According to O*NET Online, Transportation security officers (aka TSA Agents) conduct screening of passengers, baggage, or cargo to ensure compliance with Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulations.
They may also operate basic security equipment such as X-ray machines and hand wands at screening checkpoints.
TSAs work at airports, ports, docks, and train stations throughout the country.
The Department of Transportation Security is a branch of Homeland Security and is charged with helping with the fight against terrorism by investigating passengers to ensure the safety of all that are boarding the airplane, boat, train, or other vehicle.
Job Duties
Transportation security officers provide the first line of security for travelers.
Transportation security plays the role of identifying dangerous objects that may be on a passenger or in the baggage of the passenger.
To prevent these potentially dangerous items from boarding the plane, a transportation security officer will use imaging equipment and electronic detection devices to remove the items.
Passengers who are found with items that are deemed to be dangerous may be detained by the security of the office.
Airports are open all day every day, which means that there is a need for transportation security around the clock.
These positions may require an individual to work irregular shifts/hours, holidays, weekends, as well as extended hours.
Requirements
In order to be eligible to become a TSA agent, a person must be a citizen of the United States.
They must also have at least a high school diploma or a GED.
In addition, a year of experience working as a security officer, as an aviation screener, or as an x-ray technician, is required before a person will be considered for this position.
Most states also require guards to be licensed by the state, especially if they are required to carry a firearm.
Education
Most positions with the TSA only require an individual to have a high school diploma.
However, it is recommended that a person obtain a secondary education in an area such as criminal investigation, criminology, security, police officer training, or another area of this nature.
An associate’s degree in criminal justice is the most popular educational degree for a TSA agent.
In addition, an individual will need to pass a certification examination.
Once you begin working on the job, expect to have to go through additional training and pass certification examinations as well.
Not being able to pass certification examinations is grounds for dismissal.
Qualifications
All candidates for these jobs will need to pass a background investigation check.
This background check will include a credit check.
A drug and alcohol screening will be given, and potential candidates must pass these as well.
There are also physical qualifications that must be met.
With new security laws put in place after 9/11, more and more airports are hiring transportation security.
Screeners are the most abundant of the positions available in this field.
Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (Security Guards Handbook), transportation security officers can expect to make $43,900 per year.
These figures are based on national data, not school-specific information.
Salaries can vary depending on experience, location, client, and type of work.
Overall employment of security guards is projected to grow 2% from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations.
Federal benefits are also typically provided to individuals who work in these positions; this includes health insurance, retirement, sick leave, and paid vacation.
U.S. Average Salary: $64,310
Salary Information by State
| State | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 260 | $63,390 | $30.48 | $72,110 | $49,940 |
| Alaska | 440 | $71,150 | $34.21 | $87,510 | $54,180 |
| Arizona | 1,380 | $61,660 | $29.65 | $72,450 | $41,080 |
| Arkansas | 190 | $60,170 | $28.93 | $69,240 | $45,640 |
| California | 5,410 | $68,660 | $33.01 | $81,470 | $46,070 |
| Colorado | 1,250 | $67,870 | $32.63 | $78,690 | $58,530 |
| Florida | 6,920 | $59,740 | $28.72 | $71,570 | $42,910 |
| Georgia | 1,850 | $61,870 | $29.75 | $71,070 | $42,640 |
| Hawaii | 1,010 | $67,720 | $32.56 | $77,190 | $57,180 |
| Idaho | 250 | $58,400 | $28.08 | $67,200 | $45,640 |
| Illinois | 1,970 | $67,300 | $32.36 | $75,190 | $45,070 |
| Indiana | 460 | $57,980 | $27.88 | $67,830 | $40,710 |
| Iowa | 220 | $58,310 | $28.03 | $69,240 | $45,640 |
| Kansas | 120 | $61,380 | $29.51 | $69,240 | $49,940 |
| Kentucky | 510 | $60,390 | $29.03 | $70,010 | $47,530 |
| Louisiana | 460 | $61,380 | $29.51 | $71,280 | $45,640 |
| Maine | 160 | $64,630 | $31.07 | $76,130 | $49,690 |
| Maryland | 570 | $72,230 | $34.73 | $79,230 | $57,160 |
| Massachusetts | 1,380 | $70,950 | $34.11 | $83,740 | $62,030 |
| Michigan | 1,070 | $63,970 | $30.76 | $74,130 | $44,470 |
| Minnesota | 740 | $65,660 | $31.57 | $77,670 | $52,250 |
| Mississippi | 170 | $62,080 | $29.84 | $69,240 | $49,940 |
| Missouri | 930 | $54,430 | $26.17 | $68,910 | $40,850 |
| Montana | 330 | $55,250 | $26.56 | $69,450 | $40,090 |
| Nebraska | 290 | $57,890 | $27.83 | $67,890 | $46,090 |
| Nevada | 1,350 | $62,150 | $29.88 | $68,660 | $41,180 |
| New Hampshire | 80 | $75,580 | $36.34 | $87,650 | $69,200 |
| New Jersey | 1,200 | $73,490 | $35.33 | $81,600 | $58,860 |
| New Mexico | 200 | $59,530 | $28.62 | $67,930 | $42,560 |
| New York | 4,240 | $64,540 | $31.03 | $79,210 | $42,630 |
| North Carolina | 1,300 | $61,940 | $29.78 | $70,780 | $44,840 |
| North Dakota | 170 | $58,250 | $28.01 | $69,240 | $47,920 |
| Ohio | 690 | $63,510 | $30.53 | $72,300 | $47,650 |
| Pennsylvania | 1,460 | $63,390 | $30.48 | $74,800 | $47,200 |
| Rhode Island | 160 | $68,450 | $32.91 | $78,440 | $45,680 |
| South Carolina | 480 | $60,590 | $29.13 | $69,240 | $42,100 |
| South Dakota | 60 | $56,310 | $27.07 | $69,240 | $45,640 |
| Tennessee | 840 | $59,860 | $28.78 | $69,240 | $47,920 |
| Texas | 4,300 | $66,740 | $32.09 | $77,520 | $46,510 |
| Utah | 510 | $60,420 | $29.05 | $71,280 | $50,210 |
| Vermont | 80 | $62,120 | $29.87 | $72,010 | $53,560 |
| Virginia | 1,870 | $65,010 | $31.26 | $76,900 | $46,130 |
| West Virginia | 90 | $62,860 | $30.22 | $71,280 | $54,950 |
| Wisconsin | 540 | $57,040 | $27.42 | $70,280 | $30,100 |
| Wyoming | 90 | $61,140 | $29.39 | $73,880 | $45,640 |
| Guam | 280 | $60,130 | $28.91 | $75,110 | $35,340 |
| Puerto Rico | 610 | $56,040 | $26.94 | $67,200 | $24,660 |
| Virgin Islands | 90 | $64,930 | $31.22 | $71,280 | $61,110 |
Annual Average Salary: Top 10 States
New Hampshire tops the list in this field, with an average salary of $75,580.
These are the leading 10 states in terms of earnings in the field:
* Salary estimates are based on data from the May 2025 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for Transportation Security Screeners, (SOC Code 33-9093).* Employment opportunities may vary depending on your area.
This career provides opportunities for professional growth and advancement, as agents can take on supervisory roles and access various specialized areas within transportation security.
They receive extensive training, equipping them with valuable skills in security procedures, conflict resolution, and customer service.
The job typically involves diverse responsibilities, from passenger screening to operation security equipment, providing a dynamic and engaging work environment.
These agents play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of travelers and the security of transportation systems, contributing to public safety.