Transportation Security Screener salary in Iowa
Transportation Security Screeners in Iowa earn a median of $61,590 a year ($29.61 an hour), based on BLS data for 220 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $69,240 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $66,770. Iowa ranks 37th of 45 states for transportation security screeners pay. There are 0.14 transportation security screeners per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.43). The average (mean) salary is $58,310, close to the median.
Pay range for transportation security screeners in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,640 | $21.94 |
| 25th percentile | $46,010 | $22.12 |
| Median | $61,590 | $29.61 |
| 75th percentile | $65,710 | $31.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $69,240 | $33.29 |
| Average (mean) | $58,310 | $28.03 |
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 cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $64,150 | 50 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $61,710 | 200 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $61,590 | 110 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $37,080 | $17.83 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $25,460 | $12.24 |
| School Bus Monitor | $32,740 | $15.74 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $35,750 | $17.19 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $41,240 | $19.83 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $41,110 | $19.77 |
| Animal Control Worker | $54,190 | $26.05 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $38,160 | $18.35 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $74,470 | $35.81 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $53,040 | $25.50 |
| Firefighter | $55,810 | $26.83 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $98,840 | $47.52 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $76,010 | $36.54 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $79,560 | $38.25 |
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 Iowa?
The median salary for transportation security screeners in Iowa is $61,590 a year, or $29.61 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $69,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid transportation security screeners make in Iowa?
The top 10% of transportation security screeners in Iowa earn at least $69,240 a year. The top 25% earn $65,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for transportation security screeners in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,640 a year, and a quarter of transportation security screeners earn $46,010 or less.
How many transportation security screeners work in Iowa?
About 220 transportation security screeners are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.