Investigation and Background Checking NAICS 561611

Jan 30, 2026 - Industry Wages Continue Growth Trend

• Wages in investigation, guard, and armored car services have risen sharply as employers compete for skilled workers amid growing demand for private security and investigative expertise. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, average hourly pay for nonsupervisory employees in the industry reached $24.26 per hour in November 2025, a 6% increase from a year earlier and 79% higher than a decade ago. The investigation segment has been particularly affected by rising corporate needs for fraud detection, background checks, cybersecurity analysis, and compliance reviews, driven by increasing data breaches and regulatory pressures. Many employers are also contending with shortages of qualified investigators, especially those with law enforcement, legal, or technical backgrounds, which has intensified competition and pushed wages higher. Inflation and broader wage pressures have added momentum, but demand-side factors remain the main driver.
• US Senators Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut are leading the Background Check Expansion Act, federal legislation to require background checks on all gun sales, including those by private sellers and online transactions, closing loopholes in existing law. The bill was reintroduced with support from dozens of Democratic senators and has a companion measure in the House. It would extend the current system - which now only mandates checks for sales by licensed dealers - to cover nearly all firearm transfers, with limited exceptions. Proponents argue this “universal background check” approach is strongly supported by most Americans and would reduce gun violence by keeping firearms from prohibited purchasers. The effort builds on previous Murphy-led campaigns and broader gun safety advocacy in Congress, though it still faces political hurdles in a divided legislature.

• Technology is reshaping the private investigation industry, making modern PIs more efficient and credible. AI and machine learning now power complex data analysis, from fraud detection to facial recognition, while open-source intelligence tools help investigators legally gather and verify vast amounts of online information. Surveillance has gone high-tech as drones provide discreet, high-quality footage from hard-to-reach places. Professional credibility is also getting a boost through smart digital badges featuring QR codes, NFC chips, and anti-counterfeit designs. With more than 70% of evidence now digital, demand for digital forensics continues to surge, enabling recovery of deleted messages, hidden files, and cybercrime trails. Real-time GPS trackers, cloud-based case management systems, and stronger cybersecurity protocols further streamline operations and protect sensitive data.
• The cybersecurity workforce gap is widening, with 65% of organizations reporting unfilled roles, according to a new survey by the Information Systems Audit and Control Association. That shortage spans all levels, from junior analysts to senior experts, leaving teams struggling to cover essential functions. At the same time, 53% of companies say their cybersecurity budgets are underfunded, a slight improvement from 59% last year but still a major hurdle. The combination of too few people and tight budgets is forcing security teams to do more with less, often delaying projects and increasing the risk of missed threats. Many executives admitted that the lack of talent is already hurting their ability to monitor systems, respond to incidents, and adapt to fast-evolving risks. With demand for cyber skills continuing to surge, the survey makes clear that the talent pipeline isn’t keeping pace. Unless the gap is closed, organizations will remain vulnerable despite robust technological investment.