Transportation Security Screeners Salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
In San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA, transportation security screeners earn $68,290 at the median, or about $32.83 an hour. The range runs from $45K at the entry level to $75K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 111.89), so that salary is closer to $61,033 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,001/month — about 67.3% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $68K get you in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad’s Regional Price Parity (111.89). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About transportation security screeners
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Entry-level transportation security screeners (10th percentile) start around $45K. Mid-career wages sit at $68K. Top earners bring in $75K or more, a $30K spread from bottom to top.
Transportation Security Screeners pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | $72K | +14% | 100 |
| New York | $70K | +11% | 3,220 |
| New Jersey | $70K | +11% | 1,440 |
| California | $70K | +10% | 5,060 |
| Maryland | $68K | +8% | 670 |
| Alaska | $68K | +7% | 430 |
| Rhode Island | $68K | +7% | 150 |
| Illinois | $67K | +6% | 1,850 |
| Hawaii | $67K | +5% | 990 |
| Michigan | $66K | +4% | 950 |
| Washington | $66K | +4% | 1,160 |
| Minnesota | $65K | +3% | 680 |
| Texas | $65K | +3% | 4,180 |
| Virginia | $65K | +2% | 1,700 |
| Massachusetts | $64K | +1% | 1,310 |
| Georgia | $63K | +0% | 1,740 |
| Ohio | $63K | -1% | 680 |
| Pennsylvania | $62K | -2% | 1,420 |
| North Carolina | $62K | -2% | 1,250 |
| Missouri | $61K | -3% | 510 |
| Nevada | $61K | -3% | 1,290 |
| Arizona | $61K | -4% | 1,460 |
| New Mexico | $61K | -4% | 190 |
| Alabama | $61K | -4% | 260 |
| Wisconsin | $60K | -5% | 500 |
| Arkansas | $60K | -5% | 200 |
| Florida | $60K | -5% | 5,890 |
| Idaho | $60K | -5% | 230 |
| Indiana | $60K | -5% | 420 |
| Iowa | $60K | -5% | 190 |
| Kansas | $60K | -5% | 130 |
| Kentucky | $60K | -5% | 470 |
| Louisiana | $60K | -5% | 420 |
| Maine | $60K | -5% | 160 |
| Mississippi | $60K | -5% | 180 |
| Nebraska | $60K | -5% | 250 |
| North Dakota | $60K | -5% | 130 |
| Oklahoma | $60K | -5% | 260 |
| Oregon | $60K | -5% | 580 |
| South Carolina | $60K | -5% | 450 |
| Tennessee | $60K | -5% | 790 |
| Utah | $60K | -5% | 480 |
| West Virginia | $60K | -5% | 90 |
| Vermont | $55K | -13% | 60 |
| South Dakota | $49K | -23% | 70 |
| Montana | $49K | -23% | 430 |
Showing 1–10 of 46 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track transportation security screeners salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do transportation security screeners make in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The median is $68,290 a year, that works out to about $33 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $45,070, and experienced transportation security screeners can clear $75,110. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $68K enough to live in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,489/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,001/month, which eats 66.9% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a transportation security screeners salary go in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad?
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad has a Regional Price Parity of 111.89 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median transportation security screeners salary is worth about $61,033 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do transportation security screeners get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.