Transportation Security Screener Salary in Washington, DC
Transportation Security Screeners in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $69,910 a year — 5% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $54,914 take-home, or $4,576 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median transportation security screener salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$6,550
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,334
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,014
- District of Columbia income tax$3,098
- Take-home pay$54,914
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 6.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Transportation Security Screener pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,230 | $25.11 | $42,179 | $3,515 |
| 25th percentile | $57,160 | $27.48 | $45,839 | $3,820 |
| Median (50th) | $69,910 | $33.61 | $54,914 | $4,576 |
| 75th percentile | $72,240 | $34.73 | $56,402 | $4,700 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,900 | $36.97 | $59,361 | $4,947 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $69,910 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median transportation security screener's $54,914 take-home pay has the buying power of $50,434 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Washington, DC has 1.3× the national concentration of transportation security screener jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for transportation security screeners, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #19 of 24 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dallas, TX | $68,640 | $57,118 | $55,406 |
| 2 | Detroit, MI | $69,640 | $55,113 | $54,949 |
| 3 | Boston, MA | $76,130 | $58,801 | $54,312 |
| 4 | Baltimore, MD | $72,240 | $56,583 | $54,153 |
| 5 | Las Vegas, NV | $64,500 | $54,006 | $53,890 |
| 6 | Austin, TX | $62,820 | $52,656 | $53,694 |
| 7 | Denver, CO | $71,530 | $56,712 | $53,613 |
| 8 | Riverside, CA | $73,610 | $56,981 | $53,532 |
| 19 | Washington, DC | $69,910 | $54,914 | $50,434 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 24 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a transportation security screener make in Washington, DC?
The median transportation security screener salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $69,910 a year, or about $33.61 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $57,160 and $72,240.
What is a transportation security screener’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $69,910 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $54,914 a year ($4,576 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,098 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a transportation security screener?
Pay here is 5% above the national median of $66,770. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $50,434 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #19 of 24 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a transportation security screener afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 43% of a median transportation security screener’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
- Detective and Criminal Investigator — $156,750
- First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives — $125,960
- First-Line Supervisor of Firefighting and Prevention Workers — $118,570
- First-Line Supervisor of Correctional Officers — $99,510
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $84,000
- First-Line Supervisor of Security Workers — $73,490
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $70,570
- Firefighter — $66,980
- Private Detective and Investigator — $62,300
- Protective Service Workers, All Other — $58,780
- First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other — $57,950
- Security Guard — $46,830