Transportation Security Agent – Career Guide, Education Requirements, Salary Information

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.

How to become a TSA Agent

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: $61840

$45KK
$49.5KK
$61.8KK
$68KK
$74.8KK
10%
25%
50%
75%
90%

Salary Information by State

State Employed Avg. Annual Salary Avg. Hourly Pay Top 10% Annual Salary Bottom 10% Annual Salary
Alabama260$59,850$28.78$72,010$49,000
Alaska430$69,000$33.17$86,090$53,120
Arizona1,460$56,980$27.40$68,890$39,340
Arkansas200$55,670$26.77$67,950$43,040
California5,060$67,030$32.23$79,600$46,880
Florida5,890$58,240$28.00$70,240$42,140
Georgia1,740$59,220$28.47$69,700$41,810
Hawaii990$65,530$31.50$75,630$51,110
Idaho230$55,730$26.80$65,960$43,040
Illinois1,850$65,120$31.31$73,630$46,110
Indiana420$55,940$26.89$68,580$43,040
Iowa190$56,730$27.28$67,950$43,370
Kansas130$57,510$27.65$67,950$39,560
Kentucky470$57,090$27.45$68,700$46,650
Louisiana420$59,660$28.69$69,950$49,000
Maine160$60,460$29.07$74,510$48,630
Maryland670$63,300$30.43$75,230$45,140
Massachusetts1,310$65,960$31.71$81,950$39,860
Michigan950$63,750$30.65$72,740$49,000
Minnesota680$63,540$30.55$76,090$51,190
Mississippi180$58,670$28.21$67,950$49,000
Missouri510$57,560$27.67$67,950$44,080
Montana430$51,890$24.95$65,960$40,440
Nebraska250$56,200$27.02$66,580$45,220
Nevada1,290$59,050$28.39$67,310$50,020
New Hampshire100$70,120$33.71$83,530$55,370
New Jersey1,440$65,220$31.36$77,480$46,490
New Mexico190$56,050$26.95$66,640$41,750
New York3,220$64,070$30.80$77,480$46,490
North Carolina1,250$59,020$28.37$68,830$43,950
North Dakota130$58,390$28.07$69,240$47,030
Ohio680$60,210$28.95$70,970$44,890
Oklahoma260$58,960$28.35$67,950$49,000
Oregon580$60,370$29.02$72,920$49,000
Pennsylvania1,420$58,990$28.36$72,570$43,890
Rhode Island150$65,540$31.51$76,770$55,370
South Carolina450$57,610$27.70$67,950$49,000
South Dakota70$53,760$25.85$65,960$43,040
Tennessee790$57,300$27.55$67,950$47,030
Texas4,180$63,230$30.40$76,070$49,000
Utah480$58,440$28.09$70,350$49,250
Vermont60$60,850$29.26$71,240$52,460
Virginia1,700$61,850$29.73$72,970$45,140
Washington1,160$67,770$32.58$81,240$49,170
West Virginia90$59,520$28.62$69,950$49,000
Wisconsin500$55,960$26.91$68,950$43,040
Guam270$56,480$27.16$73,940$29,140
Puerto Rico570$52,460$25.22$65,960$24,390
Virgin Islands100$60,300$28.99$73,940$49,000

Annual Average Salary: Top 10 States

New Hampshire tops the list in this field, with an average salary of $70,120.

These are the leading 10 states in terms of earnings in the field:

New Hampshire - $70,120
Alaska - $69,000
Washington - $67,770
California - $67,030
Massachusetts - $65,960
Rhode Island - $65,540
Hawaii - $65,530
New Jersey - $65,220
Illinois - $65,120
New York - $64,070
* Salary information based on the May 2024 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Transportation Security Screeners, OCC Code 33-9093, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Michael Morales
Michael is the Webmaster and Editor in Chief for Legalcareerpath.com. With a strong background in Web Publishing and Internet Marketing, he currently works as an independent consultant. A former paramedic and EMS educator, he enjoys punishing himself doing triathlons and endurance sports. Michael currently lives in sunny Northern California, home of the highest tax rates in the United States.

4 Responses to Transportation Security Agent – Career Guide, Education Requirements, Salary Information

  1. Kyle Carlos #

    This career provides opportunities for professional growth and advancement, as agents can take on supervisory roles and access various specialized areas within transportation security.

  2. Jason Crump #

    They receive extensive training, equipping them with valuable skills in security procedures, conflict resolution, and customer service.

  3. Chris Morrell #

    The job typically involves diverse responsibilities, from passenger screening to operation security equipment, providing a dynamic and engaging work environment.

  4. Edwin Gordon #

    These agents play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of travelers and the security of transportation systems, contributing to public safety.

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