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

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

Median annual salary $47,790 -8.7% vs national
Median hourly $22.97
10th percentile $36,290
90th percentile $90,220
Employed locally 160
National median $52,370

Compare Private Detectives and 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 →
Private Detectives and Investigators
in
Memphis, TN-MS-AR
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,290
    25th
    $38,390
    50th (median)
    $47,790
    75th
    $59,910
    90th
    $90,220

    Memphis economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $64,743 2023 • Census ACS
    Private Detectives and Investigators salary vs area income 74% Median Private Detectives and Investigators salary is 26% 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
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $46,610
    Chattanooga, TN-GA $45,920

    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 Private Detectives and Investigators make per hour in Memphis?

    The median hourly wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Memphis, TN-MS-AR is $22.97, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $48.57 or more per hour.

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

    The median Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR is 8.7% 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 Memphis?

    Entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $36,290 per year in Memphis, TN-MS-AR. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $38,390.