Transportation Security Screener Salary
Transportation Security Screeners earn a median $66,770 a year nationally. Protective Service Occupations
What transportation security screeners do
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)
- Openings per year
- 4,500
Employment of transportation security screeners is projected to shrink 4.2% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 4,500 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Transportation Security Screener take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,859
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,140
- Medicare (1.45%)$968
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$55,803
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,700 | $21.49 | $38,096 |
| 25th percentile | $57,050 | $27.43 | $48,020 |
| Median (50th) | $66,770 | $32.10 | $55,803 |
| 75th percentile | $72,820 | $35.01 | $60,059 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,350 | $37.67 | $63,949 |
Best cities for transportation security screeners (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles, CA | $73,610 | $56,981 | $50,174 | 2,670 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $72,340 | $56,412 | $50,116 | 4,610 |
| 3 | Miami, FL | $65,080 | $54,472 | $47,717 | 3,250 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Los Angeles, CA — $73,610
- New York, NY — $72,340
- Miami, FL — $65,080
Transportation Security Screener salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | $76,130 | +5.4% | $62,387 | $69,200 – $87,650 | 80 |
| New Jersey | $74,400 | +5.6% | $58,608 | $58,860 – $81,600 | 1,200 |
| California | $73,610 | +5.6% | $56,981 | $46,070 – $81,470 | 5,410 |
| Massachusetts | $73,510 | +15.4% | $57,089 | $62,030 – $83,740 | 1,380 |
| Maryland | $72,240 | +5.6% | $56,583 | $57,160 – $79,230 | 570 |
| New York | $72,010 | +2.2% | $56,197 | $42,630 – $79,210 | 4,240 |
| Colorado | $71,530 | +16.4% | $56,712 | $58,530 – $78,690 | 1,250 |
| Rhode Island | $71,510 | +5.6% | $57,073 | $45,680 – $78,440 | 160 |
| Alaska | $71,390 | +5.4% | $59,053 | $54,180 – $87,510 | 440 |
| Illinois | $70,570 | +5.4% | $55,128 | $45,070 – $75,190 | 1,970 |
| Hawaii | $70,160 | +5.2% | $54,386 | $57,180 – $77,190 | 1,010 |
| Virginia | $69,910 | +7.8% | $54,806 | $46,130 – $76,900 | 1,870 |
| Texas | $68,640 | +5.4% | $57,118 | $46,510 – $77,520 | 4,300 |
| Michigan | $67,390 | +1.9% | $53,626 | $44,470 – $74,130 | 1,070 |
| Pennsylvania | $67,330 | +8.6% | $54,130 | $47,200 – $74,800 | 1,460 |
| Minnesota | $67,290 | +3.1% | $53,116 | $52,250 – $77,670 | 740 |
| Georgia | $66,770 | +5.4% | $52,960 | $42,640 – $71,070 | 1,850 |
| Ohio | $65,870 | +5.2% | $54,077 | $47,650 – $72,300 | 690 |
| Vermont | $65,460 | +19.2% | $52,917 | $53,560 – $72,010 | 80 |
| North Carolina | $64,540 | +4.2% | $51,971 | $44,840 – $70,780 | 1,300 |
| Nevada | $64,500 | +5.4% | $54,006 | $41,180 – $68,660 | 1,350 |
| Arizona | $64,330 | +5.4% | $52,470 | $41,080 – $72,450 | 1,380 |
| New Mexico | $63,810 | +5.3% | $51,618 | $42,560 – $67,930 | 200 |
| Alabama | $63,770 | +5.4% | $50,496 | $49,940 – $72,110 | 260 |
| Florida | $63,130 | +5.3% | $52,905 | $42,910 – $71,570 | 6,920 |
| Idaho | $63,130 | +5.3% | $50,667 | $45,640 – $67,200 | 250 |
| Kansas | $63,130 | +5.3% | $50,182 | $49,940 – $69,240 | 120 |
| Kentucky | $63,130 | +5.3% | $50,813 | $47,530 – $70,010 | 510 |
| Louisiana | $63,130 | +5.3% | $51,397 | $45,640 – $71,280 | 460 |
| Maine | $63,130 | +5.3% | $49,825 | $49,690 – $76,130 | 160 |
| Mississippi | $63,130 | +5.3% | $51,112 | $49,940 – $69,240 | 170 |
| South Carolina | $63,130 | +5.3% | $50,274 | $42,100 – $69,240 | 480 |
| West Virginia | $63,130 | +5.3% | $50,797 | $54,950 – $71,280 | 90 |
| Wisconsin | $63,130 | +5.3% | $50,908 | $30,100 – $70,280 | 540 |
| Nebraska | $61,710 | +2.9% | $49,836 | $46,090 – $67,890 | 290 |
| Indiana | $61,670 | +2.9% | $49,942 | $40,710 – $67,830 | 460 |
| Iowa | $61,590 | +2.7% | $49,979 | $45,640 – $69,240 | 220 |
| Arkansas | $61,110 | +1.9% | $49,111 | $45,640 – $69,240 | 190 |
| Tennessee | $61,110 | +1.9% | $51,282 | $47,920 – $69,240 | 840 |
| Utah | $61,110 | +1.9% | $49,498 | $50,210 – $71,280 | 510 |
| Wyoming | $61,110 | — | $51,282 | $45,640 – $73,880 | 90 |
| South Dakota | $55,530 | +13.3% | $46,798 | $45,640 – $69,240 | 60 |
| North Dakota | $54,950 | −8.3% | $46,332 | $47,920 – $69,240 | 170 |
| Montana | $54,770 | +11.8% | $44,370 | $40,090 – $69,450 | 330 |
| Missouri | $51,210 | −16.6% | $41,858 | $40,850 – $68,910 | 930 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $42,540 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.0% |
| Crossing Guard and Flagger | $38,100 | No formal educational credential | +3.5% |
| School Bus Monitor | $35,100 | High school diploma or equivalent | -1.9% |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $33,580 | No formal educational credential | +5.5% |
| Private Detective and Investigator | $51,220 | High school diploma or equivalent | +5.5% |
| Animal Control Worker | $45,660 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.0% |
| Gambling Surveillance Officer and Gambling Investigator | $43,370 | High school diploma or equivalent | -1.8% |
| Security Guard | $38,020 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.9% |
| Fish and Game Warden | $74,060 | Bachelor's degree | -5.7% |
| Firefighter | $59,280 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +3.7% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a transportation security screener make?
The national median salary for transportation security screeners is $66,770 a year ($32.10 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $44,700 and the top 10% earn over $78,350. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays transportation security screeners the most?
New Hampshire has the highest median pay at $76,130. After taxes and local prices, Los Angeles, CA offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many transportation security screeners are there in the U.S.?
About 50,290 people work as transportation security screeners nationwide.