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Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in Tennessee
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Private Detectives and Investigators make in Tennessee?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$49,360
Median Annual Salary
▲
+6.0% vs 2024
$63,810
Mean Salary
$49,360
Median Salary
$23.73
Hourly Rate
940 people work as Private Detectives and Investigators in Tennessee
Private Detectives and Investigators salary by percentile in Tennessee
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Private Detectives and Investigators in Tennessee earn a median salary of $49,360 per year ($4,113/month).
This is 4.9% below the national average of $51,911.
Tennessee ranks #26 out of 49 states for Private Detectives and Investigators pay.
Approximately 940 people work in this occupation across Tennessee.
Salaries increased by 6.0% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Private Detectives and Investigators
Gather, analyze, compile, and report information regarding individuals or organizations to clients, or detect occurrences of unlawful acts or infractions of rules in private establishment.
Top Skills
Active Listening
4.12
Speaking
4.0
Reading Comprehension
3.88
Critical Thinking
3.88
Complex Problem Solving
3.75
Key Knowledge Areas
English Language
4.21
Customer and Personal Service
4.16
Law and Government
4.02
Computers and Electronics
3.56
Administrative
3.55
Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree
(37.7% of workers)
Salary Range: Private Detectives and Investigators in Tennessee
Salaries for Private Detectives and Investigators in Tennessee range from $33,930 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $101,030 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $38,520 and $99,170.
Median $49,360
P10: $33,930P25: $38,520P75: $99,170P90: $101,030
10th
$33,930
25th
$38,520
Median
$49,360
75th
$99,170
90th
$101,030
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$33,930
$16.31
$2,827
25th Percentile
$38,520
$18.52
$3,210
Median (50th)
$49,360
$23.73
$4,113
75th Percentile
$99,170
$47.68
$8,264
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$101,030
$48.57
$8,419
Note: The mean (average) salary of $63,810 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
📊 How Does This Compare?
#26
Tennessee ranks #26 of 49 states
$51,911
National avg. for Private Detectives and Investigators
How much do Private Detectives and Investigators make in Tennessee?
The median annual salary for Private Detectives and Investigators in Tennessee is $49,360 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $63,810.
What is the salary range for a Private Detectives and Investigators in Tennessee?
Salaries for Private Detectives and Investigators in Tennessee range from $33,930 at the 10th percentile to $101,030 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $38,520 and $99,170.
What is the starting salary for a Private Detectives and Investigators in Tennessee?
Entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators positions in Tennessee typically start around $33,930 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $38,520 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Private Detectives and Investigators in Tennessee?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 940 people are employed as Private Detectives and Investigators in Tennessee.
What is the hourly rate for a Private Detectives and Investigators in Tennessee?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Private Detectives and Investigators in Tennessee is approximately $23.73 per hour.
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.
Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.
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