Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Knoxville, TN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Knoxville, TN

Median annual salary $75,850 -18.9% vs national
Median hourly $36.47
10th percentile $57,240
90th percentile $150,800
Employed locally 230
National median $93,580

Compare Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary & buying power

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Detectives and Criminal Investigators
in
Knoxville, TN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $57,240
    25th
    $61,900
    50th (median)
    $75,850
    75th
    $121,500
    90th
    $150,800

    Knoxville economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $69,734 2023 • Census ACS
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary vs area income 109% Median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary is 9% 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
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $75,420
    Jackson, TN $74,680
    Johnson City, TN $74,600
    Chattanooga, TN-GA $70,520
    Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA $70,520

    Related occupations in Knoxville, TN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $35,960
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $60,460
    Firefighters $47,510
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $60,590
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $49,560
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $25,350

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Knoxville, TN is $36.47, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $75.88 or more per hour.

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

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Knoxville, TN is 18.9% 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 Knoxville?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $57,240 per year in Knoxville, TN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $61,900.