Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Tennessee
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Tennessee earn a median of $77,090 a year ($37.06 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,860 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $149,280 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $93,790. Tennessee ranks 38th of 51 states for detectives and criminal investigators pay. There are 0.57 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.77). The average (mean) salary is $87,790, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,660 | $23.88 |
| 25th percentile | $60,730 | $29.20 |
| Median | $77,090 | $37.06 |
| 75th percentile | $107,810 | $51.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $149,280 | $71.77 |
| Average (mean) | $87,790 | $42.21 |
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 | $6,424.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,212.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,965 |
| Weekly | $1,482.50 |
| Hourly | $37.06 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $77,090 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 cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $74,600 | 140 |
| Johnson City, TN | $74,020 | 60 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $72,800 | 80 |
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.
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $59,280 | $28.50 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $50,940 | $24.49 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | $75,930 | $36.51 |
| Bailiff | $35,990 | $17.30 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $35,730 | $17.18 |
| Security Guard | $36,000 | $17.31 |
| Firefighter | $49,300 | $23.70 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $74,770 | $35.95 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,200 | $13.56 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $77,920 | $37.46 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $50,830 | $24.44 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $35,960 | $17.29 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $49,360 | $23.73 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $61,110 | $29.38 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in Tennessee is $77,090 a year, or $37.06 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $149,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in Tennessee earn at least $149,280 a year. The top 25% earn $107,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,660 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $60,730 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in Tennessee?
About 1,860 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.