Transportation Security Screener Salary in Los Angeles, CA
Transportation Security Screeners in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area earn a median $73,610 a year — 10% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $56,981 take-home, or $4,748 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median transportation security screener salary in Los Angeles, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$7,364
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,564
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,067
- California income tax$2,677
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$957
- Take-home pay$56,981
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 8.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Transportation Security Screener pay by experience in Los Angeles, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,010 | $22.60 | $38,471 | $3,206 |
| 25th percentile | $71,240 | $34.25 | $55,534 | $4,628 |
| Median (50th) | $73,610 | $35.39 | $56,981 | $4,748 |
| 75th percentile | $78,350 | $37.67 | $59,874 | $4,989 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,720 | $38.81 | $61,290 | $5,107 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $73,610 buys in Los Angeles, CA
Prices in Los Angeles, CA are 13.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.70× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median transportation security screener's $56,981 take-home pay has the buying power of $50,174 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Los Angeles, CA 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
Los Angeles, CA ranks #1 of 3 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles, CA | $73,610 | $56,981 | $50,174 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $72,340 | $56,412 | $50,116 |
| 3 | Miami, FL | $65,080 | $54,472 | $47,717 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 3 metros →
About the job: transportation security screeners
Conduct screening of passengers, baggage, or cargo to ensure compliance with Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulations. May operate basic security equipment such as x-ray machines and hand wands at screening checkpoints.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -4.2% (declining)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a transportation security screener make in Los Angeles, CA?
The median transportation security screener salary in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area is $73,610 a year, or about $35.39 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $71,240 and $78,350.
What is a transportation security screener’s take-home pay in Los Angeles, CA?
On the median $73,610 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $56,981 a year ($4,748 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,634 in California taxes in 2026.
Is Los Angeles, CA a good place to work as a transportation security screener?
Pay here is 10% above the national median of $66,770. Local prices are 13.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $50,174 would in a typical U.S. city. Los Angeles, CA ranks #1 of 3 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a transportation security screener afford rent in Los Angeles, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Los Angeles, CA is $2,245 a month ($2,755 for two bedrooms) — 47% of a median transportation security screener’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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