Transportation Security Screener salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Transportation Security Screeners in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median of $69,910 a year ($33.61 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,360 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,900 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $66,770. Pay here is about the same as the Virginia statewide median of $69,910. There are 0.43 transportation security screeners per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $66,970, close to the median.
Pay range for transportation security screeners in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,230 | $25.11 |
| 25th percentile | $57,160 | $27.48 |
| Median | $69,910 | $33.61 |
| 75th percentile | $72,240 | $34.73 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,900 | $36.97 |
| Average (mean) | $66,970 | $32.20 |
Half of transportation security screeners earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,825.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,912.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,688.85 |
| Weekly | $1,344.42 |
| Hourly | $33.61 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $69,910 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Transportation Security Screener salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $72,240 | 550 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $67,330 | 930 |
| Richmond, VA | $65,960 | 160 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $63,130 | 30 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $63,130 | 40 |
| Roanoke, VA | $63,130 | 50 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $62,000 | 240 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $61,110 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for transportation security screeners
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Hampshire | $76,130 |
| New Jersey | $74,400 |
| California | $73,610 |
| Massachusetts | $73,510 |
| Maryland | $72,240 |
| New York | $72,010 |
| Colorado | $71,530 |
| Rhode Island | $71,510 |
| Alaska | $71,390 |
| Illinois | $70,570 |
See Transportation Security Screener pay in every state or the Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $46,830 | $22.52 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $34,710 | $16.69 |
| School Bus Monitor | $41,720 | $20.06 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $40,800 | $19.61 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $58,780 | $28.26 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $62,300 | $29.95 |
| Animal Control Worker | $57,510 | $27.65 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $57,890 | $27.83 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $84,000 | $40.39 |
| Firefighter | $66,980 | $32.20 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $125,960 | $60.56 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $156,750 | $75.36 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $70,570 | $33.93 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $118,570 | $57.01 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-9093. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a transportation security screener make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median salary for transportation security screeners in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $69,910 a year, or $33.61 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,900 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid transportation security screeners make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The top 10% of transportation security screeners in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn at least $76,900 a year. The top 25% earn $72,240 or more.
What is the starting pay for transportation security screeners in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,230 a year, and a quarter of transportation security screeners earn $57,160 or less.
How many transportation security screeners work in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
About 1,360 transportation security screeners are employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.