Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in East Tennessee

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • East Tennessee nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $60,020 -35.9% vs national
Median hourly $28.86
10th percentile $43,610
90th percentile $126,800
Employed locally 100
National median $93,580

Compare Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how East Tennessee stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Detectives and Criminal Investigators
in
East Tennessee
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $43,610
    25th
    $50,080
    50th (median)
    $60,020
    75th
    $79,240
    90th
    $126,800

    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

    Related occupations in East Tennessee

    OccupationMedian salary
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $52,040
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $47,300
    Security Guards $35,360
    Firefighters $38,710
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $34,740
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $57,480

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in East Tennessee is $28.86, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $63.33 or more per hour.

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

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in East Tennessee is 35.9% 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 East Tennessee?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $43,610 per year in East Tennessee. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $50,080.