Transportation Security Screener salary in Columbia, SC
Transportation Security Screeners in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $64,150 a year ($30.84 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $69,240 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $66,770. Pay here is 2% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $63,130. There are 0.16 transportation security screeners per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.49). The average (mean) salary is $64,710, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for transportation security screeners in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| 25th percentile | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| Median | $64,150 | $30.84 |
| 75th percentile | $67,200 | $32.31 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $69,240 | $33.29 |
| Average (mean) | $64,710 | $31.11 |
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 | $5,345.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,672.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,467.31 |
| Weekly | $1,233.65 |
| Hourly | $30.84 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Transportation Security Screener salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $65,170 | 50 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $64,540 | 560 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $63,130 | 120 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $63,130 | 120 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $61,110 | 160 |
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 |
See Transportation Security Screener pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $35,140 | $16.90 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $26,720 | $12.85 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $32,690 | $15.72 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $48,000 | $23.08 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $51,630 | $24.82 |
| Animal Control Worker | $41,740 | $20.07 |
| School Bus Monitor | $27,780 | $13.36 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $59,260 | $28.49 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $44,860 | $21.57 |
| Firefighter | $36,960 | $17.77 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $66,340 | $31.89 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $73,450 | $35.31 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $43,140 | $20.74 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $61,830 | $29.73 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
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 Columbia, SC?
The median salary for transportation security screeners in the Columbia, SC metro area is $64,150 a year, or $30.84 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $69,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid transportation security screeners make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of transportation security screeners in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $69,240 a year. The top 25% earn $67,200 or more.
What is the starting pay for transportation security screeners in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,110 a year, and a quarter of transportation security screeners earn $63,130 or less.
How many transportation security screeners work in Columbia, SC?
About 60 transportation security screeners are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.