H-1B at Defense Contractors (2026)
Defense contractors are major H-1B sponsors — but many roles require security clearances that US citizens receive preferentially. Understanding which roles are accessible to H-1B workers is key.
Security Clearances and H-1B
US security clearances (Secret, Top Secret, TS/SCI) require US citizenship for most levels — H-1B workers cannot obtain these clearances. However, many defense contractor positions are unclassified or require only lower-tier clearances (Public Trust, SECRET with some exceptions). H-1B workers are common at defense contractors in: software engineering (unclassified programs), data analytics, systems engineering (unclassified), supply chain, and business functions.
Top Defense H-1B Sponsors
Lockheed Martin, Raytheon Technologies (RTX), Northrop Grumman, Booz Allen Hamilton, SAIC, Leidos, General Dynamics IT, and L3Harris are among the largest defense H-1B sponsors. Their H-1B activity is concentrated in: Virginia/Maryland (DC area), California (aerospace), Texas (defense systems), and Colorado (space systems).
H-1B Prevailing Wages at Defense Contractors
Defense contractor H-1B wages reflect government contractor wage structures. Software engineers at Lockheed or Raytheon earn $110,000-$165,000 median LCA. Systems engineers earn $100,000-$145,000. Many positions are ITAR-controlled (Export Control) — ITAR compliance officers review H-1B workers before placement on ITAR-controlled programs, which may require additional approvals.
ITAR and Export Control for H-1B Workers
International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR) restrict access to certain defense technologies. H-1B workers are considered 'foreign persons' for ITAR purposes and require export licenses or established exemptions to access ITAR-controlled technical data. Employers must assess ITAR compliance before placing H-1B workers on covered programs. This creates an additional layer of hiring friction at some defense contractors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can H-1B workers get security clearances?
H-1B workers can obtain some clearances but not the most sensitive ones. Public Trust is available to H-1B holders. SECRET is theoretically available but rarely granted to non-citizens in practice. Top Secret and TS/SCI require US citizenship. H-1B workers are employable at defense contractors for unclassified work — which represents a significant portion of defense contracting activity.
Do defense contractors sponsor H-1B?
Yes. Major defense contractors (Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, Booz Allen Hamilton) are significant H-1B sponsors for roles that do not require classified clearances. Software engineering, data analytics, supply chain, and administrative roles at these companies are accessible to H-1B workers.
What is ITAR and how does it affect H-1B workers?
ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) controls the export of defense-related materials and technical data. H-1B workers are 'foreign persons' under ITAR, meaning they cannot access ITAR-controlled technical data without an export license or applicable license exception. Defense contractors must perform ITAR assessments before assigning H-1B workers to covered programs — this is a hiring consideration, not a blanket bar.
What prevailing wage level do defense contractor H-1B filings use?
Defense contractor H-1B petitions typically use Level II-III for most engineering and technical roles, consistent with national prevailing wages for those SOC codes. Booz Allen Hamilton and other consulting-adjacent defense firms file at Level II-IV depending on seniority. Some Virginia/Maryland H-1B wages are elevated by DOL's Washington DC MSA prevailing wage rates.