Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Tennessee
Private Detectives and Investigators in Tennessee earn a median of $49,360 a year ($23.73 an hour), based on BLS data for 940 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,030 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $51,220. Tennessee ranks 26th of 49 states for private detectives and investigators pay. There are 0.29 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $63,810, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,930 | $16.31 |
| 25th percentile | $38,520 | $18.52 |
| Median | $49,360 | $23.73 |
| 75th percentile | $99,170 | $47.68 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $101,030 | $48.57 |
| Average (mean) | $63,810 | $30.68 |
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 | $4,113.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,056.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,898.46 |
| Weekly | $949.23 |
| Hourly | $23.73 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $49,360 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 cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $99,680 | 310 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $44,890 | 210 |
| Knoxville, TN | $43,150 | 70 |
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.
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $36,000 | $17.31 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,200 | $13.56 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $35,960 | $17.29 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $44,100 | $21.20 |
| School Bus Monitor | $27,250 | $13.10 |
| Animal Control Worker | $42,970 | $20.66 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $59,280 | $28.50 |
| Firefighter | $49,300 | $23.70 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $50,940 | $24.49 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $74,770 | $35.95 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $77,920 | $37.46 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $77,090 | $37.06 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $50,830 | $24.44 |
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 33-9021. 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 Tennessee?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in Tennessee is $49,360 a year, or $23.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,030 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in Tennessee earn at least $101,030 a year. The top 25% earn $99,170 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,930 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $38,520 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Tennessee?
About 940 private detectives and investigators are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.