Marine Corps 0211 Counterintelligence/HUMINT Specialist to Civilian: Complete Career Guide (2025 Salaries)

Bottom Line Up Front

As a 0211 Counterintelligence/HUMINT Specialist, you have specialized, high-value skills that are in serious demand: CI investigations, human source operations, surveillance operations, elicitation, threat assessments, and most importantly, your Top Secret/SCI clearance. Your enlisted CI/HUMINT experience translates directly to $75,000-$120,000+ positions with defense contractors, federal law enforcement agencies (FBI, ATF, DEA), intelligence community support roles, and private investigations. If you have an active TS/SCI with poly, contractors will pay $90,000-$150,000+ immediately. The intelligence community needs experienced CI/HUMINT operators—and your clearance combined with operational experience makes you extremely competitive.

Let's address the elephant in the room

Every 0211 who transitions faces the same questions: "How do I explain CI work without getting in trouble?" and "Does my security clearance really matter that much?"

Here's the reality: Your clearance is worth $25K-40K in immediate salary value, and your CI/HUMINT experience is exactly what the IC wants.

You didn't just "do background checks and interviews." You:

Conducted counterintelligence investigations and operations
Recruited, vetted, and debriefed human intelligence sources
Executed surveillance and counter-surveillance operations
Performed CI screenings and threat assessments
Coordinated with FBI, NCIS, and coalition CI agencies
Wrote intelligence reports and case documentation
Maintained TS/SCI access and handled compartmented information
Worked force protection and insider threat cases
Operated independently in high-stakes environments

That's counterintelligence operations, human intelligence collection, investigations, source handling, surveillance, multi-agency coordination, and security expertise. Defense contractors, federal agencies, and private investigation firms desperately need these skills.

The challenge isn't proving your value—it's knowing where to apply, how to market your clearance, and navigating the transition process.

Best civilian career paths for 0211 CI/HUMINT Specialists

Let's get into real job titles and current salary data.

Defense contractors - CI/HUMINT operations support (best immediate pay)

Civilian job titles:

Counterintelligence analyst
HUMINT operations specialist
CI screener/debriefer
Force protection analyst
All-source CI analyst
CI/HUMINT instructor
Threat analyst

Salary ranges:

Entry-level with active clearance: $75,000-$95,000
CI analyst (2-3 years experience): $95,000-$120,000
Senior CI/HUMINT specialist: $120,000-$145,000
CI operations manager: $130,000-$160,000
Overseas contractor (high-threat): $150,000-$200,000+

Top employers actively hiring 0211s:

CACI International (huge CI/HUMINT operations support)
CACI-WGI (Wexford Group) (specialized CI/HUMINT)
Booz Allen Hamilton (intelligence mission support)
Leidos (defense intelligence contracts)
PAE (Pacific Architects & Engineers) (SOF CI support)
Amentum (intelligence operations)
Peraton (CI program support)
ManTech (intelligence services)

What translates directly:

CI investigations and case management
HUMINT collection and source operations
CI screening and debriefing
Force protection analysis
Surveillance operations
TS/SCI clearance (critical)
Understanding of DoD CI programs and authorities

Certifications needed:

Active TS/SCI clearance (absolutely critical—this is your golden ticket)
CI polygraph (massive advantage; some contracts require it)
Associate's or bachelor's degree (increasingly required by prime contractors)
Military CI training documentation (CI Special Agent course, HUMINT course)

Reality check: Defense contractors supporting CI/HUMINT missions will pay you $80K-120K immediately if you have an active TS/SCI. That clearance is worth $25K-40K more than the same job without clearance.

Many positions support military units (FORSCOM, SOCOM, INSCOM) stateside or OCONUS. Overseas deployments (6-12 months) typically pay significantly more—$130K-200K for high-threat locations.

Work involves CI screening of local nationals, force protection analysis, CI investigations support, training military CI teams, or managing CI programs.

Contracts can be cyclical—they get won and lost. Job security comes from being valuable enough that companies keep you when contracts transition.

The work is often very similar to what you did in uniform, just in civilian clothes for significantly better pay. You're using the same tradecraft, supporting the same mission.

Best for: 0211s with active TS/SCI who want immediate high pay using their exact CI/HUMINT skillset with minimal retraining or transition time.

Federal law enforcement - Intelligence analyst and special agent

Civilian job titles:

FBI Intelligence Analyst
FBI Special Agent
ATF Special Agent
DEA Intelligence Research Specialist
HSI (Homeland Security Investigations) Special Agent
Secret Service Special Agent
NCIS Special Agent

Salary ranges (2025 GS pay scale with locality):

FBI Intelligence Analyst (GS-9 to GS-11 entry): $60,000-$80,000
FBI Intelligence Analyst (GS-12/13): $85,000-$120,000
FBI Special Agent (GS-10 start): $75,000-$95,000
FBI Special Agent (GS-13, 3-5 years): $105,000-$137,000
Other federal agents (GS-9/11 entry): $60,000-$85,000
Senior federal agents (GS-13/14): $105,000-$150,000

What translates directly:

Counterintelligence investigation experience
Source operations and handling
Surveillance techniques
Interviewing and elicitation
Report writing and case documentation
Multi-agency coordination
Clearance and compartmented access

Path requirements:

Bachelor's degree (required for most positions)
Age limits (typically 23-37 for Special Agent positions)
Background investigation (18-24 months for FBI)
Polygraph examination (FBI, Secret Service, DEA require it)
Physical fitness test (you'll pass this easily)
Firearms qualification (for agent positions)

Reality check: FBI Intelligence Analyst is an excellent path for 0211s. You support FBI investigations (counterterrorism, counterintelligence, cyber, criminal) using intelligence analysis skills. Your CI/HUMINT background is exactly what FBI CI squads need.

FBI Special Agent is the higher-paying path with badge, gun, and arrest authority. You'll work criminal investigations, counterintelligence, or counterterrorism. Your 0211 experience gives you massive credibility.

The hiring process is SLOW. FBI takes 18-24 months from application to academy. Other agencies are 9-18 months. Background investigations, polygraphs, medical screenings, interviews—expect a marathon.

Veteran preference gives you 5-10 points in the hiring process. Your CI clearance and experience make you competitive.

Once you're in, career progression is structured: Analyst/Agent → Senior → Supervisory → Management. Federal retirement after 20 years. Full benefits. Mission-driven work.

Best for: 0211s who want mission-focused federal law enforcement work, job security, excellent benefits, and are willing to endure long hiring timelines.

Intelligence community - Direct hire positions

Civilian job titles:

CI analyst (DIA, INSCOM, NSA)
HUMINT operations support (DIA)
CI screener/debriefer
Force protection analyst
Targeting analyst
Collection management analyst

Salary ranges (GS scale + locality):

Entry GS-9/11: $60,000-$80,000
Mid-career GS-12: $85,000-$105,000
Senior analyst GS-13: $105,000-$130,000
Supervisory GS-14/15: $125,000-$165,000

Target agencies for 0211s:

Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) - defense CI and HUMINT
Army Counterintelligence (INSCOM) - CI operations support
National Security Agency (NSA) - counterintelligence
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) - CI support
Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) - CI and security

What translates directly:

CI operations and investigations
HUMINT collection support
Force protection analysis
Security and vetting procedures
Classified program access
DoD CI mission understanding

Path requirements:

Bachelor's degree (increasingly required; associate's minimum)
Active clearance (agencies will sponsor renewal, but active is better)
Polygraph (counterintelligence scope for most positions)
Background investigation (12-18 months if renewing clearance)

Reality check: Direct-hire federal IC positions offer job security, federal benefits (TSP, pension, health insurance), and mission focus. You're supporting the same intelligence mission you did in uniform.

Salary starts lower than contractors but grows steadily. GS promotions are relatively predictable with time-in-grade and performance.

Work-life balance is generally better than deployed contractor work. You're stateside (mostly), working regular schedules, with federal holidays and leave.

Federal hiring is slow—expect 9-18 months from application to start date. But once you're in, job security is excellent.

Your 0211 background gives you direct experience in exactly what these agencies need. You understand the mission, have the clearance, and know the tradecraft.

Best for: 0211s who want federal job security, benefits, and mission-focused work over maximum salary, and can handle slow hiring processes.

Private sector investigations and security

Civilian job titles:

Corporate investigator
Background investigator (federal contract)
Due diligence analyst
Insider threat analyst
Loss prevention investigator
Private investigator

Salary ranges:

Background investigator (federal contracts): $50,000-$70,000
Corporate investigator: $60,000-$85,000
Senior investigator: $85,000-$110,000
Security manager: $95,000-$130,000
Director of investigations: $120,000-$160,000

Top employers:

CACI (background investigations contract) - federal BI
Peraton (formerly KeyPoint) - background investigations
DCSA contractors - security clearance investigations
Kroll - corporate investigations
Control Risks - risk and investigations
Pinkerton - corporate security and investigations
Fortune 500 corporate security departments

What translates directly:

Investigation skills and methodology
Interviewing and elicitation techniques
Report writing
Background investigations (similar to CI vetting)
Threat assessment
Confidential source handling (becomes CI handling)

Certifications needed:

Bachelor's degree (preferred for corporate roles)
Professional Certified Investigator (PCI) - optional but valuable
Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) - for fraud investigation roles
State PI license (required in some states for PI work)

Reality check: Federal background investigations pay $50K-70K to start—lower than other options but steady work and you're building investigative experience. Companies like CACI and Peraton hire in volume.

Corporate investigations pay better ($70K-100K) and involve employee misconduct, fraud, intellectual property theft, and due diligence work. Your CI investigative skills translate directly.

No clearance required for most private sector work (though it's still an asset). Better work-life balance—you're not deploying or working rotating shifts.

Growth potential is solid. Start as investigator, move to senior investigator, then management. Directors of corporate investigations make $120K-160K.

Best for: 0211s who want to use investigative skills in the private sector without clearance requirements, deployments, or desire to maintain government connections.

State and local law enforcement

Civilian job titles:

Police detective
Sheriff's deputy
State investigator
Intelligence analyst (fusion center)
Gang/narcotics investigator

Salary ranges:

Patrol officer entry: $45,000-$60,000
Detective/investigator: $65,000-$85,000
Intelligence analyst (fusion center): $60,000-$80,000
Senior detective: $80,000-$100,000
Supervisory positions: $95,000-$120,000

What translates directly:

Investigation and case building
Interviewing suspects and witnesses
Confidential informant handling (similar to source operations)
Surveillance operations
Report writing
Evidence handling

Path requirements:

Police academy (4-6 months, usually paid by department)
POST certification (state-specific)
Background investigation and polygraph
Physical fitness test
Driver's license (clean record)

Reality check: You'll start as a patrol officer ($45K-60K) even with CI experience. Promotion to detective takes 2-5 years typically. But your investigative skills from 0211 will make you competitive for detective positions once eligible.

Some departments have intelligence units or work with FBI Joint Terrorism Task Forces (JTTF)—your CI/HUMINT background is perfect for these roles.

Hiring process is 6-12 months (faster than FBI but still slow). Many departments have veteran preference.

Benefits are typically strong—pension, health insurance, job security. Many officers retire after 20-25 years.

Best for: 0211s who want local law enforcement work, are willing to start as patrol officers, and can accept lower pay for job security and pension.

Skills translation table (for your resume)

Stop writing "0211 CI/HUMINT Specialist" on civilian resumes. Translate it:

Military Skill	Civilian Translation
0211 CI/HUMINT specialist	Counterintelligence operations specialist; HUMINT analyst
Conducted CI investigations	Executed counterintelligence investigations; identified and mitigated threats
Recruited and handled human sources	Developed confidential sources; conducted source operations for intelligence collection
CI screening and debriefing	Conducted security screenings and structured intelligence debriefings
Surveillance operations	Executed surveillance and counter-surveillance operations
Force protection analysis	Conducted threat assessments and force protection analysis
TS/SCI clearance with CI poly	Active Top Secret/SCI clearance with counterintelligence-scope polygraph
Coordinated with FBI/NCIS	Collaborated with federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies on joint operations
Intelligence report writing	Authored intelligence reports and operational summaries
CI training and briefings	Delivered counterintelligence training and threat briefings to personnel

Resume tips for 0211s:

Lead with your clearance: "TS/SCI cleared Counterintelligence Specialist with CI polygraph and 4+ years operational experience"
Quantify your work: "Conducted 75+ CI investigations" or "Screened and vetted 200+ personnel for classified access"
Emphasize results: "Identified 5 insider threats preventing compromise of classified operations"
Highlight multi-agency work: "Coordinated with FBI, NCIS, and coalition partners on 40+ joint CI operations"
Translate for civilians: Write out "counterintelligence" and "human intelligence"—don't assume everyone knows CI/HUMINT

Certifications that actually matter for 0211s

Here's what's worth your time and GI Bill:

Critical priority (get these):

Maintain your TS/SCI clearance - Worth $25K-40K in immediate salary. If it's active, you're employable at $80K+ within days. Let it lapse and you're competing with hundreds of people for positions while waiting 12-18 months for renewal. Value: Priceless.

Bachelor's degree - Increasingly required by defense contractors and federal agencies. Associate's degree is minimum; bachelor's opens significantly more doors. Major doesn't matter hugely—criminal justice, intelligence studies, cybersecurity, business administration all work. Cost: $0 with GI Bill. Time: 2-4 years. Value: Required for most positions.

Security+ (CompTIA) - Required for DoD 8570 compliance if your role touches IT systems (most intelligence work does). Cost: $400 exam. Time: 2-4 weeks study. Value: Opens contractor positions requiring IT access.

Medium priority (valuable for certain paths):

Professional Certified Investigator (PCI) - Demonstrates professional investigative competency. Valuable for corporate investigations and private sector work. Cost: $400 exam. Value: Competitive advantage in private sector investigations.

Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) - For corporate fraud investigation roles. Cost: $450 exam + $375/year membership. Value: Opens fraud investigation positions at $75K-110K.

Project Management Professional (PMP) - For CI program management roles. Requires 3 years experience. Cost: $500-1,000 exam; $2,000-4,000 training. Value: Opens $120K-160K program manager roles.

State PI license - Required if you're doing private investigation work in some states. Cost: $200-800 depending on state. Time: varies by state. Value: Only if doing private investigation work.

Low priority (nice to have):

Master's degree - Valuable for career progression to senior positions (GS-13+) but not immediately necessary. Use GI Bill after you're established in civilian career. Value: Long-term career advancement.

CISSP (cybersecurity) - Only if pivoting to cyber CI or insider threat roles. Cost: $700 exam. Value: Moderate; better for cyber-focused positions.

The skills gap (what you need to learn)

Let's be honest about civilian work versus military CI/HUMINT:

Computer skills: If your tech experience is limited to classified systems, you need basic commercial IT skills. Most jobs require Microsoft Office, SharePoint, Slack, email, and data entry. Take free online courses. Learn Excel basics.

Business communication: Military reporting style works, but civilian jobs want polished presentations, professional emails, and executive summaries. Work on business writing and PowerPoint skills.

Legal frameworks: Civilian CI and investigations operate under different legal authorities. You'll need to understand U.S. law, FISA, EO 12333, and agency-specific authorities. You'll learn on the job, but the legal framework is different from military authorities.

Networking and self-advocacy: In the military, your chain of command knows your work. In the civilian world, you need to network, maintain LinkedIn, and advocate for yourself. Get comfortable with it.

Patience with bureaucracy: You think military paperwork is bad? Federal hiring takes 12-24 months. Background investigations drag. HR doesn't understand CI/HUMINT work. Stay patient and persistent.

Real 0211 success stories

Carlos, 27, former 0211 E-5 → CACI CI analyst

After 6 years including two deployments, Carlos got out with active TS/SCI. Posted resume on ClearanceJobs, got 8 recruiter calls in 3 days. Interviewed with 4 contractors, got 3 offers. Took CACI position supporting INSCOM at $92,000. Two years later makes $115,000. "The clearance was everything. Contractors were desperate for cleared CI specialists."

Jennifer, 29, former 0211 E-6 → FBI Intelligence Analyst

Jennifer did 8 years, got out as a Staff Sergeant. Used GI Bill for bachelor's degree while working background investigations. Applied to FBI, 20-month hiring process. Started as GS-11 analyst at $75,000. Now GS-12 at $95,000 supporting counterintelligence squad. "Long hiring process, but worth it. I'm doing CI analysis for FBI using exactly what I learned as a 0211."

Mike, 26, former 0211 E-4 → ATF Special Agent

Mike got out after 5 years. Used GI Bill for bachelor's in criminal justice. Applied to ATF, DEA, and HSI. ATF hired him—12-month process. Started as GS-9 agent at $65,000. "My CI investigation experience was perfect for criminal investigations. I'm working firearms trafficking and gang cases now."

Ashley, 30, former 0211 E-5 → Corporate investigator at Fortune 500

Ashley wanted out of government work. Transitioned to corporate investigations at major retail company. Started at $72,000, now senior investigator at $98,000. "I investigate employee theft, fraud, and internal misconduct using CI investigation skills. No clearance, no deployments, great work-life balance."

Action plan: Your first 90 days out

Month 1: Foundation and clearance

Week 1-2:
- Verify clearance status (contact S-2; check DISS)
- Get 10 certified copies of DD-214
- Apply for VA disability (if eligible)
- Create professional email (firstname.lastname@gmail.com)
- Set up LinkedIn with professional photo
Week 3-4:
- Update resume with civilian terminology (use translation table)
- Register on ClearanceJobs.com (primary job board for cleared work)
- Create USAJOBS account (for federal positions)
- Research 5 target companies (CACI, Booz Allen, Leidos, FBI, DIA)
- Join veteran intelligence groups on LinkedIn

Month 2: Applications and education

Week 5-6:
- Apply to 20+ contractor positions on ClearanceJobs
- Apply to FBI (Intelligence Analyst and Special Agent if interested)
- Apply to federal agencies (DIA, DCSA, ATF, DEA)
- Enroll in bachelor's degree program if you don't have one (use GI Bill)
- Connect with 20+ CI/HUMINT professionals on LinkedIn
Week 7-8:
- Continue applications (10+ per week)
- Contact defense contractor recruiters directly
- Attend virtual veteran hiring events
- Practice explaining CI/HUMINT work in unclassified terms
- Prepare interview stories using STAR method

Month 3: Interviews and decisions

Week 9-10:
- Interview phase (contractors move faster than federal)
- Prepare portfolio: resume, sanitized work examples, reference list
- Get professional interview suit
- Research company contracts and mission areas
- Ask intelligent questions about clearance, team, growth
Week 11-12:
- Evaluate offers (compare salary, clearance, location, mission)
- Negotiate salary (clearance is leverage)
- Consider taking contractor role while waiting for federal hiring (FBI/agencies take 12-24 months)
- Accept offer and begin transition
- Keep applying even after accepting (keep options open during clearance transfer)

Bottom line for 0211 CI/HUMINT Specialists

Your 0211 counterintelligence and HUMINT experience is in high demand. You're not starting over—you're transitioning to organizations that need your exact skillset and will pay well for it.

Defense contractors will pay you $80K-120K immediately with an active TS/SCI. Federal agencies offer mission-focused work, job security, and $70K-100K to start with clear progression. Private sector investigations pay $65K-95K without clearance requirements.

Your clearance is worth $25K-40K in immediate salary value—maintain it if at all possible.

First-year civilian income of $75K-100K is realistic for 0211s with active clearances. Within 5 years, $100K-130K+ is achievable through strategic career moves and promotions.

Thousands of 0211s have successfully transitioned before you. The path is clear. The demand is real. The opportunities exist.

Execute your transition with the same operational discipline you brought to CI missions. Research targets, apply strategically, network effectively, and stay patient through hiring timelines.

Semper Fi, and good hunting in your next mission.

Ready to transition your CI/HUMINT career? Use the career planning tools at Military Transition Toolkit to research cleared positions, track applications, and plan your civilian career path.

Bottom Line Up Front

Let's address the elephant in the room

Every 0211 who transitions faces the same questions: "How do I explain CI work without getting in trouble?" and "Does my security clearance really matter that much?"

Here's the reality: Your clearance is worth $25K-40K in immediate salary value, and your CI/HUMINT experience is exactly what the IC wants.

You didn't just "do background checks and interviews." You:

Conducted counterintelligence investigations and operations
Recruited, vetted, and debriefed human intelligence sources
Executed surveillance and counter-surveillance operations
Performed CI screenings and threat assessments
Coordinated with FBI, NCIS, and coalition CI agencies
Wrote intelligence reports and case documentation
Maintained TS/SCI access and handled compartmented information
Worked force protection and insider threat cases
Operated independently in high-stakes environments

The challenge isn't proving your value—it's knowing where to apply, how to market your clearance, and navigating the transition process.

Best civilian career paths for 0211 CI/HUMINT Specialists

Let's get into real job titles and current salary data.

Defense contractors - CI/HUMINT operations support (best immediate pay)

Civilian job titles:

Counterintelligence analyst
HUMINT operations specialist
CI screener/debriefer
Force protection analyst
All-source CI analyst
CI/HUMINT instructor
Threat analyst

Salary ranges:

Entry-level with active clearance: $75,000-$95,000
CI analyst (2-3 years experience): $95,000-$120,000
Senior CI/HUMINT specialist: $120,000-$145,000
CI operations manager: $130,000-$160,000
Overseas contractor (high-threat): $150,000-$200,000+

Top employers actively hiring 0211s:

CACI International (huge CI/HUMINT operations support)
CACI-WGI (Wexford Group) (specialized CI/HUMINT)
Booz Allen Hamilton (intelligence mission support)
Leidos (defense intelligence contracts)
PAE (Pacific Architects & Engineers) (SOF CI support)
Amentum (intelligence operations)
Peraton (CI program support)
ManTech (intelligence services)

What translates directly:

CI investigations and case management
HUMINT collection and source operations
CI screening and debriefing
Force protection analysis
Surveillance operations
TS/SCI clearance (critical)
Understanding of DoD CI programs and authorities

Certifications needed:

Active TS/SCI clearance (absolutely critical—this is your golden ticket)
CI polygraph (massive advantage; some contracts require it)
Associate's or bachelor's degree (increasingly required by prime contractors)
Military CI training documentation (CI Special Agent course, HUMINT course)

Many positions support military units (FORSCOM, SOCOM, INSCOM) stateside or OCONUS. Overseas deployments (6-12 months) typically pay significantly more—$130K-200K for high-threat locations.

Work involves CI screening of local nationals, force protection analysis, CI investigations support, training military CI teams, or managing CI programs.

Contracts can be cyclical—they get won and lost. Job security comes from being valuable enough that companies keep you when contracts transition.

The work is often very similar to what you did in uniform, just in civilian clothes for significantly better pay. You're using the same tradecraft, supporting the same mission.

Best for: 0211s with active TS/SCI who want immediate high pay using their exact CI/HUMINT skillset with minimal retraining or transition time.

Federal law enforcement - Intelligence analyst and special agent

Civilian job titles:

FBI Intelligence Analyst
FBI Special Agent
ATF Special Agent
DEA Intelligence Research Specialist
HSI (Homeland Security Investigations) Special Agent
Secret Service Special Agent
NCIS Special Agent

Salary ranges (2025 GS pay scale with locality):

FBI Intelligence Analyst (GS-9 to GS-11 entry): $60,000-$80,000
FBI Intelligence Analyst (GS-12/13): $85,000-$120,000
FBI Special Agent (GS-10 start): $75,000-$95,000
FBI Special Agent (GS-13, 3-5 years): $105,000-$137,000
Other federal agents (GS-9/11 entry): $60,000-$85,000
Senior federal agents (GS-13/14): $105,000-$150,000

What translates directly:

Counterintelligence investigation experience
Source operations and handling
Surveillance techniques
Interviewing and elicitation
Report writing and case documentation
Multi-agency coordination
Clearance and compartmented access

Path requirements:

Bachelor's degree (required for most positions)
Age limits (typically 23-37 for Special Agent positions)
Background investigation (18-24 months for FBI)
Polygraph examination (FBI, Secret Service, DEA require it)
Physical fitness test (you'll pass this easily)
Firearms qualification (for agent positions)

Veteran preference gives you 5-10 points in the hiring process. Your CI clearance and experience make you competitive.

Once you're in, career progression is structured: Analyst/Agent → Senior → Supervisory → Management. Federal retirement after 20 years. Full benefits. Mission-driven work.

Best for: 0211s who want mission-focused federal law enforcement work, job security, excellent benefits, and are willing to endure long hiring timelines.

Intelligence community - Direct hire positions

Civilian job titles:

CI analyst (DIA, INSCOM, NSA)
HUMINT operations support (DIA)
CI screener/debriefer
Force protection analyst
Targeting analyst
Collection management analyst

Salary ranges (GS scale + locality):

Entry GS-9/11: $60,000-$80,000
Mid-career GS-12: $85,000-$105,000
Senior analyst GS-13: $105,000-$130,000
Supervisory GS-14/15: $125,000-$165,000

Target agencies for 0211s:

Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) - defense CI and HUMINT
Army Counterintelligence (INSCOM) - CI operations support
National Security Agency (NSA) - counterintelligence
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) - CI support
Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) - CI and security

What translates directly:

CI operations and investigations
HUMINT collection support
Force protection analysis
Security and vetting procedures
Classified program access
DoD CI mission understanding

Path requirements:

Bachelor's degree (increasingly required; associate's minimum)
Active clearance (agencies will sponsor renewal, but active is better)
Polygraph (counterintelligence scope for most positions)
Background investigation (12-18 months if renewing clearance)

Salary starts lower than contractors but grows steadily. GS promotions are relatively predictable with time-in-grade and performance.

Work-life balance is generally better than deployed contractor work. You're stateside (mostly), working regular schedules, with federal holidays and leave.

Federal hiring is slow—expect 9-18 months from application to start date. But once you're in, job security is excellent.

Your 0211 background gives you direct experience in exactly what these agencies need. You understand the mission, have the clearance, and know the tradecraft.

Best for: 0211s who want federal job security, benefits, and mission-focused work over maximum salary, and can handle slow hiring processes.

Private sector investigations and security

Civilian job titles:

Corporate investigator
Background investigator (federal contract)
Due diligence analyst
Insider threat analyst
Loss prevention investigator
Private investigator

Salary ranges:

Background investigator (federal contracts): $50,000-$70,000
Corporate investigator: $60,000-$85,000
Senior investigator: $85,000-$110,000
Security manager: $95,000-$130,000
Director of investigations: $120,000-$160,000

Top employers:

CACI (background investigations contract) - federal BI
Peraton (formerly KeyPoint) - background investigations
DCSA contractors - security clearance investigations
Kroll - corporate investigations
Control Risks - risk and investigations
Pinkerton - corporate security and investigations
Fortune 500 corporate security departments

What translates directly:

Investigation skills and methodology
Interviewing and elicitation techniques
Report writing
Background investigations (similar to CI vetting)
Threat assessment
Confidential source handling (becomes CI handling)

Certifications needed:

Bachelor's degree (preferred for corporate roles)
Professional Certified Investigator (PCI) - optional but valuable
Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) - for fraud investigation roles
State PI license (required in some states for PI work)

Corporate investigations pay better ($70K-100K) and involve employee misconduct, fraud, intellectual property theft, and due diligence work. Your CI investigative skills translate directly.

No clearance required for most private sector work (though it's still an asset). Better work-life balance—you're not deploying or working rotating shifts.

Growth potential is solid. Start as investigator, move to senior investigator, then management. Directors of corporate investigations make $120K-160K.

Best for: 0211s who want to use investigative skills in the private sector without clearance requirements, deployments, or desire to maintain government connections.

State and local law enforcement

Civilian job titles:

Police detective
Sheriff's deputy
State investigator
Intelligence analyst (fusion center)
Gang/narcotics investigator

Salary ranges:

Patrol officer entry: $45,000-$60,000
Detective/investigator: $65,000-$85,000
Intelligence analyst (fusion center): $60,000-$80,000
Senior detective: $80,000-$100,000
Supervisory positions: $95,000-$120,000

What translates directly:

Investigation and case building
Interviewing suspects and witnesses
Confidential informant handling (similar to source operations)
Surveillance operations
Report writing
Evidence handling

Path requirements:

Police academy (4-6 months, usually paid by department)
POST certification (state-specific)
Background investigation and polygraph
Physical fitness test
Driver's license (clean record)

Some departments have intelligence units or work with FBI Joint Terrorism Task Forces (JTTF)—your CI/HUMINT background is perfect for these roles.

Hiring process is 6-12 months (faster than FBI but still slow). Many departments have veteran preference.

Benefits are typically strong—pension, health insurance, job security. Many officers retire after 20-25 years.

Best for: 0211s who want local law enforcement work, are willing to start as patrol officers, and can accept lower pay for job security and pension.

Skills translation table (for your resume)

Stop writing "0211 CI/HUMINT Specialist" on civilian resumes. Translate it:

Military Skill	Civilian Translation
0211 CI/HUMINT specialist	Counterintelligence operations specialist; HUMINT analyst
Conducted CI investigations	Executed counterintelligence investigations; identified and mitigated threats
Recruited and handled human sources	Developed confidential sources; conducted source operations for intelligence collection
CI screening and debriefing	Conducted security screenings and structured intelligence debriefings
Surveillance operations	Executed surveillance and counter-surveillance operations
Force protection analysis	Conducted threat assessments and force protection analysis
TS/SCI clearance with CI poly	Active Top Secret/SCI clearance with counterintelligence-scope polygraph
Coordinated with FBI/NCIS	Collaborated with federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies on joint operations
Intelligence report writing	Authored intelligence reports and operational summaries
CI training and briefings	Delivered counterintelligence training and threat briefings to personnel

Resume tips for 0211s:

Lead with your clearance: "TS/SCI cleared Counterintelligence Specialist with CI polygraph and 4+ years operational experience"
Quantify your work: "Conducted 75+ CI investigations" or "Screened and vetted 200+ personnel for classified access"
Emphasize results: "Identified 5 insider threats preventing compromise of classified operations"
Highlight multi-agency work: "Coordinated with FBI, NCIS, and coalition partners on 40+ joint CI operations"
Translate for civilians: Write out "counterintelligence" and "human intelligence"—don't assume everyone knows CI/HUMINT

Certifications that actually matter for 0211s

Here's what's worth your time and GI Bill:

Critical priority (get these):

Medium priority (valuable for certain paths):

Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) - For corporate fraud investigation roles. Cost: $450 exam + $375/year membership. Value: Opens fraud investigation positions at $75K-110K.

Project Management Professional (PMP) - For CI program management roles. Requires 3 years experience. Cost: $500-1,000 exam; $2,000-4,000 training. Value: Opens $120K-160K program manager roles.

State PI license - Required if you're doing private investigation work in some states. Cost: $200-800 depending on state. Time: varies by state. Value: Only if doing private investigation work.

Low priority (nice to have):

CISSP (cybersecurity) - Only if pivoting to cyber CI or insider threat roles. Cost: $700 exam. Value: Moderate; better for cyber-focused positions.

The skills gap (what you need to learn)

Let's be honest about civilian work versus military CI/HUMINT:

Real 0211 success stories

Carlos, 27, former 0211 E-5 → CACI CI analyst

Jennifer, 29, former 0211 E-6 → FBI Intelligence Analyst

Mike, 26, former 0211 E-4 → ATF Special Agent

Ashley, 30, former 0211 E-5 → Corporate investigator at Fortune 500

Action plan: Your first 90 days out

Month 1: Foundation and clearance

Week 1-2:
- Verify clearance status (contact S-2; check DISS)
- Get 10 certified copies of DD-214
- Apply for VA disability (if eligible)
- Create professional email (firstname.lastname@gmail.com)
- Set up LinkedIn with professional photo
Week 3-4:
- Update resume with civilian terminology (use translation table)
- Register on ClearanceJobs.com (primary job board for cleared work)
- Create USAJOBS account (for federal positions)
- Research 5 target companies (CACI, Booz Allen, Leidos, FBI, DIA)
- Join veteran intelligence groups on LinkedIn

Month 2: Applications and education

Week 5-6:
- Apply to 20+ contractor positions on ClearanceJobs
- Apply to FBI (Intelligence Analyst and Special Agent if interested)
- Apply to federal agencies (DIA, DCSA, ATF, DEA)
- Enroll in bachelor's degree program if you don't have one (use GI Bill)
- Connect with 20+ CI/HUMINT professionals on LinkedIn
Week 7-8:
- Continue applications (10+ per week)
- Contact defense contractor recruiters directly
- Attend virtual veteran hiring events
- Practice explaining CI/HUMINT work in unclassified terms
- Prepare interview stories using STAR method

Month 3: Interviews and decisions

Week 9-10:
- Interview phase (contractors move faster than federal)
- Prepare portfolio: resume, sanitized work examples, reference list
- Get professional interview suit
- Research company contracts and mission areas
- Ask intelligent questions about clearance, team, growth
Week 11-12:
- Evaluate offers (compare salary, clearance, location, mission)
- Negotiate salary (clearance is leverage)
- Consider taking contractor role while waiting for federal hiring (FBI/agencies take 12-24 months)
- Accept offer and begin transition
- Keep applying even after accepting (keep options open during clearance transfer)

Bottom line for 0211 CI/HUMINT Specialists

Your 0211 counterintelligence and HUMINT experience is in high demand. You're not starting over—you're transitioning to organizations that need your exact skillset and will pay well for it.

Your clearance is worth $25K-40K in immediate salary value—maintain it if at all possible.

First-year civilian income of $75K-100K is realistic for 0211s with active clearances. Within 5 years, $100K-130K+ is achievable through strategic career moves and promotions.

Thousands of 0211s have successfully transitioned before you. The path is clear. The demand is real. The opportunities exist.

Execute your transition with the same operational discipline you brought to CI missions. Research targets, apply strategically, network effectively, and stay patient through hiring timelines.

Semper Fi, and good hunting in your next mission.

Ready to transition your CI/HUMINT career? Use the career planning tools at Military Transition Toolkit to research cleared positions, track applications, and plan your civilian career path.