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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 (BLS)

$66,770

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$45k – $78k

Job outlook

No separate BLS projection for this specific role

AI exposure

Plan a path to Transportation Security Screeners

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Education

Typical entry: No degree required

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How to qualify

EstimateLicense required

Cost to qualify

$200–$5,150

Time to qualify

1 yr

Renewal

—

  1. 1

    High school diploma or GED

    Course

    Expected by most employers; if you need the GED, test fees run $0–$150 depending on the state.

    $0–$150 · 3 months · varies by state source

  2. 2

    On-the-job training

    Experience

    Employer-provided and typically paid — days to a few months for most no-degree roles.

    Cost varies · 3 months source

  3. 3

    Bar exam / state licensure / academy

    License

    Lawyers: the state bar exam. Public-safety roles: a training academy plus state certification.

    $200–$5,000 · 6 months · varies by state source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Transportation Security Screeners" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Transportation Security Screeners

    Entry / Junior

    $44,700

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Transportation Security Screeners

    Established

    $66,770

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Transportation Security Screeners

    Senior

    $72,560

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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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.