Protective service
Transportation security screener
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
Growth to 2035
−4%
declining
Openings a year
4,500
Time to qualify*
1 month
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Transportation security screener
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Prior experience
- None
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Hazardous conditions
Exposure to disease
Transportation security screener: 12% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- 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.
Also called: Security Screener · Transportation Security Officer (TSO)
Outlook and AI
Transportation security screeners held 53,500 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 51,200 by 2035 (−4%, declining; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
- Transportation security screener vs. Security guard
- Transportation security screener vs. Transit and railroad police
- Transportation security screener vs. Flight attendant
- Transportation security screener vs. Baggage porters and bellhops
- Transportation security screener vs. Airfield operations specialist
- Transportation security screener vs. First-line supervisor of security workers
- Transportation security screener vs. Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks
- Transportation security screener vs. Police officer
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- Transportation security screener vs. Compliance officer