Employment Outlook

Careers in this cluster fall into the legal and the protective service occupational groups used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for occupational projections.

Legal

Overall employment in legal occupations is projected to grow 10 percent from 2021 to 2031, faster than the average for all occupations; this increase is expected to result in about 131,000 new jobs over the decade. In addition to new jobs from growth, opportunities arise from the need to replace workers who leave their occupations permanently. About 110,000 openings each year, on average, are projected to come from growth and replacement needs.

Protective Service

Overall employment in protective service occupations is projected to grow 2 percent from 2021 to 2031, slower than the average for all occupations; though slow, the increase is expected to result in about 72,600 new jobs over the decade. In addition to new jobs from growth, opportunities arise from the need to replace workers who leave their occupations permanently. About 421,500 openings each year, on average, are projected to come from growth and replacement needs.