What Does it Take to Be a Transportation Security Screener?
Transportation Security Screener Definition 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.
Daily Life Of a Transportation Security Screener
- Follow those who breach security until police or other security personnel arrive to apprehend them.
- Locate suspicious bags pictured in printouts sent from remote monitoring areas, and set these bags aside for inspection.
- 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.
- Decide whether baggage that triggers alarms should be searched or should be allowed to pass through.
- Confiscate dangerous items and hazardous materials found in opened bags and turn them over to airlines for disposal.
- 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.
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Things a Transportation Security Screener Should Know How to Do
Transportation Security Screeners state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Related Job Titles
- Airport Security Screener
- Security Screener
- Baggage Screener
- Transportation Security Officer (TSO)
- Screener
What Kind of Transportation Security Screener Job Opportunities Are There?
There were about 46,100 jobs for Transportation Security Screener in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 2.6% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 1,200 new jobs for Transportation Security Screener by 2026. The BLS estimates 4,200 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Transportation Security Screener are Nevada, Utah, and Nebraska. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, New Jersey, or West Virginia. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Do Transportation Security Screeners Make A Lot Of Money?
Transportation Security Screeners make between $34,650 and $49,200 a year.

Transportation Security Screeners who work in District of Columbia, Alaska, or North Dakota, make the highest salaries.
How much do Transportation Security Screeners make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $39,850 |
Alaska | $49,440 |
Arizona | $40,880 |
Arkansas | $39,280 |
Connecticut | $44,560 |
District of Columbia | $99,160 |
Florida | $40,550 |
Georgia | $40,760 |
Hawaii | $41,430 |
Idaho | $39,380 |
Illinois | $42,290 |
Indiana | $38,570 |
Iowa | $39,560 |
Kansas | $38,990 |
Kentucky | $39,580 |
Louisiana | $38,630 |
Maine | $40,940 |
Maryland | $42,560 |
Massachusetts | $43,920 |
Michigan | $41,580 |
Mississippi | $38,270 |
Missouri | $38,930 |
Montana | $39,830 |
Nebraska | $38,700 |
Nevada | $38,980 |
New Hampshire | $42,980 |
New Jersey | $44,370 |
New Mexico | $37,970 |
New York | $41,600 |
North Carolina | $39,350 |
North Dakota | $45,970 |
Ohio | $40,780 |
Oklahoma | $38,910 |
Rhode Island | $42,830 |
South Carolina | $36,740 |
South Dakota | $38,810 |
Tennessee | $39,550 |
Texas | $42,160 |
Utah | $38,380 |
Vermont | $42,200 |
Virginia | $40,960 |
Washington | $42,940 |
West Virginia | $41,000 |
Wisconsin | $39,970 |
Wyoming | $41,190 |
What Tools do Transportation Security Screeners Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Transportation Security Screeners may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Web browser software
- Data entry software
- Email software
- Linux
- Oracle Taleo
Becoming a Transportation Security Screener
Individuals working as a Transportation Security Screener have obtained the following education levels:

What work experience do I need to become a Transportation Security Screener?

Transportation Security Screeners Sector

Transportation Security Screeners work in the following industries:

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Are you already one of the many Transportation Security Screener in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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