Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chattanooga, TN-GA

Median annual salary $70,520 -24.6% vs national
Median hourly $33.90
10th percentile $51,170
90th percentile $155,110
Employed locally 130
National median $93,580

Compare Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary & buying power

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Detectives and Criminal Investigators
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Chattanooga, TN-GA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $51,170
    25th
    $56,950
    50th (median)
    $70,520
    75th
    $133,560
    90th
    $155,110

    Chattanooga economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $68,666 2023 • Census ACS
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary vs area income 103% Median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary is 3% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Detectives and Criminal Investigators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV $157,270
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $156,890
    Brunswick-St. Simons, GA $155,110
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $153,340
    Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA $143,250
    Salinas, CA $129,880

    Nearby metros — Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Memphis, TN-MS-AR $77,960
    Knoxville, TN $75,850
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $75,420
    Jackson, TN $74,680
    Johnson City, TN $74,600
    Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA $70,520

    Related occupations in Chattanooga, TN-GA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $35,550
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $49,150
    Firefighters $45,560
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $49,140
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $74,040
    First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers $77,060

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Detectives and Criminal Investigators make per hour in Chattanooga?

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Chattanooga, TN-GA is $33.90, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $75.99 or more per hour.

    Is Chattanooga above or below average for Detectives and Criminal Investigators salaries?

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA is 24.6% below the national median of $93,580. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Chattanooga?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $51,170 per year in Chattanooga, TN-GA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $56,950.