How Much Does a TSA Agent Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$66,770
TSA agents in the U.S. earn a median of $66,770 a year, or $32.10 an hour. Half of TSA agents earn more than $66,770 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $78,350.
Pay percentiles for TSA agents
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $21.49 | $44,700 |
| 25th | $27.43 | $57,050 |
| 50th (median) | $32.10 | $66,770 |
| 75th | $35.01 | $72,820 |
| 90th | $37.67 | $78,350 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Transportation Security Screeners (SOC 33-9093). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for TSA agents
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | $76,130 | $36.60 | +14% |
| New Jersey | $74,400 | $35.77 | +11% |
| California | $73,610 | $35.39 | +10% |
| Massachusetts | $73,510 | $35.34 | +10% |
| Maryland | $72,240 | $34.73 | +8% |
| New York | $72,010 | $34.62 | +8% |
| Colorado | $71,530 | $34.39 | +7% |
| Rhode Island | $71,510 | $34.38 | +7% |
| Alaska | $71,390 | $34.32 | +7% |
| Illinois | $70,570 | $33.93 | +6% |
| United States | $66,770 | $32.10 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many TSA agents are there?
BLS counts about 50,290 TSA agents employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Transportation Security Screeners”. The most jobs are in Florida (6,920), California (5,410) and Texas (4,300).
The mean (average) annual wage is $64,310, lower than the median of $66,770.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $5,564
- Biweekly
- $2,568
- Weekly
- $1,284
- Daily (8 hours)
- $257
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do TSA agents make an hour?
The median hourly wage for TSA agents is $32.10. The middle 50% earn between $27.43 and $35.01 an hour.
Which state pays TSA agents the most?
New Hampshire has the highest median wage for TSA agents at $76,130, +14% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for TSA agents?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of TSA agents earn less than $44,700 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.