Transportation Security Screener salary in California
Transportation Security Screeners in California earn a median of $73,610 a year ($35.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,410 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,470 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $66,770. California ranks 3rd of 45 states for transportation security screeners pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.30 transportation security screeners per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $68,660, close to the median.
Pay range for transportation security screeners in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,070 | $22.15 |
| 25th percentile | $58,240 | $28.00 |
| Median | $73,610 | $35.39 |
| 75th percentile | $78,350 | $37.67 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,470 | $39.17 |
| Average (mean) | $68,660 | $33.01 |
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 | $6,134.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,067.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,831.15 |
| Weekly | $1,415.58 |
| Hourly | $35.39 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Transportation Security Screener salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Salinas, CA | $78,940 | 40 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $78,940 | 350 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $78,940 | 320 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $73,610 | 2,670 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $73,610 | 500 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $72,130 | 690 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $71,240 | 50 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $71,240 | 70 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $69,990 | 370 |
| Fresno, CA | $63,460 | 100 |
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 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $43,240 | $20.79 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $39,330 | $18.91 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $42,720 | $20.54 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $50,610 | $24.33 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $61,250 | $29.45 |
| School Bus Monitor | $38,360 | $18.44 |
| Animal Control Worker | $62,630 | $30.11 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $44,740 | $21.51 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $118,880 | $57.15 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $96,370 | $46.33 |
| Firefighter | $85,120 | $40.92 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $163,960 | $78.83 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $124,840 | $60.02 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $53,960 | $25.94 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in California
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 California?
The median salary for transportation security screeners in California is $73,610 a year, or $35.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,470 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid transportation security screeners make in California?
The top 10% of transportation security screeners in California earn at least $81,470 a year. The top 25% earn $78,350 or more.
What is the starting pay for transportation security screeners in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,070 a year, and a quarter of transportation security screeners earn $58,240 or less.
How many transportation security screeners work in California?
About 5,410 transportation security screeners are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.