It can also describe individuals hired by DOD—usually through private companies, which are also considered contractors in the previous context—to perform specific tasks. The term “contractor” does not refer to military servicemembers, civilian DOD career employees, or civilian political appointees.
Lockheed Martin Lockheed Martin reported more than $64 billion in defense revenue in 2023, making the company the largest U.S. government contractor.
Compensation: Overseas contractors typically earn competitive salaries, with averages ranging from $80,000 to $140,000 per year, along with allowances for Meals & Incidentals (M&IE) and potential tax benefits.
Take these steps to become a military contractor: Earn a high school diploma or GED. Consider earning a bachelor's degree. Enlist in the military or a security role. Create a bid that advocates your skills to the Department of Defense. Consider working for a private military contracting company.
Compensation: Overseas contractors typically earn competitive salaries, with averages ranging from $80,000 to $140,000 per year, along with allowances for Meals & Incidentals (M&IE) and potential tax benefits.
Take these steps to become a military contractor: Earn a high school diploma or GED. Consider earning a bachelor's degree. Enlist in the military or a security role. Create a bid that advocates your skills to the Department of Defense. Consider working for a private military contracting company.
In many cases, contractor personnel were once members of the active duty or civilian service. We must remember that these individuals are no longer government employees!
DOD employees work in offices, laboratories, shipyards, airfields, medical facilities and schools. They serve under different flags — Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force or defense agencies. Their common mission is “to deter war and protect the security of our nation.”
A government contractor is a private company that produces goods and services for public government agencies.
They might work on different projects. They can move between sectors and government agencies. It's aMoreThey might work on different projects. They can move between sectors and government agencies. It's a common misconception that contractors are federal employees.