Protective service · SOC 33-9021
Private detectives and investigators
BLS projects 39,500 jobs in 2025 to become 41,700 by 2035 — +5.5%, against +3.5% across all occupations.
+5.5%
projected change to 2035
About 2,200 more jobs
3,200
openings a year
8.1% of the occupation a year, counting people who retire or move on
$51,220
median annual pay
Usually entered with: high school diploma or equivalent
2025 to 2035
Employment at the start and end of the projection, in jobs.
- 2025 employment39,500
- 2035 projected41,700
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025–2035 projections.
Other protective service occupations
The largest occupations in the same group, by projected change to 2035.
- Security guards1,294,300+0.9%
- Police and sheriff's patrol officers693,200+3.5%
- Correctional officers and jailers397,800-7.4%
- Firefighters355,300+3.7%
- Lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers162,000+5.5%
- First-line supervisors of police and detectives160,200+3.3%
- Detectives and criminal investigators120,500+0.2%
- First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers101,600+3.7%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.