Transportation Security Screener salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Transportation Security Screeners in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $61,590 a year ($29.61 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,770 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $66,770. Pay here is about the same as the Iowa statewide median of $61,590. There are 0.26 transportation security screeners per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $57,350, close to the median.
Pay range for transportation security screeners in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,010 | $22.12 |
| 25th percentile | $46,010 | $22.12 |
| Median | $61,590 | $29.61 |
| 75th percentile | $63,650 | $30.60 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $67,770 | $32.58 |
| Average (mean) | $57,350 | $27.57 |
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 | $5,132.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,566.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,368.85 |
| Weekly | $1,184.42 |
| Hourly | $29.61 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $64,150 | 50 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $61,710 | 200 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $61,110 | 60 |
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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $37,550 | $18.05 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $26,480 | $12.73 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $41,110 | $19.77 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $81,810 | $39.33 |
| Firefighter | $56,910 | $27.36 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $63,230 | $30.40 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $117,790 | $56.63 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $79,560 | $38.25 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $110,210 | $52.99 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $45,700 | $21.97 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $90,370 | $43.45 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other | $74,530 | $35.83 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for transportation security screeners in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $61,590 a year, or $29.61 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,770 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid transportation security screeners make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of transportation security screeners in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $67,770 a year. The top 25% earn $63,650 or more.
What is the starting pay for transportation security screeners in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,010 a year, and a quarter of transportation security screeners earn $46,010 or less.
How many transportation security screeners work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 110 transportation security screeners are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.