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Law & Government

Transportation Security Screeners

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 salary

$63,360

Typical range

$45k – $76k

Job outlook

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AI exposure

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Education

Typical entry: No degree required

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Typical progression

  1. Junior Transportation Security Screeners

    Entry / Junior

    $45,010

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Transportation Security Screeners

    Established

    $63,360

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Transportation Security Screeners

    Senior

    $69,650

Key skills

A typical 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.
  • 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.

Fields of study

Any field

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