Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Tennessee

Detectives and Criminal Investigatorss in Tennessee have a median annual salary of $77,090, which works out to about $37.06 per hour, with a typical 25th–75th percentile range of $60,730 to $107,810, based on the latest BLS OEWS data.

33-3021 · Detectives and Criminal Investigators

Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay in Tennessee at a glance

Median annual salary

$77,090

Median hourly wage

$37.06/hr

Average annual salary

$87,790

Average hourly wage

$42.21/hr

25th percentile

$60,730

75th percentile

$107,810

10th percentile

$49,660

90th percentile

$149,280

People employed

1,860

Salary distribution

Reported wage points from the lowest to the highest paid detectives and criminal investigators roles in Tennessee.

10th percentile
$49,660
25th percentile
$60,730
Median percentile
$77,090
75th percentile
$107,810
90th percentile
$149,280

Tennessee vs U.S. salary

The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators roles in Tennessee is about 17.8% below the U.S. median of $93,790 for the same occupation.

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How much does a detectives and criminal investigators make in Tennessee?

Half of detectives and criminal investigators roles in Tennessee report earning more than $77,090 a year and half report earning less — that is the median. The mean (average) of $87,790 is pulled up or down by the highest and lowest earners, which is why the median is usually the better benchmark.

Salary range

A quarter of reported salaries fall below $60,730 and a quarter are above $107,810, so most detectives and criminal investigators pay sits between those two figures. These percentiles describe how pay is spread across all reported roles — they are not a direct measure of years of experience.

What can affect detectives and criminal investigators pay?

  • Years of experience and level of responsibility
  • Employer type and size
  • Specialization within the occupation
  • Certifications and licensing
  • Industry
  • Hours worked, shift patterns and overtime
  • The local labor market where the job is based

Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay in other states

Related jobs in Tennessee

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Methodology · Data sources

Salary figures are benchmarks and can vary by employer, experience, specialization, hours worked and other factors.