Salaripedia
English

How much does a detective and criminal investigator make in Chattanooga?

$74,600a year

Median yearly pay for detective and criminal investigators in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area. That is $35.87 an hour or $6,217 a month.

Hourly
$35.87
Vs. national median
-20%
Rank among cities
191 of 288
Jobs in the area
140
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $48,930Median: $74,600Highest 10%: $158,100
PercentileYearlyHourly
10th$48,930$23.52
25th$56,710$27.26
Median$74,600$35.87
75th$136,100$65.44
90th$158,100$75.99

Other cities in Tennessee

Median yearly pay for detective and criminal investigators.

Kingsport, TN$84,660
Memphis, TN$78,920
Knoxville, TN$78,600
Nashville, TN$78,460
Jackson, TN$75,610
Johnson City, TN$74,020
Clarksville, TN$72,800
Detective and Criminal Investigator salary in Tennessee Detective and Criminal Investigator salary in all states

Related jobs in Chattanooga

Same field, median yearly pay.

First-Line Supervisors of Security Worker$100,300
First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Worker$77,920
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detective$74,860
Transportation Security Screener$63,130
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer$51,330
Correctional Officer and Jailer$49,430
Firefighter$46,060
Security Guard$35,650
School Bus Monitor$28,180
Lifeguard$28,090
Salaries for every job in Chattanooga, TN

Frequently asked questions

How much does a detective and criminal investigator make an hour in Chattanooga?

The median hourly pay in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $35.87 ($74,600 a year).

Do detective and criminal investigators make more in Chattanooga than the national average?

No: $74,600 against $93,790 nationally, 20% less.

How does Chattanooga compare with the rest of Tennessee?

The median in Tennessee is $77,090, so Chattanooga pays 3% less.

Where does Chattanooga rank for detective and criminal investigator pay?

191 of 288 metro areas with data.

How much does a detective and criminal investigator make starting out in Chattanooga?

The lowest-paid 10% make $48,930 or less a year; the top 10% make $158,100 or more.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.