By: Kendall Upton
Updated: January 14, 2026
The most in-demand criminal justice careers for the next decade (2024 through 2034 data)
Anticipating what’s on the horizon for different job markets is critical for making informed decisions about which career you may want to pursue. While we can’t all pivot to exploding career fields—or outright abandon careers that are showing decline—it’s important to have a realistic understanding of how easy or difficult it may be to land certain jobs as time goes on. Combined with advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and a shifting economic landscape, knowing which careers are in high demand can help you weather these changes with more confidence.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) anticipates that the average employment growth across all occupations hovers around 3% through the next decade. Keeping this baseline statistic in mind, let’s dive into which five criminal justice careers are expected to grow the most through the next decade and why.
In this Article
5. Private detectives and investigators
Job growth through 2034: 6%
Although private detectives and investigators are a fairly small workforce, employment projections are strong with an expected increase of 6% through the next decade. Increased litigation, fraud and interpersonal mistrust are expected to create demand for investigative services according to the BLS. Plus, law enforcement agencies and individual civilians hire private detectives and investigators to run more extensive background checks when online checks alone are not sufficient.
In addition, many job openings will arise from the need to replace workers that retire or change careers.
4. Mental health and substance abuse social workers
Job growth through 2034: 9.7%
Of the types of social workers for which the BLS tracks employment data, they expect mental health and substance abuse social workers to grow the fastest. Although you may not think of social work as a criminal justice career, many social workers work for organizations that serve incarcerated individuals. Drug offenders in particular are often assigned to treatment programs (who often employ social workers) as a supplement or alternative to incarceration.
Social workers need either a bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work to obtain licensure, but those who want to work in correctional settings could benefit from double-majoring or getting a second degree in criminal justice.
3. Forensic science technicians
Job growth through 2034: 12.8%
Forensic science technicians collect and analyze evidence taken from crime scenes. As you can probably imagine, this encompasses many different job titles and specialties including ballistics experts, forensic fingerprint experts, crime lab technicians and more.
With an expected growth of 12.8% through the next decade, the outlook for forensic science professionals is quite strong. The BLS states that high caseloads and scientific advancements that increase the availability and reliability of forensic information are major factors contributing to this growth.
Although AI tools may speed up certain forensic processes that once took much longer, qualified professionals that know how to use these tools (and have the scientific expertise to interpret the data at hand) are still needed. Forensic science technicians typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in forensic science or a similar subject to break into the field.
2. Substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors
Job growth through 2034: 16.8%
Although counselors are not a criminal justice career by default, they are a part of the criminal justice system when working in or with correctional institutions. The overall employment of mental health counselors is expected to grow 16.8%, much faster than the average of all occupations.
Counselors that work with prisoners may develop addiction treatment plans for inmates, address anger issues for domestic violence offenders, counsel minors in juvenile correction settings and much more. Their goal is to help prisoners deal with the mental health issues that may have led to their crimes in the first place in an effort to reduce recidivism. Not many people have what it takes to dive into this emotionally intense career, but if you think you’re one of them, opportunity is out there.
1. Information security analysts
Job growth through 2034: 28.5%
Showing the most growth through the next decade by far are cyber security careers, specifically information security analysts. The BLS expects employment to grow a whopping 28.5%, much faster than the average across all occupations.
‘Information security analysts’ can include many different job titles within the cyber security industry, such as penetration testers, security auditors, vulnerability assessors, security specialists and more. No matter what they’re called, information security analysts design and implement digital security measures for their organizations. They research the latest best practices in cyber security and prepare detailed plans of action in the event of a security breach. They also ensure that security systems are well maintained and check regularly for vulnerabilities in the company’s computer and network systems.
In our rapidly evolving digital world, it’s no wonder that we need more skilled cyber security professionals to help keep information safe. Even though there are more cyber security professionals than ever before, there are still millions of unfilled roles available. Organizations are desperate to hire qualified professionals to help mitigate the financial repercussions caused by cyberattacks, which results in billions of dollars lost every year.
Most cyber security positions require at least a bachelor’s degree (or possibly a master’s if you’re switching from another career field). More schools are offering cyber security and digital forensics degrees to compensate for this workforce demand. To get started in this field, start searching for cyber security programs today.