How much does a transportation security screener make?
The median transportation security screener in the United States earns $66,770 per year, about $32.10 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all transportation security screeners earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 33-9093.
Transportation security screener salary range
Pay for transportation security screeners spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $44,700 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $78,350. The average (mean) wage is $64,310, close to the median.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $44,700 | $21.49 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $57,050 | $27.43 | |
| Median (50th) | $66,770 | $32.10 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $72,820 | $35.01 | |
| 90th percentile | $78,350 | $37.67 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for transportation security screeners (SOC 33-9093), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Transportation security screener salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Transportation security screeners earn the most in New Hampshire at $76,130 a year, and the least in Missouri at $51,210. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Hawaii | $70,160 | 1,010 |
| Virginia | $69,910 | 1,870 |
| Texas | $68,640 | 4,300 |
| Michigan | $67,390 | 1,070 |
| Pennsylvania | $67,330 | 1,460 |
| Minnesota | $67,290 | 740 |
| Georgia | $66,770 | 1,850 |
| Ohio | $65,870 | 690 |
| Vermont | $65,460 | 80 |
| North Carolina | $64,540 | 1,300 |
| Nevada | $64,500 | 1,350 |
| Arizona | $64,330 | 1,380 |
| New Mexico | $63,810 | 200 |
| Alabama | $63,770 | 260 |
| Florida | $63,130 | 6,920 |
| Idaho | $63,130 | 250 |
| Kansas | $63,130 | 120 |
| Kentucky | $63,130 | 510 |
| Louisiana | $63,130 | 460 |
| Maine | $63,130 | 160 |
| Mississippi | $63,130 | 170 |
| South Carolina | $63,130 | 480 |
| West Virginia | $63,130 | 90 |
| Wisconsin | $63,130 | 540 |
| Nebraska | $61,710 | 290 |
| Indiana | $61,670 | 460 |
| Iowa | $61,590 | 220 |
| Arkansas | $61,110 | 190 |
| Tennessee | $61,110 | 840 |
| Utah | $61,110 | 510 |
| Wyoming | $61,110 | 90 |
| South Dakota | $55,530 | 60 |
| North Dakota | $54,950 | 170 |
| Montana | $54,770 | 330 |
| Missouri | $51,210 | 930 |
State median wages for transportation security screeners (SOC 33-9093), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for transportation security screeners
The BLS projects employment of transportation security screeners to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 4.2%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 53,500 jobs in 2025 moving toward 51,200 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 4,500 openings a year for transportation security screeners. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a transportation security screener
The typical entry-level education for transportation security screeners is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a transportation security screener earns
Employer, region, seniority, rank, and overtime shape take-home pay. Large departments, unions, and high cost areas raise the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (New Hampshire, $76,130) and the lowest (Missouri, $51,210) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 50,290 people work as transportation security screeners in the United States. At $66,770 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Transportation security screener salary FAQ
How much does a transportation security screener make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a transportation security screener is $32.10. The middle half of transportation security screeners earn between $27.43 and $35.01 per hour.
What is the highest transportation security screener salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of transportation security screeners earn more than $78,350 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a transportation security screener make a year?
The median annual salary for a transportation security screener is $66,770. The average (mean) wage is $64,310, close to the median.
Is being a transportation security screener a well paid job?
At $66,770 a year, a transportation security screener earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 50,290 people work as transportation security screeners in the United States.
Which state pays transportation security screeners the most?
New Hampshire has the highest median salary for transportation security screeners at $76,130 a year. New Jersey ($74,400) and California ($73,610) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a transportation security screener a good career?
Employment of transportation security screeners is projected to shrink 4.2% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 4,500 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a transportation security screener?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for transportation security screeners as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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