Transportation Security Screeners Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
In Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, transportation security screeners earn $68,390 at the median, or about $32.88 an hour. The range runs from $45K at the entry level to $75K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.88), so that salary is closer to $62,812 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,246/month — about 50.3% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $68K get you in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Washington-Arlington-Alexandria’s Regional Price Parity (108.88). 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, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
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
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Frequently asked questions
How much do transportation security screeners make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median is $68,390 a year, that works out to about $33 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $45,140, and experienced transportation security screeners can clear $75,230. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $68K enough to live in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,450/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,246/month, which eats 50.5% 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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria has a Regional Price Parity of 108.88 (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 $62,812 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.