Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $74,600 a year ($35.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $158,060 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $93,790. Pay here is 3% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $77,090. There are 0.53 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.72). The average (mean) salary is $92,950, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,930 | $23.52 |
| 25th percentile | $56,710 | $27.26 |
| Median | $74,600 | $35.87 |
| 75th percentile | $136,120 | $65.44 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $158,060 | $75.99 |
| Average (mean) | $92,950 | $44.69 |
Half of detectives and criminal investigators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,216.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,108.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,869.23 |
| Weekly | $1,434.62 |
| Hourly | $35.87 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $74,600 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $158,060 | 240 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $84,660 | 60 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $78,920 | 280 |
| Knoxville, TN | $78,600 | 230 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $78,460 | 660 |
| Jackson, TN | $75,610 | 100 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $74,250 | 70 |
| Johnson City, TN | $74,020 | 60 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $72,800 | 80 |
| Savannah, GA | $72,460 | 170 |
| Albany, GA | $70,930 | 70 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $69,900 | 3,070 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $68,520 | 240 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $64,980 | 230 |
| Gainesville, GA | $62,520 | 80 |
| Hinesville, GA | $60,150 | 40 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $58,850 | 90 |
| Valdosta, GA | $55,520 | 50 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $50,080 | 170 |
Highest-paying states for detectives and criminal investigators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $160,760 |
| Maryland | $126,730 |
| California | $124,840 |
| Delaware | $122,050 |
| New Jersey | $116,300 |
| Washington | $115,790 |
| Alaska | $114,940 |
| Hawaii | $113,940 |
| Virginia | $112,760 |
| Massachusetts | $110,150 |
See Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $51,330 | $24.68 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $49,430 | $23.76 |
| Security Guard | $35,650 | $17.14 |
| Firefighter | $46,060 | $22.15 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $74,860 | $35.99 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $100,340 | $48.24 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $77,920 | $37.46 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,090 | $13.51 |
| School Bus Monitor | $28,180 | $13.55 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $64,980 | $31.24 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-3021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a detectives and criminal investigators make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $74,600 a year, or $35.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $158,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $158,060 a year. The top 25% earn $136,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,930 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $56,710 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 140 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.