Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Private Detectives and Investigators in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median of $99,680 a year ($47.92 an hour), based on BLS data for 310 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,030 for the top 10%. That is 95% higher than the national median of $51,220. Pay here is 102% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $49,360. There are 0.51 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $78,160, close to the median.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,450 | $18.00 |
| 25th percentile | $45,670 | $21.96 |
| Median | $99,680 | $47.92 |
| 75th percentile | $100,050 | $48.10 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $101,030 | $48.57 |
| Average (mean) | $78,160 | $37.58 |
Half of private detectives and investigators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,306.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,153.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,833.85 |
| Weekly | $1,916.92 |
| Hourly | $47.92 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $99,680 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Private Detectives and Investigators salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $47,960 | 100 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $46,380 | 40 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $44,890 | 210 |
| Knoxville, TN | $43,150 | 70 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $41,690 | 40 |
| Jackson, MS | $37,920 | 70 |
Highest-paying states for private detectives and investigators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $76,480 |
| Connecticut | $75,010 |
| District of Columbia | $72,720 |
| Vermont | $67,910 |
| New Hampshire | $65,370 |
| Washington | $64,080 |
| California | $61,250 |
| Arizona | $61,030 |
| Illinois | $60,210 |
| New York | $59,140 |
See Private Detectives and Investigators pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $35,100 | $16.88 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $27,260 | $13.10 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $32,610 | $15.68 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $45,040 | $21.65 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| School Bus Monitor | $27,250 | $13.10 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $41,930 | $20.16 |
| Animal Control Worker | $43,460 | $20.89 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $75,410 | $36.26 |
| Firefighter | $62,910 | $30.24 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $53,210 | $25.58 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $79,050 | $38.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $50,830 | $24.44 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $82,320 | $39.58 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-9021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a private detectives and investigators make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $99,680 a year, or $47.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,030 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn at least $101,030 a year. The top 25% earn $100,050 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,450 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $45,670 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
About 310 private detectives and investigators are employed in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, not counting the self-employed.