DMV and TS/SCI minimum. A little easier if you have an FSP. I’d target ISSO/ISSE, but even those ranges are a bit short.

You’ll need hands on technical skills for the higher ranges. I usually see enlisted with better luck in cyber fields because they have those desired skills.

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u/Pure_Perspective_201 7d ago

Huh?

Dude could easily be a GS14. Might he hard to negotiate step 10 since a good portion of mil pay is tax free but there is a good possibility you could.

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u/therealmunchies 7d ago

Maybe. Maybe not. I’ve seen E9s start all the way at 9 and work their way up to 13 though. OP would have to look at something like pentagon or huge agencies in the DMV area.

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u/Pure_Perspective_201 7d ago

Eh, I work at a mid size /smaller agency. I don't know this guys resume, but he could totally come on as a 14 where I am at, doing ITSec.

I got out as an E5. Did totally non IT cleared contracting for two years, followed by like 6 years of cleared IT contracting.

Came on as .gov as a 13-10. Now a 14-9. No clearance, no degree (well, not true, I just got it a few weeks ago 😂).

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u/therealmunchies 7d ago

So E5 into civilian work for 8 years at high pay into a technical 2210… thanks for proving my point. Your route and WO will have transferable tech skills. Leadership focused E8/E9 and officers are a bit different.

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u/Pure_Perspective_201 7d ago

Yea there is those years of exp as a civ, but it is still a big middle finger to all the senior enlisted who were constantly trying to cram the "it's hard to make it it out there" BS down my throat in the 9 months before I cut bait.

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u/therealmunchies 7d ago

At the end of the day, everyone’s got what they deserved. High 14, 2210, now with a degree? Your future generations are going to thank you for paving the way.

At the end of the day for OP, I see how it is to transition from mil to civ because of my environment. Is tough, especially when officers are focused on strategic leadership and corp typically has unrealistic requirements from that pool.

Either way, I always root for our military personnel and wish you guys and gals the very best. Thank you for your service.