Tennessee ranks 42nd of 50 states and D.C. for detectives and criminal investigators pay, trailing top-paying Maryland ($125,630) by $52,830 — a 73% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $49,670 to $144,290 — a $94,620 spread, 10% tighter than the national $105,250 range.
Tennessee employs roughly 1.8% of all detectives and criminal investigators in the country (1,960 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $49,670 | $23.88 |
| 25th percentile | $59,020 | $28.38 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $72,800 | $35.00 |
| 75th percentile | $99,920 | $48.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $144,290 | $69.37 |
| Mean (average) | $83,560 | $40.17 |
How Tennessee Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee (current) | $72,800 | n/a |
| Maryland | $125,630 | +73% |
| California | $122,140 | +68% |
| Alaska | $121,140 | +66% |
| Washington | $116,450 | +60% |
| New Jersey | $113,830 | +56% |
| Hawaii | $112,100 | +54% |
| Massachusetts | $111,460 | +53% |
| Virginia | $110,220 | +51% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Tennessee
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $72,550 | 530 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $72,550 | 11,560 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $72,220 | 5,050 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $71,840 | 16,780 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers | $73,910 | 13,130 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $74,290 | 2,120 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Tennessee?
The mean detectives and criminal investigators salary in Tennessee is $83,560 per year. The median (middle) salary is $72,800 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Tennessee?
Entry-level detectives and criminal investigatorss (10th percentile) in Tennessee typically earn around $49,670 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $59,020 per year.
What is the highest Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Tennessee?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Tennessee make approximately $144,290 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $99,920 per year.
How does the Tennessee Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary compare to the national average?
The median detectives and criminal investigators salary in Tennessee is $72,800, which is -22% below national average of $93,580.