Tennessee Median
$49,360
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.73
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-4% vs US median
US median $51,220
State Rank
#26 of 49
940 employed here
How much do Private Detectives and Investigators make in Tennessee?
Private Detectives and Investigators working in Tennessee earn a median salary of $49,360 per year, or about $23.73 per hour. That is 4% below the national median of $51,220 for this occupation.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $33,930 while the top 10% make $101,030 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $38,520 and $99,170 a year.
Private Detectives and Investigators salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,930 | $16.31 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $38,520 | $18.52 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $49,360 | $23.73 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $99,170 | $47.68 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $101,030 | $48.57 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 26th out of 49 states and territories for Private Detectives and Investigators pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Private Detectives and Investigators salary in other states
Oregon $76,480Connecticut $75,010District of Columbia $72,720Vermont $67,910New Hampshire $65,370Washington $64,080California $61,250Arizona $61,030Illinois $60,210New York $59,140Utah $57,910Minnesota $57,880Virginia $56,160Delaware $55,710New Jersey $54,710Rhode Island $54,620Wyoming $54,310Alaska $53,440North Carolina $52,890Texas $51,810Nebraska $51,750South Carolina $51,530Pennsylvania $51,200Florida $50,640Massachusetts $50,240Colorado $48,730Michigan $48,650Idaho $47,910Arkansas $47,750Kentucky $47,650Montana $47,430Ohio $47,200Alabama $46,810West Virginia $46,410Hawaii $45,750Kansas $45,260Georgia $45,060South Dakota $44,840North Dakota $44,310Maine $43,830Louisiana $41,950Wisconsin $41,850Indiana $41,830Missouri $41,600New Mexico $41,600Iowa $41,110Oklahoma $39,680Mississippi $39,060
Working as Private Detectives and Investigators in Tennessee
Nationally, about 36,000 people work as Private Detectives and 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 ($49,360) 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 Private Detectives and Investigators make in Tennessee?
The median Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Tennessee is $49,360 per year, or about $23.73 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $33,930 at the entry level to $101,030 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Private Detectives and Investigators about 4% less than the national median of $51,220. Tennessee ranks 26th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Private Detectives and Investigators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $49,360 a year. About 940 Private Detectives and 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 Private Detectives and 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.