Overview
SourcedConduct 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.
O*NET definition of Transportation Security Screeners (SOC 33-9093) · Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed.
Titles employers use
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership; U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database; GovJobs Wiki (editorial). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Requirements
Sourced- Education needed to enter
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
Education workers say the job requires
Share of surveyed workers in Transportation Security Screeners (SOC 33-9093) naming each level as required to be hired, 27 respondents, O*NET survey June 2009. Each employer sets its own minimum.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4); U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Academy and training
Sourced- SOC 33-9093
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job zone
- Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
Academy length, curriculum and paid-training policies are set by each employer and state; they are part of the employer collection stage.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Promotion ladder
EditorialFederal grade and step: federal grade × step (GS/FWS/agency bands: FAA ATC, TSA SV, VA nurse, LEO special rates). Typical structure for a tsa screening workforce; titles, steps and timing differ by employer.
- Transportation Security Officer (D band)
- Lead TSO (E band)
- Supervisory TSO (F band)
- Transportation Security Manager (G/H band)
Assignments and specialty tracks
Source: GovJobs Wiki (editorial).
Pay
SourcedMedian annual wage by employer type, national, May 2025. Federal includes the U.S. Postal Service; state and local include public schools and hospitals.
| Employer type | Workers | 10th pct. | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal | 45,490 | $47,530 | $61,110 | $67,200 | $73,610 | $78,670 |
| Local | 520 | $36,120 | $38,480 | $46,610 | $57,560 | $62,910 |
| All government | 46,020 | $47,530 | $61,110 | $67,200 | $73,320 | $78,540 |
| Private sector | 4,280 | $35,880 | $39,200 | $42,650 | $59,660 | $68,100 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Schedule
SourcedShare of surveyed workers in the occupation (O*NET work context, June 2009). Shift patterns and differentials depend on the employer.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Day-to-day work
Sourced- Inspect carry-on items, using x-ray viewing equipment, to determine whether items contain objects that warrant further investigation.4.9
- Search carry-on or checked baggage by hand when it is suspected to contain prohibited items such as weapons.4.8
- 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.4.7
- Test baggage for any explosive materials, using equipment such as explosive detection machines or chemical swab systems.4.7
- 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.4.7
- Notify supervisors or other appropriate personnel when security breaches occur.4.6
- Send checked baggage through automated screening machines, and set bags aside for searching or rescreening as indicated by equipment.4.6
- Decide whether baggage that triggers alarms should be searched or should be allowed to pass through.4.6
- Follow those who breach security until police or other security personnel arrive to apprehend them.4.6
- Inform other screeners when baggage should not be opened because it might contain explosives.4.5
The 10 most important of 24 core tasks for Transportation Security Screeners, ranked by importance (1–5) in the O*NET survey of June 2009.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Related jobs
DerivedExams and free practice tests
Sourced| Exam | Administered by | Used in | Type | Official page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TSA Transportation Security Officer Computer-Based Test (CBT) Computer-based test to evaluate image interpretation aptitude, offered to applicants who meet minimum qualifications; followed by a tentative job offer and airport assessment. | Transportation Security Administration (TSA) | Transportation Security Administration | written | Official page |
Each exam is checked against its administrator's official page. Employers choose which exam they use; confirm with the hiring agency.
Source: Exam administrators and hiring authorities (per record), Official exam administrator pages. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Free practice tests
TSA Transportation Security Officer Computer-Based Test (CBT)Practice for a named exam · free on Open Exam Prep
Source: Open Exam Prep, Open Exam Prep free practice tests. Data captured October 1, 2026. Each link was opened and its exam title checked on the date shown.
By state
SourcedMedian annual wage for Transportation Security Screeners (SOC 33-9093) in each state, all employers (BLS state estimates do not separate government from private). Highest first.
| State | Workers | 10th pct. | Median | 90th pct. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | 80 | $69,200 | $76,130 | $87,650 |
| New Jersey | 1,200 | $58,860 | $74,400 | $81,600 |
| California | 5,410 | $46,070 | $73,610 | $81,470 |
| Massachusetts | 1,380 | $62,030 | $73,510 | $83,740 |
| Maryland | 570 | $57,160 | $72,240 | $79,230 |
| New York | 4,240 | $42,630 | $72,010 | $79,210 |
| Colorado | 1,250 | $58,530 | $71,530 | $78,690 |
| Rhode Island | 160 | $45,680 | $71,510 | $78,440 |
| Alaska | 440 | $54,180 | $71,390 | $87,510 |
| Illinois | 1,970 | $45,070 | $70,570 | $75,190 |
| Hawaii | 1,010 | $57,180 | $70,160 | $77,190 |
| Virginia | 1,870 | $46,130 | $69,910 | $76,900 |
| Texas | 4,300 | $46,510 | $68,640 | $77,520 |
| Michigan | 1,070 | $44,470 | $67,390 | $74,130 |
| Pennsylvania | 1,460 | $47,200 | $67,330 | $74,800 |
| Minnesota | 740 | $52,250 | $67,290 | $77,670 |
| Georgia | 1,850 | $42,640 | $66,770 | $71,070 |
| Ohio | 690 | $47,650 | $65,870 | $72,300 |
| Vermont | 80 | $53,560 | $65,460 | $72,010 |
| North Carolina | 1,300 | $44,840 | $64,540 | $70,780 |
| Nevada | 1,350 | $41,180 | $64,500 | $68,660 |
| Arizona | 1,380 | $41,080 | $64,330 | $72,450 |
| New Mexico | 200 | $42,560 | $63,810 | $67,930 |
| Alabama | 260 | $49,940 | $63,770 | $72,110 |
| Florida | 6,920 | $42,910 | $63,130 | $71,570 |
| Idaho | 250 | $45,640 | $63,130 | $67,200 |
| Kansas | 120 | $49,940 | $63,130 | $69,240 |
| Kentucky | 510 | $47,530 | $63,130 | $70,010 |
| Louisiana | 460 | $45,640 | $63,130 | $71,280 |
| Maine | 160 | $49,690 | $63,130 | $76,130 |
| Mississippi | 170 | $49,940 | $63,130 | $69,240 |
| South Carolina | 480 | $42,100 | $63,130 | $69,240 |
| Wisconsin | 540 | $30,100 | $63,130 | $70,280 |
| West Virginia | 90 | $54,950 | $63,130 | $71,280 |
| Nebraska | 290 | $46,090 | $61,710 | $67,890 |
| Indiana | 460 | $40,710 | $61,670 | $67,830 |
| Iowa | 220 | $45,640 | $61,590 | $69,240 |
| Arkansas | 190 | $45,640 | $61,110 | $69,240 |
| Tennessee | 840 | $47,920 | $61,110 | $69,240 |
| Utah | 510 | $50,210 | $61,110 | $71,280 |
| Wyoming | 90 | $45,640 | $61,110 | $73,880 |
| South Dakota | 60 | $45,640 | $55,530 | $69,240 |
| North Dakota | 170 | $47,920 | $54,950 | $69,240 |
| Montana | 330 | $40,090 | $54,770 | $69,450 |
| Missouri | 930 | $40,850 | $51,210 | $68,910 |
45 states with published estimates.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Not yet collected
These dimensions are part of every job page. We publish them only once they are sourced from official documents such as job postings, pay plans, union contracts and state standards.
- 03 Hiring processNot yet collectedThe steps in order and how long they take: application, written and physical tests, oral board, background check, polygraph, psychological and medical exams, eligibility list
- 05 ProbationNot yet collectedProbation length and what ends it
- 09 Benefits and pensionNot yet collectedPension plan and formula, retirement age and years, DROP, retiree health, Social Security coverage, 457(b) and PSLF eligibility
- 10 Union contractsNot yet collectedBargaining unit, union and the current contract, with its source and effective dates
- 11 Transfers and lateral entryNot yet collectedLateral entry policy, certification reciprocity, lateral bonuses and moves between agencies
- 15 Employer directoryNot yet collectedEvery public employer that hires this job, with its own pay and rules