Tennessee Median
$77,090
per year
Hourly Rate
$37.06
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-18% vs US median
US median $93,790
State Rank
#38 of 51
1,860 employed here
How much do Detectives and Criminal Investigators make in Tennessee?
Detectives and Criminal Investigators working in Tennessee earn a median salary of $77,090 per year, or about $37.06 per hour. That is 18% below the national median of $93,790 for this occupation.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $49,660 while the top 10% make $149,280 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $60,730 and $107,810 a year.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,660 | $23.88 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $60,730 | $29.20 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $77,090 | $37.06 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $107,810 | $51.83 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $149,280 | $71.77 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 38th out of 51 states and territories for Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in other states
District of Columbia $160,760Maryland $126,730California $124,840Delaware $122,050New Jersey $116,300Washington $115,790Alaska $114,940Hawaii $113,940Virginia $112,760Massachusetts $110,150Oregon $107,450Vermont $106,330Colorado $105,480Arizona $102,340New York $101,240Nebraska $100,530Pennsylvania $97,580Connecticut $95,240Nevada $94,470Montana $92,410West Virginia $92,410Illinois $91,190Wisconsin $91,040Michigan $90,650Texas $90,510New Hampshire $89,290Rhode Island $88,450Maine $88,310New Mexico $86,840North Dakota $82,290Wyoming $81,880Oklahoma $80,430Minnesota $80,000Iowa $79,560Ohio $79,300Utah $78,920South Dakota $77,730Florida $77,060Kansas $75,740Missouri $75,650Idaho $72,520Kentucky $71,670Indiana $70,340Alabama $66,290Georgia $65,430North Carolina $63,280South Carolina $62,760Louisiana $60,450Mississippi $58,640Arkansas $54,500
Working as Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Tennessee
Nationally, about 114,000 people work as Detectives and Criminal Investigators in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare Tennessee pay ($77,090) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Detectives and Criminal Investigators make in Tennessee?
The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Tennessee is $77,090 per year, or about $37.06 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $49,660 at the entry level to $149,280 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Detectives and Criminal Investigators about 18% less than the national median of $93,790. Tennessee ranks 38th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Detectives and Criminal Investigators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $77,090 a year. About 1,860 Detectives and Criminal Investigators are employed in Tennessee. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.