Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chattanooga, TN-GA

Median annual salary $45,920 -12.3% vs national
Median hourly $22.08
10th percentile $36,410
90th percentile $118,680
Employed locally 60
National median $52,370

Compare Private Detectives and Investigators salary & buying power

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Private Detectives and Investigators
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Chattanooga, TN-GA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,410
    25th
    $39,660
    50th (median)
    $45,920
    75th
    $64,550
    90th
    $118,680

    Chattanooga economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $68,666 2023 • Census ACS
    Private Detectives and Investigators salary vs area income 67% Median Private Detectives and Investigators salary is 33% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Private Detectives and Investigators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Lexington Park, MD $80,060
    Salem, OR $79,550
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $79,110
    Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $77,680
    Oregon $77,320
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $76,730

    Nearby metros — Private Detectives and Investigators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Knoxville, TN $48,930
    Memphis, TN-MS-AR $47,790
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $46,610

    Related occupations in Chattanooga, TN-GA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $35,550
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $49,150
    Firefighters $45,560
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $49,140
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $74,040
    First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers $77,060

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Private Detectives and Investigators make per hour in Chattanooga?

    The median hourly wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Chattanooga, TN-GA is $22.08, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $57.06 or more per hour.

    Is Chattanooga above or below average for Private Detectives and Investigators salaries?

    The median Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA is 12.3% below the national median of $52,370. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Private Detectives and Investigators in Chattanooga?

    Entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $36,410 per year in Chattanooga, TN-GA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $39,660.