Cryptologic Technician Collection

CTRs carry a TS/SCI clearance and hands-on experience with classified collection systems — two assets that open doors across the defense-intelligence industry immediately. The civilian SIGINT and electronic warfare sector is built around government contracts, and cleared professionals with operational collection experience are in constant demand.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024), the median annual wage for information security analysts is $124,910 (SOC 15-1212). Computer network architects earn a median of $130,390 (SOC 15-1241). These are the two broadest BLS categories that capture SIGINT-adjacent civilian work, though many CTR-specific roles — SIGINT analyst, collection manager, electronic warfare specialist — fall under "Computer Occupations, All Other" (SOC 15-1299) or are not tracked separately because they exist primarily within classified programs.

Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers earn a median of $64,310 (SOC 49-2022), which is relevant for CTRs interested in the RF hardware and antenna systems side of their training rather than the intelligence analysis path.

The defense-intelligence contractor market is where former CTRs command the highest salaries. Companies like NSA (as a civilian employee), Booz Allen Hamilton, CACI International, Leidos, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon (RTX) actively recruit cleared SIGINT professionals. Many of these positions pay well above BLS medians because the TS/SCI clearance and operational experience are prerequisites that cannot be trained in a classroom.

CTRs have strong alignment with federal career paths across the intelligence community, Department of Defense, and civilian agencies that need signals analysis, IT security, and technical collection expertise. The TS/SCI clearance and specialized training make CTRs competitive for positions that many civilian applicants cannot access.

Intelligence & Security Series

• GS-0132 Intelligence — The natural home for former CTRs in the federal system. NSA, DIA, NGA, and service intelligence centers hire into this series. Collection management, all-source analysis, and SIGINT reporting positions. GS-0132 resume guide.
• GS-0080 Security Administration — Information security, personnel security, and physical security positions. CTR experience with classified material handling and COMSEC procedures translates well. GS-0080 resume guide.
• GS-0086 Security Clerical & Assistance — Entry-level security administration support. Good stepping stone for junior CTRs.
• GS-0132 Intelligence (Technical) — Technical SIGINT and ELINT positions within NSA and service cryptologic elements.

Information Technology Series

• GS-2210 Information Technology Management — IT specialist positions including information security (INFOSEC), network services, and systems administration. CTRs who worked with collection system networks and data management have a direct path. GS-2210 resume guide.
• GS-0854 Computer Engineering — For CTRs with strong technical backgrounds in signal processing and system architecture. May require engineering degree for higher grades.
• GS-0856 Electronics Technician — Maintenance and operation of electronic systems. CTRs who maintained collection equipment and antenna systems fit this series. GS-0856 resume guide.
• GS-0391 Telecommunications — Telecommunications systems management and policy. CTR understanding of RF systems, signal propagation, and communications architecture is directly relevant.

Analysis & Management Series

• GS-0343 Management & Program Analysis — Program analysts and management analysts across all federal agencies. Senior CTRs with collection management and mission planning experience qualify. GS-0343 resume guide.
• GS-0340 Program Management — Program managers overseeing acquisition, IT, and intelligence programs. Mid-career CTRs with leadership experience. GS-0340 resume guide.
• GS-1515 Operations Research — Quantitative analysis positions. CTRs who performed signal analysis and pattern recognition have applicable skills.
• GS-1550 Computer Science — For CTRs who pursued technical education alongside their rating. Algorithm development, data processing, and systems design.

Technical & Specialist Series

• GS-0856 Electronics Technician — Collection system maintenance and antenna systems. Hands-on technical CTRs fit well here.
• GS-1101 General Business & Industry — Broad series covering contract oversight, business operations, and industry liaison roles. Useful for CTRs moving into program support. GS-1101 resume guide.
• GS-1102 Contracting — Acquisition and contract management. CTRs who worked with defense contractors on collection systems have relevant exposure. GS-1102 resume guide.
• GS-0301 Miscellaneous Administration — Catch-all series for administrative and analytical positions. Widely used across federal agencies for intelligence support roles.

Start your federal job search at USAJobs.gov and use the "Veterans" hiring path filter. Build your federal resume at BMR's federal resume builder — federal resumes follow different formatting rules than private sector. Veterans' Preference gives you 5 or 10 extra points on hiring assessments.

If you are applying to NSA, a defense contractor SIGINT program, or another intelligence community position, your CTR terminology translates directly. Recruiters in those spaces know what collection management means, what direction finding is, and what a SIGINT watch floor looks like. You do not need this section.

This section is for CTRs targeting careers outside of the intelligence community — project management, IT, cybersecurity, telecommunications, or general corporate roles where the hiring manager has never heard of SIGINT, ELINT, or electronic order of battle. The translations below reframe CTR experience for non-IC audiences.