Transportation Security Screener salary in Kentucky
Transportation Security Screeners in Kentucky earn a median of $63,130 a year ($30.35 an hour), based on BLS data for 510 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,010 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $66,770. Kentucky ranks 28th of 45 states for transportation security screeners pay. There are 0.26 transportation security screeners per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.79). The average (mean) salary is $60,390, close to the median.
Pay range for transportation security screeners in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,530 | $22.85 |
| 25th percentile | $49,940 | $24.01 |
| Median | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| 75th percentile | $65,770 | $31.62 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,010 | $33.66 |
| Average (mean) | $60,390 | $29.03 |
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 | $5,260.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,630.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,428.08 |
| Weekly | $1,214.04 |
| Hourly | $30.35 |
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 Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $63,650 | 270 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $63,130 | 30 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $63,130 | 70 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $61,110 | 150 |
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 Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $35,420 | $17.03 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,520 | $13.71 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $46,580 | $22.39 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $34,450 | $16.56 |
| School Bus Monitor | $28,220 | $13.57 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $47,650 | $22.91 |
| Animal Control Worker | $35,360 | $17.00 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $36,330 | $17.46 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $60,490 | $29.08 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $42,310 | $20.34 |
| Firefighter | $37,150 | $17.86 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $80,390 | $38.65 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $60,850 | $29.26 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $50,260 | $24.17 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for transportation security screeners in Kentucky is $63,130 a year, or $30.35 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,010 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid transportation security screeners make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of transportation security screeners in Kentucky earn at least $70,010 a year. The top 25% earn $65,770 or more.
What is the starting pay for transportation security screeners in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,530 a year, and a quarter of transportation security screeners earn $49,940 or less.
How many transportation security screeners work in Kentucky?
About 510 transportation security screeners are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.