Transportation Security Screeners Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for transportation security screeners in the U.S. is $66,770 ($32.10 per hour), according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 estimates.
- Median annual wage
- $66,770
- Mean annual wage
- $64,310
- Median hourly wage
- $32.10
- Employment
- 50,290
50,290 employed
Wage percentiles
| Percentile | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $44,700 | $21.49 |
| 25th percentile | $57,050 | $27.43 |
| Median (50th) | $66,770 | $32.10 |
| 75th percentile | $72,820 | $35.01 |
| 90th percentile | $78,350 | $37.67 |
Highest-paying states for transportation security screeners
| State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | $76,130 | 80 |
| New Jersey | $74,400 | 1,200 |
| California | $73,610 | 5,410 |
| Massachusetts | $73,510 | 1,380 |
| Maryland | $72,240 | 570 |
| New York | $72,010 | 4,240 |
| Colorado | $71,530 | 1,250 |
| Rhode Island | $71,510 | 160 |
| Alaska | $71,390 | 440 |
| Illinois | $70,570 | 1,970 |
Lowest-paying states
- Missouri: $51,210 median annual wage
- Montana: $54,770 median annual wage
- North Dakota: $54,950 median annual wage
- South Dakota: $55,530 median annual wage
- Wyoming: $61,110 median annual wage
About this occupation
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 tasks
- Confiscate dangerous items and hazardous materials found in opened bags and turn them over to airlines for disposal.
- Challenge suspicious people, requesting their badges and asking what their business is in a particular areas.
- Monitor passenger flow through screening checkpoints to ensure order and efficiency.
- Watch for potentially dangerous persons whose pictures are posted at checkpoints.
- Follow those who breach security until police or other security personnel arrive to apprehend them.
- Direct passengers to areas where they can pick up their baggage after screening is complete.
Education of the current workforce — typical entry: High school diploma or equivalent
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Less than high school diploma | 2.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 25.8% |
| Some college, no degree | 28.7% |
| Associate's degree | 11.9% |
| Bachelor's degree | 23.3% |
| Master's degree | 7.1% |
| Doctoral or professional degree | 0.9% |
Occupation profile data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
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About this data
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- CareerOneStop Occupation Profiles — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 14, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.