Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Nashville, TN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN

Median annual salary $75,420 -19.4% vs national
Median hourly $36.26
10th percentile $59,950
90th percentile $149,980
Employed locally 640
National median $93,580

Compare Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary & buying power

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Detectives and Criminal Investigators
in
Nashville, TN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $59,950
    25th
    $67,560
    50th (median)
    $75,420
    75th
    $101,110
    90th
    $149,980

    Nashville economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $82,499 2023 • Census ACS
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary vs area income 91% Median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary is 9% below 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
    Jackson, TN $74,680
    Johnson City, TN $74,600
    Chattanooga, TN-GA $70,520
    Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA $70,520

    Related occupations in Nashville, TN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards$37,730
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$66,210
    Correctional Officers and Jailers$51,010
    Firefighters$47,960
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$91,110
    First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers$43,070

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Nashville, TN is $36.26, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $71.77 or more per hour.

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

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Nashville, TN is 19.4% 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 Nashville?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $59,950 per year in Nashville, TN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $67,560.