Transportation Security Screeners
SOC code 33-9093 · O*NET-SOC 33-9093.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Legal and protective services
Transportation Security Screeners pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$66,770
a year
Hourly
$32.10
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$64,310
$30.92 per hour
Middle 50%
$57,050 – $72,820
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$44,700 – $78,350
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
50,290
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $44,700
- $21.49/hr
- 25th percentile
- $57,050
- $27.43/hr
- Median percentile
- $66,770
- $32.10/hr
- 75th percentile
- $72,820
- $35.01/hr
- 90th percentile
- $78,350
- $37.67/hr
What does a transportation security screener 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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Inspect carry-on items, using x-ray viewing equipment, to determine whether items contain objects that warrant further investigation.
- Search carry-on or checked baggage by hand when it is suspected to contain prohibited items such as weapons.
- View images of checked bags and cargo, using remote screening equipment, and alert baggage screeners or handlers to any possible problems.
- Check passengers' tickets to ensure that they are valid, and to determine whether passengers have designations that require special handling, such as providing photo identification.
- Test baggage for any explosive materials, using equipment such as explosive detection machines or chemical swab systems.
- Perform pat-down or hand-held wand searches of passengers who have triggered machine alarms, who are unable to pass through metal detectors, or who have been randomly identified for such searches.
- Notify supervisors or other appropriate personnel when security breaches occur.
- Send checked baggage through automated screening machines, and set bags aside for searching or rescreening as indicated by equipment.
How to become a transportation security screener
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 85% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)85%
- Some College Courses11%
- Less than a High School Diploma4%
Common questions
How much does a transportation security screener earn?
The national median is $66,770 a year. The full range runs from $44,700 at the 10th percentile to $78,350 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a transportation security screener without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Speaking3.4/5
- Monitoring3.4/5
- Active Listening3.3/5
- Critical Thinking3.3/5
- Reading Comprehension3.0/5
Knowledge areas
- Public Safety and Security3.8/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.6/5
- English Language3.6/5
- Law and Government2.7/5
- Education and Training2.7/5
Transferable strengths: Social Perceptiveness, Coordination, Judgment and Decision Making, Persuasion, Service Orientation.