Private Detectives and Investigators Pay Range in Tennessee
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$33,930
- 25th Percentile — Junior$38,520
- 50th Percentile — Median$49,360
- 75th Percentile — Senior$99,170
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$101,030
Half of Private Detectives and Investigators in Tennessee earn more than $49,360. The top 10% make $101,030 or more, while entry-level workers start around $33,930.
Private Detectives and Investigators in Tennessee: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Tennessee ranks 12th of 49 states for Private Detectives and Investigators pay, at $63,810 per year (6.1% above the U.S. average of $60,150).
- 940 people work as Private Detectives and Investigators in Tennessee — 2.6% of all U.S. Private Detectives and Investigators jobs.
- Location quotient 1.26: Private Detectives and Investigators jobs are more concentrated in Tennessee than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $33,930; the top 10% earn over $101,030.
- Hourly equivalent: $30.68 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $88,260.
- Among public safety jobs in Tennessee, Detectives and Criminal Investigators pays the most ($87,790).
Private Detectives and Investigators Job Market in Tennessee
Key factors affecting compensation
Tennessee's key industries are Healthcare, Manufacturing, Tourism, and its job market is rated strong. Private Detectives and Investigators here earn $63,810 on average, placing the state 12th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a Tennessee salary of $63,810 is roughly equivalent to $72,511 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Connecticut ($66,560), Minnesota ($66,510), New Jersey ($66,160) are the closest alternatives for Private Detectives and Investigators weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Public Safety Jobs in Tennessee
Related career salary benchmarks
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators $87,790/yr Tennessee +37.6% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Police $79,340/yr Tennessee +24.3% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting $75,780/yr Tennessee +18.8% vs this role
- Police Officers $61,830/yr Tennessee 3.1% vs this role
- Firefighters $51,590/yr Tennessee 19.2% vs this role
- Correctional Officers and Jailers $51,420/yr Tennessee 19.4% vs this role
- Security Guards $38,500/yr Tennessee 39.7% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Tennessee?
The average Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Tennessee is $63,810 per year (median $49,360), which is 6.1% above the national average of $60,150.
How does Tennessee rank for Private Detectives and Investigators pay?
Tennessee ranks 12th out of 49 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($88,260/yr).
How much do entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators make in Tennessee?
The lowest-paid 10% of Private Detectives and Investigators in Tennessee earn about $33,930 per year and the 25th percentile is $38,520.
How much do Private Detectives and Investigators make per hour in Tennessee?
About $30.68 per hour, based on the $63,810 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Private Detectives and Investigators work in Tennessee?
BLS counts 940 Private Detectives and Investigators jobs in Tennessee (OEWS May 2025).
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