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.
Transportation Security Screeners
SOC: 33-9093 O*NET: 33-9093.00
Median Salary
$63,360
per year
Job Growth
📉 -6%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
4.7
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
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.
What does a Transportation Security Screeners do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$45,010
10th percentile
Early Career
$52,210
25th percentile
Median
$63,360
50th percentile
Experienced
$69,990
75th percentile
Top Earners
$75,940
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$45,010
25th
$52,210
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$63,360
Mean: $61,840
75th
$69,990
90th
$75,940
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $30,930 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $52,210 and $69,990
- •Salary spread is 28.1% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 46,340 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:50,100
Top Industries
Support Activities for Transportation4.2%
Support Activities for Air Transportation4.1%
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services0.4%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-6%
Annual Openings:4,700
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)50,100
Current
2034 (Projected)47,100
-6%
-3,000
Employment Change
-6%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Transportation Security Screeners professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 47 locations
Florida
5,890 jobs$59,9502.00x
California
5,060 jobs$69,7200.93x
Texas
4,180 jobs$65,1201.00x
New York
3,220 jobs$70,4301.12x
Illinois
1,850 jobs$66,9301.01x
Georgia
1,740 jobs$63,3601.19x
Virginia
1,700 jobs$64,8501.39x
Arizona
1,460 jobs$61,0301.52x
New Jersey
1,440 jobs$70,4301.12x
Pennsylvania
1,420 jobs$61,9800.79x
Massachusetts
1,310 jobs$63,6901.20x
Nevada
1,290 jobs$61,1902.81x
North Carolina
1,250 jobs$61,9600.85x
Washington
1,160 jobs$65,9601.09x
Colorado
1,150 jobs$61,4401.33x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Monitoring
100%
#2
Speaking
94%
#3
Coordination
86%
#4
Social Perceptiveness
80%
#5
Critical Thinking
74%
#6
Active Listening
66%
#7
Judgment and Decision Making
60%
#8
Reading Comprehension
54%
#9
Service Orientation
46%
#10
Persuasion
40%
Skills Overview
Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
advanced4.7
94%
Coordination
intermediate4.3
86%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate4.0
80%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.7
74%
Active Listening
intermediate3.3
66%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.0
60%
Reading Comprehension
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Monitoring
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Speaking
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Coordination
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Service Orientation
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Persuasion
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Registered Nurses82%
5 shared skills
Athletes and Sports Competitors82%
5 shared skills
Nannies82%
5 shared skills
Concierges82%
5 shared skills
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers82%
5 shared skills
First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Coordination
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
Learn on the Job:
- →Active Listening
- →Judgment and Decision Making
- →Reading Comprehension
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Coordination
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Social Perceptiveness
- ★Critical Thinking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Transportation Security Screeners
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Slack
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechOracle Java
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechLinux
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Slack
Microsoft Outlook
Oracle Java
Microsoft Office software
Linux
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (16)Planning & Development (1)Management & Supervision (2)Operations & Execution (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)
1
Ask passengers to remove shoes and divest themselves of metal objects prior to walking through metal detectors.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
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.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development97% perform98%
3
Close entry areas following security breaches or reopen areas after receiving notification that the airport is secure.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Confiscate dangerous items and hazardous materials found in opened bags and turn them over to airlines for disposal.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Contact leads or supervisors to discuss objects of concern that are not on prohibited object lists.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Contact police directly in cases of urgent security issues, using phones or two-way radios.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision85% perform90%
7
Decide whether baggage that triggers alarms should be searched or should be allowed to pass through.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Direct passengers to areas where they can pick up their baggage after screening is complete.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision79% perform86%
9
Inform other screeners when baggage should not be opened because it might contain explosives.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Inform passengers of how to mail prohibited items to themselves, or confiscate these items.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Transportation Security Screeners
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Transportation Security Screeners professionals typically have a CRE Holland code and highly value support
CConventional
RRealistic
EEnterprising
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Transportation Security Screeners
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.63
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.48
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.44
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.44
Stress Tolerance
Very ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.41
Adaptability/Flexibility
Very ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level4.30
Complete Work Styles Profile
Integrity
4.6
Dependability
4.5
Self-Control
4.4
Attention to Detail
4.4
Stress Tolerance
4.4
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.3
Cooperation
4.3
Concern for Others
3.9
Social Orientation
3.6
Initiative
3.6
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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