Employment Outlook

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

Government and Public Administration

As government is so large, nearly every career can fall into this group. Employment varies for many of the careers because laws limit the length and number of terms a person can stay in office. Important issues change with every new administration causing the number of jobs in any given area to fluctuate as well.

Military

The goal of the Armed Forces is to maintain a force sufficient to deter, fight, and overcome various threats or conflicts in multiple regions at the same time. Emerging conflicts and global events, however, could lead to changes in the size of the military branches. Consequently, the nation is expected to maintain adequate personnel in the Reserve, Army National Guard, and Air National Guard.

Protective Service

Overall employment in protective service occupations is projected to grow slower than the average for all occupations from 2024 to 2034. Despite limited employment growth, about 423,600 openings are projected each year, on average, in these occupations largely due to the need to replace workers who leave the occupations permanently.

Legal

Overall employment in legal occupations is projected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations from 2024 to 2034. About 83,800 openings are projected each year, on average, in these occupations due to employment growth and the need to replace workers who leave the occupations permanently.