Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Knoxville, TN
Private Detectives and Investigators in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $43,150 a year ($20.74 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,080 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $51,220. Pay here is 13% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $49,360. There are 0.17 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.73). The average (mean) salary is $45,790, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 25th percentile | $33,280 | $16.00 |
| Median | $43,150 | $20.74 |
| 75th percentile | $48,980 | $23.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,080 | $30.81 |
| Average (mean) | $45,790 | $22.01 |
Half of private detectives and 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 | $3,595.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,797.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,659.62 |
| Weekly | $829.81 |
| Hourly | $20.74 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $43,150 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Private Detectives and Investigators salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $99,680 | 310 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $44,890 | 210 |
Highest-paying states for private detectives and investigators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $76,480 |
| Connecticut | $75,010 |
| District of Columbia | $72,720 |
| Vermont | $67,910 |
| New Hampshire | $65,370 |
| Washington | $64,080 |
| California | $61,250 |
| Arizona | $61,030 |
| Illinois | $60,210 |
| New York | $59,140 |
See Private Detectives and Investigators pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $35,810 | $17.22 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $35,310 | $16.98 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $26,920 | $12.94 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $45,620 | $21.93 |
| School Bus Monitor | $26,680 | $12.83 |
| Animal Control Worker | $39,720 | $19.10 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $56,380 | $27.11 |
| Firefighter | $47,160 | $22.67 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $52,040 | $25.02 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $60,800 | $29.23 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $74,980 | $36.05 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $78,600 | $37.79 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $48,710 | $23.42 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, TN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-9021. 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 private detectives and investigators make in Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $43,150 a year, or $20.74 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,080 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $64,080 a year. The top 25% earn $48,980 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,200 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $33,280 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Knoxville, TN?
About 70 private detectives and investigators are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.