Salary guide
Transportation Security Officer Salary & Pay Scale (2026)
What transportation security officers earn per year, per hour and per month, with the full percentile range, the factors that move pay and how to earn more.
The median transportation security officer salary in the U.S. is $66,770 per year, or $32.10 per hour, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for May 2025. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $44,700, while the top 10% earned more than $78,350.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
Transportation Security Officer pay scale
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly* | What it usually reflects |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $44,700 | $21.49 | Typical for new workers, part-time markets and lower-paying settings |
| 25th percentile | $57,050 | $27.43 | Early career, a year or two of experience |
| Median (50th) | $66,770 | $32.10 | Mid-career: half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $72,820 | $35.01 | Experienced workers, specialists and higher-paying employers |
| 90th percentile | $78,350 | $37.67 | Top earners: senior, specialized, supervisory or high-cost areas |
*Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. Percentile descriptions are general patterns, not guarantees.
Monthly and biweekly pay
| Pay period | At 25th percentile | At median | At 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per year | $57,050 | $66,770 | $72,820 |
| Per month | $4,754 | $5,564 | $6,068 |
| Every two weeks | $2,194 | $2,568 | $2,801 |
| Per week | $1,097 | $1,284 | $1,400 |
Gross pay before taxes and deductions.
What affects transportation security officer pay
- Agency size and local government budgets
- Rank, seniority and specialty assignments
- Overtime, shift differentials and court time
- State licensing and armed-guard credentials for security work
- Geography and cost of living: metropolitan areas and some states pay well above the national median
How to earn more as a transportation security officer
- Get credentialed: TSA Officer certification, Recurrent training, CPR/first aid.
- Build specialty experience: Guide screening teams.
- Move up: roles such as supervisory tso and manager or federal security role typically pay more.
- Negotiate: research local pay and use our salary negotiation guide.
Transportation Security Officer pay vs. related careers
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of transportation security officers to change by -4.2% from 2025–35, a projected decline compared with the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 4,500 openings are projected each year, on average, including openings to replace workers who retire or change occupations.
About this data
Figures come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025), which covers wage and salary workers nationwide under SOC code 33-9093 (“Transportation security screeners”). Wages exclude self-employment income, overtime and most bonuses unless they are part of regular pay. We refresh these numbers when BLS releases new estimates each spring.
Transportation Security Officer salary FAQ
How much does a transportation security officer make per hour?
The median hourly wage for transportation security officers was $32.10 in May 2025 (BLS). Hourly pay for the lowest 10% was about $21.49 and the top 10% earned about $37.67 or more.
How much does a transportation security officer make a month?
At the median annual wage of $66,770, that works out to about $5,564 per month before taxes, or about $2,568 every two weeks.
What is the starting salary for a transportation security officer?
New transportation security officers often start near the lower end of the range. The 10th percentile was $44,700 and the 25th percentile was $57,050 per year in May 2025. Starting pay depends on location, employer and credentials.
How can transportation security officers earn more?
Common ways include earning TSA Officer certification and Recurrent training, gaining specialty experience, taking shifts or roles with premium pay, and moving up the career ladder to roles such as supervisory tso.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 33-9093 (Transportation security screeners).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Transportation security screeners (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.