I worked for the US federal government for 30 years, and never had a clearance, but some agencies hand them out like candy and never revoke them. Employers who require them are just trying to save money. From the web site ClearanceJobs: “The average cost to process a TOP SECRET clearance is between $3,000 and about $15,000, depending upon individual factors. . . . The law requires that contractors pay most of the costs of obtaining clearances for their employees. Civilian companies who do classified work for the Dept. of Defense (DoD), or are involved with a national security related contract must bear the cost of security clearances for their employees, and clearance investigations can cost several thousands of dollars.”