Individuals who complete a campus-based or online college degree program in database or information technology may be able to earn higher salaries if they obtain federal security clearance, new research suggests.

According to a recent survey from ClearanceJobs.com, technology professionals who held active security clearance from the government earned an average of 20 percent more than those who were not cleared. In addition, approximately two-thirds of respondents who held this certification reported that their earnings had increased over the past year.

The report suggests that the demand for these professionals is expected to increase, as researchers anticipate that the government will employ approximately 270,000 of similarly qualified individuals in the next few years.

Information technology experts who continue their education at campus-based or online schools may be able to move up the career ladder at government agencies or private companies, as highly qualified workers could receive additional clearance and earn more. For example, professionals who were cleared by a federal intelligence agency - such as the CIA, FBI or NSA - reported average salaries of $100,000 or higher, according to the survey.