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Job outlook for deputy sheriff/investigators in the United States
Deputy sheriff/investigator job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected deputy sheriff/investigator job growth rate is 3% from 2018-2028.
About 20,600 new jobs for deputy sheriff/investigators are projected over the next decade.
Deputy sheriff/investigator salaries have increased 10% for deputy sheriff/investigators in the last 5 years.
There are over 75,154 deputy sheriff/investigators currently employed in the United States.
There are 6,256 active deputy sheriff/investigator job openings in the US.
The average deputy sheriff/investigator salary is $47,349.
Are deputy sheriff/investigator jobs in demand?
Deputy sheriff/investigator job and salary trends over time
Deputy sheriff/investigator jobs over time
Deputy sheriff/investigator job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 75,154 | 0.02% |
| 2020 | 73,971 | 0.02% |
| 2019 | 75,143 | 0.02% |
| 2018 | 74,697 | 0.02% |
| 2017 | 74,817 | 0.02% |
Average deputy sheriff/investigator salary over time
Deputy sheriff/investigator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $47,349 | $22.76 | +3.8% |
| 2024 | $45,622 | $21.93 | +2.9% |
| 2023 | $44,344 | $21.32 | +0.5% |
| 2022 | $44,105 | $21.20 | +2.3% |
| 2021 | $43,116 | $20.73 | +2.3% |
Deputy sheriff/investigator jobs by state
Most common states for deputy sheriff/investigators
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 76 | 11% |
| 2 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 228 | 3% |
| 3 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 147 | 2% |
| 4 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 146 | 2% |
| 5 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 104 | 2% |
| 6 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 29 | 2% |
| 7 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 29 | 2% |
| 8 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 22 | 2% |
| 9 | Delaware | 961,939 | 19 | 2% |
| 10 | California | 39,536,653 | 357 | 1% |
| 11 | New York | 19,849,399 | 165 | 1% |
| 12 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 97 | 1% |
| 13 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 83 | 1% |
| 14 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 53 | 1% |
| 15 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 47 | 1% |
| 16 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 33 | 1% |
| 17 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 24 | 1% |
| 18 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 18 | 1% |
| 19 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 16 | 1% |
| 20 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 5 | 1% |
Deputy Sheriff/Investigator job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of deputy sheriff/investigator experts
Pennsylvania State University - Beaver
NALI - National Association of Legal Investigators
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Deputy Sheriff/Investigators to find work opportunities?
Jodi Gill: Our field is not dependent on geography, and there are needs everywhere! Right now, it is an exciting time as governments are exploring additional ways to address issues beyond law enforcement. For example, restorative justice, mediation, and other community-related programs can proactively prevent crime before it happens. A degree in criminal justice can prepare graduates to contribute to these initiatives in significant ways successfully.
John Lajoie CLI
National Director, President of Lajoie Investigations, Inc, of MANALI - National Association of Legal Investigators
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Deputy Sheriff/Investigators in the next 3-5 years?
John Lajoie CLI: Remote computer applications; cybersecurity; cell phone applications that do just about anything work-related and track locations; and advances in hardware and wireless applications. Any technology that will help employers and employees become faster and better communicating and selling will be significant. The biggest will be in the social media arena, as working from home creates a void for in-person social interaction. So the next best thing to many is electronic social media.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Deputy Sheriff/Investigators?
John Lajoie CLI: Regardless of bleak employment numbers during this horrific pandemic, legal investigators and private detectives' outlook remains hopeful and optimistic for growth through 2030. The onset of COVID 19 and accompanying state and federal guidelines have produced new protocols for all employers, including detective agencies, to operate safely and effectively. Civil pursuits, accidents, incidents, fraud, and criminal enterprise will continue; therefore, the need for legal investigation services will remain in demand.
Those investigators who have positioned their agency to adhere to recommended guidelines and safety protocols, and adapt to the changing technologies, will survive and likely thrive. Those that don't, will have a challenging experience and may not last. For employers, now is time to review business plans and operational and administrative policies, reinvent the business, look for unique training arenas, establish new revenue streams, and markets. Graduates entering the workforce today will experience a new way of searching for, interviewing, and landing a new job. Be prepared. And make sure you do your research on the company you are targeting for a job.