Private Detectives and Investigators pay in Tennessee
In Tennessee, the median pay for private detectives and investigators is $23.73 an hour ($49,360 a year). About 940 people work in this job there.
That is 4% lower than the U.S. median ($51,220). Tennessee ranks 26th of 49 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Tennessee
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $16.31 | $33,930 |
| 25% of workers | $18.52 | $38,520 |
| Half of workers (median) | $23.73 | $49,360 |
| 75% of workers | $47.68 | $99,170 |
| 90% of workers | $48.57 | $101,030 |
Private Detectives and Investigators pay in Tennessee metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis | $99,680 | 310 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | $44,890 | 210 |
| Knoxville | $43,150 | 70 |
Tennessee unemployment rate: 3.4% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for private detectives and investigators
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 2 to 4 years (O*NET)
- Experience usually needed to start: Less than 5 years (BLS)
- Training on the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +5.5% over ten years, faster than average · about 3,200 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $59,280 |
| Lawyers | $136,180 |
| Compliance Officers | $63,960 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $58,820 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $74,770 |
| Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs | $49,230 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $69,240 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $77,090 |
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.