Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in South Central Tennessee

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

Median annual salary $55,220 -41% vs national
Median hourly $26.55
10th percentile $44,340
90th percentile $90,200
Employed locally 100
National median $93,580

Compare Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary & buying power

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

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Detectives and Criminal Investigators
in
South Central Tennessee
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $44,340
    25th
    $49,670
    50th (median)
    $55,220
    75th
    $61,900
    90th
    $90,200

    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 South Central Tennessee

    OccupationMedian salary
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $46,990
    Security Guards $35,960
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $51,490
    Firefighters $39,100
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $56,130
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $28,800

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in South Central Tennessee is $26.55, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $46.76 or more per hour.

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

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in South Central Tennessee is 41% 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 South Central Tennessee?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $44,340 per year in South Central Tennessee. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $49,670.