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Coast GuardRating ISEnlisted
IS: Intelligence Specialist to $100K+
Where a Coast Guard Intelligence Specialist fits in the civilian job market, what it pays, and how to get there.
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What the job is, in plain English
Collects and analyzes intelligence supporting maritime security, law enforcement, counter-drug and search-and-rescue missions.
Skills that transfer
- Intelligence analysis and reporting
- Law enforcement and maritime intelligence
- Briefing decision-makers
- Research and database tools
- Handling classified information
Matching civilian roles and pay
4 of 4 matched roles reach $100K+ for top earners nationally; the highest median here is Political Scientists at $142,080. Matches come from O*NET's crosswalk for IS (Intelligence Specialist).
| Civilian role | Median pay | 90th percentile | $100K+ potential |
|---|---|---|---|
| Information Security Analysts | $129,180 | $199,850 | Median already clears $100K |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $93,790 | $160,540 | Yes: top 10% earn $160,540+ |
| Political Scientists | $142,080 | $195,190 | Median already clears $100K |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $101,110 | $160,300 | Median already clears $100K |
Pay: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 national estimates, national annual wages (BLS OEWS). Your pay will vary with location, experience, clearance, education and employer. Some O*NET roles share a broader BLS pay group, which is noted under the role name.
Certifications worth a look
- CompTIA Security+
- GIAC GCTI
- Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)
- Esri ArcGIS certifications
Commonly pursued by people in this field; not an official list. Check what your branch will fund, and see the full list for your code, on DoD COOL (Coast Guard COOL: IS).
The clearance angle
Coast Guard IS members generally require TS/SCI, which is valuable for intelligence and homeland-security contractor roles. See what a security clearance is worth in 2026.
Next steps
Related job codes
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