Booming market for security-cleared employees.

Workers with U.S. security clearances are in high demand, and a backlog in security clearance processing is making them even more valuable.

Correspondingly, Internet-based job boards, which are tailored specifically for security cleared-candidates, are booming. Posted jobs range from electricians to network engineers and program managers. Positions are located at every country with a U.S. military presence, including the war zones of Iraq and Afghanistan.

It can take up to two years for an individual to receive a security clearance. The number of candidates awaiting clearances was recently recorded at more than 400,000. Responsibility for clearance investigations recently has been handed from the Defense Security Service to the Office of Personnel Management in an effort to reduce this backlog.

Rachel Staras, co-founder of ClearanceJobs.com, said the number of active job postings is up more than 200 percent from last year.

Although information technology positions dominate the openings, she said companies would seek a greater variety of skills, including logistics professionals, linguists and subject matter experts.

"New Department of Defense contracts are being won by information technology, engineering, and security and defense firms on a weekly basis," Staras noted. "The vast majority of these jobs require candidates to have a clearance already in place."

She added that defense industry continues to create new jobs with increased salaries and is experiencing fewer outplacements than most other labor markets.