Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Memphis, TN-MS-AR

Median annual salary $77,960 -16.7% vs national
Median hourly $37.48
10th percentile $48,220
90th percentile $146,490
Employed locally 280
National median $93,580

Compare Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Memphis, TN-MS-AR stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Detectives and Criminal Investigators
in
Memphis, TN-MS-AR
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $48,220
    25th
    $61,630
    50th (median)
    $77,960
    75th
    $117,040
    90th
    $146,490

    Memphis economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $64,743 2023 • Census ACS
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary vs area income 120% Median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary is 20% 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
    Knoxville, TN $75,850
    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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $35,250
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $72,760
    Firefighters $63,650
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $54,410
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $79,980
    First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers $50,900

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Memphis, TN-MS-AR is $37.48, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $71.77 or more per hour.

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

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR is 16.7% 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 Memphis?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $48,220 per year in Memphis, TN-MS-AR. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $61,630.