Space Force Intelligence Specialist

Also called: Space Force 5I0X1

Analyzes foreign space and counterspace capabilities, like satellites designed to attack other satellites.

A day in the life

These Guardians study other nations' launches and satellites, then brief operators on threats. The work mixes physics with intelligence analysis.

Pay over a career

Starting
$48k
Typical
$62k
High
$92k

Regular military compensation (RMC = base pay + housing and food allowances + their tax advantage) for typical E-1 to E-6 ranks, 2026 estimate. Cash in hand is lower early on because junior troops often live in free barracks and eat in dining halls. Enlistment bonuses can add thousands.

Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.

Training

High school diploma, about 0.5 years after high school. High school diploma, then intelligence training. Top Secret clearance. Free-college benefits: Tuition Assistance (up to $4,500/yr) while serving, the Post-9/11 GI Bill (36 months of tuition + housing stipend) afterward, and SkillBridge internships before separating.

Ways in: Military, On-the-job training. Training cost: Get paid while you train.

Majors to look at: Intelligence Studies, Physics, Political Science.

Outlook

Growing faster than average. Not in BLS projections. The Space Force (founded 2019, ~10,000 Guardians) is still growing and has more applicants than slots, so getting in is competitive.

Will it last? Our AI estimate

Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. AI analyzes launches and orbital behavior and drafts threat reports; fewer junior analysts needed.

Start now, in high school

Classes: Physics, World history, Computer science.

More Space Force, Space & Missile Operations careers

Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.