Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median of $78,920 a year ($37.94 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $149,280 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $93,790. Pay here is 2% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $77,090. There are 0.46 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.62). The average (mean) salary is $90,870, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,900 | $24.95 |
| 25th percentile | $61,210 | $29.43 |
| Median | $78,920 | $37.94 |
| 75th percentile | $119,430 | $57.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $149,280 | $71.77 |
| Average (mean) | $90,870 | $43.69 |
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 | $6,576.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,288.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,035.38 |
| Weekly | $1,517.69 |
| Hourly | $37.94 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $78,920 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $84,660 | 60 |
| Knoxville, TN | $78,600 | 230 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $78,460 | 660 |
| Jackson, TN | $75,610 | 100 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $74,600 | 140 |
| Johnson City, TN | $74,020 | 60 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $72,800 | 80 |
| Jackson, MS | $68,520 | 210 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $61,300 | 100 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $57,420 | 30 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $57,060 | 170 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $56,270 | 240 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $55,950 | 30 |
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $75,410 | $36.26 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $53,210 | $25.58 |
| Security Guard | $35,100 | $16.88 |
| Firefighter | $62,910 | $30.24 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $79,050 | $38.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $50,830 | $24.44 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $82,320 | $39.58 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $27,260 | $13.10 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $32,610 | $15.68 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $99,680 | $47.92 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $45,040 | $21.65 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $75,480 | $36.29 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| School Bus Monitor | $27,250 | $13.10 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $78,920 a year, or $37.94 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $149,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn at least $149,280 a year. The top 25% earn $119,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,900 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $61,210 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
About 280 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, not counting the self-employed.