Transportation Security Screeners
SOC Code: 33-9093 Job Zone 2: Some Preparation Needed
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.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Transportation Security Screeners. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska nonmetropolitan area | $56,306 | $65,166 | $74,027 | $82,888 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $60,861 | $67,454 | $74,048 | $80,642 |
| Salinas, CA | $58,906 | $65,749 | $72,571 | $79,414 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $57,470 | $64,709 | $71,947 | $79,186 |
| Modesto, CA | $56,784 | $64,126 | $71,490 | $78,832 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $48,360 | $58,094 | $67,850 | $77,584 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $56,077 | $63,045 | $70,034 | $77,002 |
| Merced, CA | $54,496 | $61,942 | $69,389 | $76,835 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $59,654 | $65,250 | $70,824 | $76,419 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $59,654 | $65,250 | $70,824 | $76,419 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Speaking | 3.4 | |
| Monitoring | 3.4 | |
| Active Listening | 3.2 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.2 | |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.2 | |
| Coordination | 3.2 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.1 | |
| Persuasion | 3.0 | |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.0 | |
| Service Orientation | 3.0 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Public Safety and Security | 3.8 |
| Customer and Personal Service | 3.6 |
| English Language | 3.6 |
| Law and Government | 2.7 |
| Education and Training | 2.7 |
| Transportation | 2.4 |
| Administration and Management | 2.4 |
| Psychology | 2.4 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma | 85.2% |
| Post-secondary certificate | 11.1% |
| Less than high school | 3.7% |
Typical Tasks
- Ask passengers to remove shoes and divest themselves of metal objects prior to walking through metal detectors.
- 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.
- Close entry areas following security breaches or reopen areas after receiving notification that the airport is secure.
- Confiscate dangerous items and hazardous materials found in opened bags and turn them over to airlines for disposal.
- Contact leads or supervisors to discuss objects of concern that are not on prohibited object lists.
- Contact police directly in cases of urgent security issues, using phones or two-way radios.
- Decide whether baggage that triggers alarms should be searched or should be allowed to pass through.
- Direct passengers to areas where they can pick up their baggage after screening is complete.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Linux Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft Word Oracle Java Slack Applicant tracking software Email software Oracle Taleo Rapiscan Threat Image Projection Web browser software
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