Security and Investigation

Even though many types of crime have been on the decline in the United States for some time, the outlook for the security and investigation industry is generally good because there is still a strong demand for security and protective services. Public-sector budget cutting is curtailing the ability of many state and local police departments to control crime. Privatization of prisons has created more job opportunities for security and investigation workers. In addition, the ongoing battle against terrorism has increased the public's desire for security.

The research group IBISWorld estimated the U.S. security services industry to be valued at $47.7 billion in 2024. "The need for businesses, the government and other organizations to safeguard their workers and assets is what drives demand for the industry's services," according to IBISWorld. "Compared with other industries in the sector, security services are typically less vulnerable to economic downturns because security is still a top priority for many businesses, even when times are tough financially." As of October 2024, there were 11,317 security services businesses employing 859,000 people in the United States.

The cybersecurity sector is expected to continue growing. Worldwide revenue in the cybersecurity industry reached $75.82 billion in 2024, according to Grand View Research. Revenue is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 13.6 percent from 2025 to 2030. "Advances in artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and machine learning have led to increased adoption of web applications and mobile apps, subsequently creating more complex IT infrastructure that can be vulnerable to cyberattacks," according to Grand View Research. "To address potential security challenges, organizations are outsourcing security services to detect bugs and analyze the security landscape while efficiently responding to cyberattacks."

General interest in security will create many new jobs, with additional job openings due to turnover. Competition is expected to be strongest for the higher-paying positions that require more training. For part-time positions, police officers who seek work outside their regular duty hours are likely to have an advantage, provided their department allows moonlighting; employers value their higher level of training and the full police powers that they retain even while moonlighting. Industry leaders are concerned about the level of training that guards receive; not even half the states require all armed guards to be licensed. Guards also work with very little oversight.

In recent years, the armored car services sector has grown only modestly in terms of revenue and has actually seen slight decreases in the number of employees. This trend seems likely to continue, as various forms of credit and electronic payment are increasingly replacing cash for transactions.

The U.S. Department of Labor provides the following employment outlooks (from 2023 through 2033) by career for security and investigation workers:

Job opportunities for security guards and gambling surveillance officers are projected to grow 2 percent, which is, slower than the average for all occupations. Despite this prediction, about 162,400 openings for security guards and gambling surveillance officers are projected each year, on average, from 2023–33 due to high turnover in the field caused by low pay and demanding work conditions.

Employment of private detectives and investigators in all industries is projected to grow by 5 percent, which is about as fast as the average. "Continued lawsuits, fraud and other crimes, and interpersonal mistrust are expected to create demand for investigative services, according to the DOL. In addition, many opportunities will arise from computer crimes, such as identity theft and Internet scams. Many workers will be needed to do background checks, largely because of an increased need for caretakers for children and the elderly. The rapidly increasing amount of digital information about people has created many new opportunities for investigation but also has raised the required skill level of skill for investigators. Although the work is not as glamorous as portrayed by Hollywood—it can be stressful and often involves monitoring or contacting people outside of regular work hours—strong competition is expected for job openings, especially from people transitioning from careers in law enforcement and the military. Opportunities are likely to be best in entry-level positions in detective agencies. Investigators who specialize in digital forensic work do not need a license in some states that require licensing for other kinds of private investigators, but a license can still be an advantage because it allows for follow-up investigative work.

Across all industries, employment of security and fire alarm systems installers is projected to grow by 9 percent (much faster than average). Job-seekers with college training and certification in electronics, biometrics, and related fields will have an advantage in finding work.

Job opportunities for first-line supervisors of protective service workers (not otherwise classified) are expected to grow by 4 percent (about as fast as the average).

The DOL reports that the mean annual wage of workers in the security systems services industry was $63,410 in May 2023. The average for those who were employed in the investigation, guard, and armored car services sector was much lower ($41,450). The national average for all private sector workers was $63,098.

Women comprised 24.9 percent of security guards and gambling surveillance officers and 22.5 percent of first-line supervisors of security workers in 2023, according to the DOL. This is lower than their representation (47 percent) in the American workforce. Organizations such as Women in Security and Privacy, Women of Security, ASIS International (which has a Women in Security Community), and the Electronic Security Association (which offers scholarships for women in security) are making efforts to increase the number of women in the security and investigation sectors.