Transportation Security Screeners
Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed
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.
Median pay: $66,770/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)
Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.
Job outlook: -6% projected growth, 2024–2034 — declining.
About 4,700 openings per year, on average, over the decade.
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.
• 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.
• 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.
• Decide whether baggage that triggers alarms should be searched or should be allowed to pass through.
What's the median pay for Transportation Security Screeners?
The median pay for Transportation Security Screeners is $66,770 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What's the job outlook for Transportation Security Screeners?
Employment for Transportation Security Screeners is projected to change -6% from 2024 to 2034 - declining.
What education is typically required for Transportation Security Screeners?
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
How many job openings are there each year for Transportation Security Screeners?
About 4,700 openings per year, on average, over the decade.