Army 35N Signals Intelligence Analyst to Civilian: Complete Career Transition Guide (With Salary Data)

Bottom Line Up Front

Army 35N Signals Intelligence Analysts transitioning out—you have some of the most technical and in-demand skills in the intelligence community. Your signals intelligence collection and analysis, SIGINT systems operation, electronic warfare support, technical analysis of communications and non-communications signals, cyber SIGINT operations, and ability to identify threats from intercepted electronic signals make you extremely valuable to government agencies and defense contractors. Realistic first-year salaries range from $90,000-$125,000 with NSA or defense contractors, scaling to $125,000-$165,000 with mid-career positions, and $165,000-$200,000+ for senior technical SIGINT roles or cybersecurity positions. Your TS/SCI clearance with technical SIGINT background is worth $25,000-$40,000 in salary premium.

As a 35N, you didn't just "monitor radios." You operated sophisticated SIGINT collection systems to intercept, locate, and analyze foreign communications and electronic signals. You identified threat networks through technical analysis of communications patterns. You conducted signals analysis to determine enemy capabilities, intentions, and locations. You operated direction-finding equipment and identified enemy emitters. You produced SIGINT reports that directly supported tactical and strategic operations. You worked with NSA systems and procedures. That's technical intelligence, electronic warfare, signals analysis, cyber operations, and pattern recognition—all highly marketable skills.

The key advantage: NSA actively recruits 35N analysts. You've already worked NSA systems, understand SIGINT collection and analysis, and hold the required clearance. Defense contractors supporting NSA, USCYBERCOM, and tactical SIGINT operations need your expertise. Cybersecurity firms value your technical analysis skills. Your SIGINT background opens doors to six-figure technical intelligence careers that most people can't access.

What Does a 35N Signals Intelligence Analyst Do?

As a 35N, you conducted SIGINT operations to identify, locate, and analyze foreign communications, non-communications emitters, and electronic signals. You operated SIGINT collection systems including receivers, direction-finding equipment, and technical analysis tools. You analyzed voice and non-voice communications to extract intelligence on enemy forces, locations, networks, and capabilities. You identified and tracked emitters through technical signal analysis and direction-finding operations. You produced SIGINT reports including time-sensitive reports on immediate threats, technical reports on enemy communications systems, and analytical products identifying threat networks.

Your responsibilities included monitoring specific targets using NSA tasking and reporting procedures, conducting technical analysis of communications and electronic warfare signals, operating and maintaining SIGINT collection equipment, performing geolocation of threat emitters, collaborating with other intelligence disciplines (HUMINT, GEOINT, CI) to develop comprehensive intelligence pictures, and supporting tactical operations with real-time SIGINT collection and reporting.

This role required technical proficiency with electronic systems, analytical thinking, attention to detail, understanding of communications theory and electronic warfare, ability to identify patterns in complex technical data, report writing skills, and TS/SCI clearance to handle NSA systems and SIGINT materials.

Skills You've Developed That Translate to Civilian Careers

Technical SIGINT Skills

SIGINT Collection & Analysis = NSA operations, defense contractor SIGINT support, technical intelligence for government agencies

Electronic Warfare Analysis = Cyber operations, spectrum management, electronic warfare for defense companies and military support

Direction Finding & Geolocation = Technical intelligence operations, counterterrorism support, cyber threat hunting

Communications Analysis = Telecommunications analysis, network analysis, cybersecurity threat intelligence

Technical Signal Processing = RF engineering, telecommunications, spectrum analysis for commercial applications

NSA Systems & Procedures = Direct experience with NSA tools highly valued by NSA and contractors supporting NSA missions

Pattern Recognition in Technical Data = Data science, analytics, threat intelligence, fraud detection

SIGINT Reporting = Intelligence writing, technical documentation, threat reporting

Professional Skills

Technical Problem-Solving = Engineering, cybersecurity analysis, technical troubleshooting in any field

Working with Classified Technical Systems = Security clearance and technical expertise combination worth significant salary premium

Real-Time Analysis Under Pressure = Crisis management, security operations center (SOC) work, incident response

Collaboration Across Disciplines = Cross-functional technical teams, integrated operations

Attention to Technical Detail = Quality assurance, testing, validation in technical fields

Shift Work & 24/7 Operations = SOC operations, cybersecurity monitoring, critical infrastructure protection

Top Civilian Career Paths for 35N SIGINT Analysts

National Security Agency (NSA) (perfect mission alignment, highest technical SIGINT work)

Civilian job titles:

• SIGINT Analyst
• Signals Analyst
• Cryptologic Computer Scientist
• Signals Intelligence Officer
• Technical Intelligence Analyst
• Cyber SIGINT Analyst
• Collection Operations Officer

Salary ranges:

• Entry-level (pay band 2): $75,000-$105,000 (plus locality pay at Fort Meade adds 30%+) = $97,000-$137,000
• Mid-career (pay band 3): $105,000-$145,000 + locality = $137,000-$189,000
• Senior-level (pay band 4): $145,000-$200,000+ + locality = $189,000-$260,000+

What translates directly:

• Everything. NSA is the national authority for SIGINT—your 35N work directly supports NSA missions
• SIGINT collection and analysis methodologies
• NSA systems and reporting procedures (you've already worked with these)
• Technical signal analysis
• Electronic warfare and communications intelligence
• Your TS/SCI clearance (required)

Certifications needed:

• Bachelor's degree (preferred for many positions, technical degrees in EE, Computer Science, Math, or related fields highly valued)
• Active TS/SCI clearance (mandatory)
• CI polygraph (required for most NSA positions)
• Technical certifications (Security+, network+, or CISSP valued but not required)

Reality check: NSA is Fort Meade, Maryland (primary campus) with smaller facilities in Georgia, Hawaii, Colorado, and Texas. Most SIGINT positions are at Fort Meade, which means living in Maryland (Baltimore-DC corridor). Cost of living is high but locality pay compensates.

NSA doesn't use GS pay scale—they use a pay band system with broader ranges and performance-based increases rather than automatic step raises. This means high performers advance faster and earn more.

Hiring process: 12-18 months including background investigation, CI polygraph, technical assessment, and clearance adjudication. NSA actively recruits military SIGINT professionals—your 35N background makes you highly competitive.

The mission is continuing SIGINT work at the strategic level—instead of supporting tactical operations, you're supporting national intelligence priorities. Work-life balance varies—some positions are shift work (24/7 operations), others are standard business hours. Overtime opportunities exist for those wanting additional income.

NSA offers excellent federal benefits: pension, TSP matching, comprehensive health insurance, professional development, and advanced technical training. Career progression is clear, and technical experts can advance without becoming managers.

Best for: 35N analysts who want to continue technical SIGINT mission, prefer government stability, and want to work at the highest levels of signals intelligence.

Defense Contractor SIGINT Positions (high pay, fast hiring, familiar mission)

Civilian job titles:

• SIGINT Analyst
• Signals Analyst
• Electronic Warfare Analyst
• Technical Intelligence Analyst
• SIGINT Operations Support
• SIGINT Systems Operator
• Cyber SIGINT Analyst
• SIGINT Collector

Salary ranges:

• Entry-level (0-3 years): $90,000-$115,000
• Mid-career (3-7 years): $115,000-$150,000
• Senior-level (7-12 years): $150,000-$180,000
• Lead/Principal (12+ years): $180,000-$220,000+
• OCONUS positions: Add 20-35% for overseas assignments

What translates directly: Everything. You're doing the same SIGINT work as a contractor that you did as a 35N, supporting NSA, USCYBERCOM, military units, and intelligence agencies.

Certifications needed:

• Active TS/SCI clearance (absolutely required)
• Security+ or equivalent (required for most DoD contracts—$400-600 exam)
• Bachelor's degree (preferred, sometimes waived for experience)
• CI polygraph (required for NSA-supporting contracts)
• Technical certifications (Network+, CEH, CISSP boost competitiveness)

Companies actively hiring 35N SIGINT analysts:

• Leidos (major NSA contractor)
• Booz Allen Hamilton (extensive cyber and SIGINT contracts)
• CACI International
• BAE Systems (SIGINT and EW support)
• General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT)
• Northrop Grumman (cyber and SIGINT)
• Raytheon Intelligence & Space (technical intelligence)
• SAIC
• Peraton
• ManTech
• L3Harris Technologies (SIGINT systems and support)
• Parsons
• KeyW Corporation
• Amentum
• PAE

Reality check: Most SIGINT contractor positions are at Fort Meade supporting NSA, or at other NSA sites (Georgia, Hawaii, Colorado). Some support tactical SIGINT at military installations worldwide. OCONUS positions exist but are fewer than during peak Iraq/Afghanistan operations.

Contracts typically last 3-5 years with options to extend. Contractors often work alongside NSA civilians doing identical work but earning 20-30% more. Trade-off is less job security—if contract ends or funding cuts, contractors leave first.

The work is meaningful—still supporting SIGINT collection and national security—but you're a contract employee. Benefits vary by company but most major contractors offer competitive packages.

Hiring is faster than federal government (2-4 months typically) because you already have the clearance and technical skills. Cleared SIGINT analysts are in high demand.

Best for: 35N analysts who want maximum salary, faster hiring than NSA, and flexibility to move between companies/contracts while continuing SIGINT mission.

Cybersecurity Analyst & Threat Intelligence (growing field, high demand)

Civilian job titles:

• Cybersecurity Analyst
• Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst
• Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst
• Network Security Analyst
• Incident Response Analyst
• Malware Analyst (with additional training)
• Threat Hunter

Salary ranges:

• Entry-level: $75,000-$95,000
• Mid-level: $95,000-$130,000
• Senior-level: $130,000-$170,000
• Lead/Manager: $170,000-$220,000+

What translates directly:

• Pattern recognition and anomaly detection (you did this with SIGINT)
• Technical analysis of complex data
• Real-time threat monitoring and reporting
• Understanding of network communications and protocols
• Working under pressure in operational environments
• Technical writing and reporting

Industries hiring:

• Tech companies (Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Apple, Cisco—protecting networks)
• Financial services (JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs—detecting cyber threats)
• Healthcare (protecting patient data and systems)
• Defense contractors (cleared cybersecurity positions)
• Critical infrastructure (energy, utilities, transportation)
• Cybersecurity firms (CrowdStrike, Mandiant, Palo Alto Networks)
• Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs)

Certifications needed:

• Security+ (entry-level baseline—$400-600)
• CISSP (mid-career standard—$749 exam, requires 5 years experience)
• CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) ($1,599)
• GIAC certifications (GCIH, GCIA—expensive but highly respected)
• Network+ (networking foundation—$338)

Reality check: Cybersecurity is one of the fastest-growing fields—Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 35% growth through 2031. Demand massively exceeds supply of qualified analysts.

Your SIGINT background translates well—pattern recognition, technical analysis, and threat detection are core cybersecurity skills. You'll need to learn some cyber-specific tools and methodologies, but your analytical foundation is solid.

Many cyber positions don't require clearances (unless working for defense contractors or government), meaning geographic flexibility. However, cleared cyber positions pay $15K-$30K more than non-cleared.

Work often involves shift work (24/7 SOC operations) or on-call responsibilities, similar to SIGINT watch. Career progression is strong—skilled analysts advance quickly, and senior positions pay $150K-$220K+.

Best for: 35N analysts who want to transition technical analysis skills to cybersecurity, prefer private sector opportunities, and want geographic flexibility.

Electronic Warfare & RF Engineering (technical specialization, defense focus)

Civilian job titles:

• Electronic Warfare Analyst
• RF Engineer
• Spectrum Analyst
• Electronic Warfare Systems Engineer
• Electromagnetic Spectrum Analyst
• Signals Intelligence Engineer

Salary ranges:

• Entry-level: $85,000-$110,000
• Mid-level: $110,000-$145,000
• Senior-level: $145,000-$180,000
• Principal Engineer: $180,000-$230,000+

What translates directly:

• Electronic warfare and signals analysis
• Understanding of communications systems
• Direction-finding and geolocation
• RF spectrum knowledge
• Technical analysis of emitters

Companies hiring:

• Raytheon
• Northrop Grumman
• L3Harris Technologies
• BAE Systems
• Lockheed Martin
• General Dynamics
• CACI
• Kratos Defense
• Mercury Systems

Reality check: EW and RF engineering roles are highly technical and often require engineering degrees or extensive technical experience. Your 35N background provides operational EW knowledge, but you may need additional technical education (bachelor's or master's in electrical engineering) to compete for engineering positions.

However, EW analyst roles (rather than engineer roles) value operational experience over formal education. These positions pay well and leverage your 35N skills directly.

Best for: 35N analysts with strong technical aptitude who want to specialize in EW/RF, are willing to pursue additional technical education, and want defense contractor engineering careers.

Intelligence Community Technical Positions (DIA, USCYBERCOM, etc.)

Civilian job titles:

• Technical Intelligence Analyst (DIA)
• Cyber Operations Planner (USCYBERCOM)
• SIGINT Operations Officer (various IC agencies)
• Signals Intelligence Analyst (various agencies)

Salary ranges:

• Entry-level (GS-11 to GS-12): $75,000-$105,000 + locality = $97,000-$137,000
• Mid-career (GS-13 to GS-14): $105,000-$140,000 + locality = $137,000-$182,000
• Senior (GS-14 to GS-15): $120,000-$165,000 + locality = $156,000-$215,000+

What translates directly: Technical SIGINT expertise, operational experience, NSA procedures, classified systems experience.

Best for: 35N analysts who want federal government stability with SIGINT mission, prefer clear career progression, and want excellent federal benefits.

Required Certifications & Training

High Priority (Get These)

CompTIA Security+

Baseline certification required for DoD contractor positions and valued across cybersecurity field.

• Cost: $400-600 exam
• Time: 2-6 weeks study
• ROI: Required for most defense SIGINT contractor roles, entry credential for cybersecurity
• Action: Get this 6-12 months before separation (Army COOL may fund)

Maintain TS/SCI Clearance

Your clearance with SIGINT access is worth $25,000-$40,000 in salary premium.

• Cost: $0 if you accept cleared job within 24 months
• Value: Required for 85% of SIGINT positions
• Action: Accept cleared position within 24 months to keep it active

Bachelor's Degree (Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Mathematics, or related technical field)

Increasingly required for NSA and technical positions. Not always required for contractor roles but limits advancement without it.

• Cost: $0 with GI Bill
• Time: 2-4 years
• ROI: Required for many NSA positions, opens engineering roles
• Action: Enroll immediately if you don't have one, prioritize technical degree

Medium Priority (Career Enhancers)

CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional)

Advanced cybersecurity certification, industry standard for senior security positions.

• Cost: $749 exam + $500-3,000 study materials
• Requirements: 5 years security experience (military counts)
• ROI: Average CISSP salary $131,000+, significantly increases competitiveness
• Time: 3-6 months study

CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker)

Offensive security certification valuable for threat intelligence and cyber roles.

• Cost: $1,599 (includes course and exam)
• ROI: Average CEH salary ~$102,000
• Value: Demonstrates offensive security knowledge

Network+ / CCNA

Networking certifications demonstrating understanding of network protocols and architecture.

• Cost: Network+ $338 exam, CCNA $300-450
• Value: Foundation for cyber and SIGINT technical roles

GIAC Certifications

Advanced certifications from SANS Institute, highly respected but expensive.

• GCIA (Intrusion Analysis): Technical analysis of network traffic
• GCIH (Incident Handler): Incident response
• GMON (Monitoring & Detection): SOC operations
• Cost: ~$949 exam + $8,275 course = ~$9,000+ per certification
• ROI: Average GIAC holder salary ~$132,000+

Master's Degree (Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering)

Accelerates career to senior technical or leadership positions.

• Cost: $0-40,000 with GI Bill
• ROI: Opens senior technical and management roles
• Top programs: Carnegie Mellon (cybersecurity), Georgia Tech, Johns Hopkins, SANS Technology Institute

Low Priority (Nice to Have)

Vendor-specific certifications (Cisco, Palo Alto, Microsoft, etc.)

Valuable for specific technical roles but not as broadly applicable.

Cloud certifications (AWS, Azure, GCP)

Growing importance as SIGINT and cyber operations move to cloud, but not immediately necessary.

Companies & Agencies Actively Hiring 35N Veterans (100+)

Federal Intelligence Agencies

1. National Security Agency (NSA)
2. US Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM)
3. Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA)
4. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
5. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)
6. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)
7. FBI (Cyber Division)
8. Department of Homeland Security
9. Secret Service (Cyber Investigations)
10. Treasury Department (Cyber Crimes)

Major Defense Contractors (SIGINT/Cyber)

11. Leidos
12. Booz Allen Hamilton
13. CACI International
14. BAE Systems
15. General Dynamics IT (GDIT)
16. Northrop Grumman
17. Raytheon Intelligence & Space
18. SAIC
19. Peraton
20. ManTech International
21. L3Harris Technologies
22. Parsons Corporation
23. KeyW Corporation
24. Amentum
25. PAE
26. Jacobs Engineering
27. KBR
28. Serco
29. DynCorp International
30. Intelligent Waves

Cybersecurity Companies

31. CrowdStrike
32. Mandiant (Google Cloud)
33. Palo Alto Networks
34. FireEye
35. Fortinet
36. Check Point Software
37. Cisco Security
38. Splunk
39. Rapid7
40. Tenable

Tech Companies (Security)

41. Microsoft (Security Response)
42. Google (Security)
43. Amazon (AWS Security)
44. Apple (Security)
45. Meta/Facebook (Security)
46. Cisco (Talos Intelligence)
47. IBM Security
48. Oracle Security
49. VMware (Carbon Black)
50. Cloudflare

Defense & Aerospace

51. Lockheed Martin
52. Boeing Defense
53. General Dynamics
54. Raytheon Technologies
55. L3Harris
56. BAE Systems
57. Northrop Grumman Mission Systems
58. Kratos Defense
59. Mercury Systems
60. CACI

Financial Services (Cybersecurity)

61. JPMorgan Chase (Cyber Defense)
62. Goldman Sachs (Cybersecurity)
63. Bank of America (Security)
64. Citigroup (Cyber Intelligence)
65. Wells Fargo (Cyber Defense)
66. Morgan Stanley (Security)
67. Capital One (Cyber)
68. Charles Schwab (Security)
69. Fidelity (Cybersecurity)
70. American Express (Cyber)

Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs)

71. Secureworks
72. Arctic Wolf
73. CrowdStrike Services
74. IBM Security Services
75. Trustwave
76. NTT Security
77. Verizon Security Services
78. AT&T Cybersecurity
79. Accenture Security
80. Deloitte Cyber

Critical Infrastructure & Energy

81. Duke Energy (Cybersecurity)
82. NextEra Energy (Security)
83. Dominion Energy (Cyber)
84. Pacific Gas & Electric (Security)
85. Southern Company (Cyber)

Healthcare (Cybersecurity)

86. UnitedHealth Group (Optum Security)
87. CVS Health (Cybersecurity)
88. Anthem (Security)
89. Humana (Cyber)
90. Kaiser Permanente (Security)

Consulting Firms (Cyber Practices)

91. Deloitte (Cyber Risk)
92. PwC (Cybersecurity)
93. EY (Cybersecurity)
94. KPMG (Cyber)
95. Accenture (Security)
96. Booz Allen Hamilton (Cyber)

Additional Government

97. Department of Energy (Cyber)
98. Department of State (IT Security)
99. CISA (Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency)
100. US Space Force (Cyber Operations)

Salary Expectations & Geographic Considerations

By Experience Level

Entry-Level (0-3 years post-military):

• NSA: $97,000-$137,000 (with Fort Meade locality)
• Defense Contractors: $90,000-$115,000
• Cybersecurity (non-cleared): $75,000-$95,000
• Cybersecurity (cleared): $90,000-$110,000

Mid-Career (3-7 years):

• NSA: $137,000-$189,000
• Defense Contractors: $115,000-$150,000
• Cybersecurity: $95,000-$145,000

Senior-Level (7-12+ years):

• NSA: $189,000-$260,000+
• Defense Contractors: $150,000-$180,000
• Cybersecurity: $130,000-$170,000

Leadership/Expert Level:

• NSA Senior Technical: $200,000-$300,000+
• Principal Contractor: $180,000-$230,000+
• CISO/Security Director: $200,000-$400,000+

Top 10 Cities for 35N Careers

1. Fort Meade, Maryland (NSA Headquarters)

• NSA, USCYBERCOM, contractors
• Salary: $110,000-$200,000+

2. Washington DC/Northern Virginia

• Defense contractors, federal agencies
• Salary: $105,000-$190,000

3. San Antonio, Texas

• NSA Texas, cyber operations
• Salary: $85,000-$155,000

4. Augusta, Georgia

• NSA Georgia, USCYBERCOM components
• Salary: $85,000-$150,000

5. Colorado Springs, Colorado

• Space Force, USCYBERCOM
• Salary: $90,000-$160,000

6. Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

• NSA Hawaii, Pacific operations
• Salary: $95,000-$165,000

7. San Francisco Bay Area

• Tech companies, cybersecurity startups
• Salary: $110,000-$180,000

8. Seattle, Washington

• Microsoft, Amazon, tech companies
• Salary: $105,000-$175,000

9. Denver, Colorado

• Cybersecurity companies, defense contractors
• Salary: $95,000-$160,000

10. Tampa, Florida

• CENTCOM, SOCOM contractors
• Salary: $90,000-$155,000

Transition Timeline & Action Plan

18-24 Months Before Separation:

• Apply to NSA (hiring takes 12-18 months)
• Start bachelor's degree if you don't have one (technical degree preferred)
• Get Security+ certification (required for contractors)
• Document clearance investigation date

12-18 Months Out:

• Apply to defense contractors on ClearanceJobs.com (30+ positions)
• Research cybersecurity career path if interested
• Get Network+ or begin CISSP study
• Network with former 35Ns on LinkedIn

6-12 Months Out:

• Aggressive contractor applications
• Consider SkillBridge with NSA, contractor, or cybersecurity company
• Complete Security+ if not already done
• Prepare for polygraph if applying to NSA

3-6 Months Out:

• Finalize job offers and negotiations
• Prepare for relocation (most jobs at Fort Meade)
• Get additional certifications (CISSP, CEH if targeting cyber)

Action Items This Week:

1. Apply to NSA at NSA.gov/careers
2. Register on ClearanceJobs.com with "SIGINT" and "cyber" alerts
3. Get Security+ certification (or schedule exam)
4. Connect with 30+ former 35Ns on LinkedIn
5. Document your SIGINT experience for resume

Your 35N technical intelligence skills are in extremely high demand. NSA wants you. Defense contractors need you. Cybersecurity companies value your analytical skills. You've worked with some of the most sophisticated technical intelligence systems in the world. That's worth $100K-$180K+. Start early, maintain your clearance, get Security+, and target strategic opportunities. You've already proven you can do complex technical analysis under pressure—that's exactly what employers are paying six figures for.

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Ready to join NSA or transition to cybersecurity? Apply to NSA TODAY at NSA.gov/careers. Your technical intelligence expertise is needed—and the pay is excellent.