Protective Service
Transportation Security Screeners
Also called: Security Screener, Transportation Security Officer (TSO)
US median pay
$66,770
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
-4.2%
declining
Openings a year (US)
4,500
53,500 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
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.
What they do day to 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.
- Notify supervisors or other appropriate personnel when security breaches occur.
- Send checked baggage through automated screening machines, and set bags aside for searching or rescreening as indicated by equipment.
- Decide whether baggage that triggers alarms should be searched or should be allowed to pass through.
- Follow those who breach security until police or other security personnel arrive to apprehend them.
- Inform other screeners when baggage should not be opened because it might contain explosives.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Social Perceptiveness3.2/5
- Coordination3.2/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1/5
- Service Orientation3.0/5
- Persuasion3.0/5
- Instructing2.9/5
- Operations Monitoring2.8/5
- Complex Problem Solving2.8/5
Knowledge
- Public Safety and Security3.8/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.6/5
- English Language3.6/5
- Law and Government2.7/5
- Education and Training2.7/5
- Transportation2.4/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma85%
- Some college11%
Who this job suits
Mostly Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.