Transportation Security Screener salary in Montana
Transportation Security Screeners in Montana earn a median of $54,770 a year ($26.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 330 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $69,450 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $66,770. Montana ranks 44th of 45 states for transportation security screeners pay. There are 0.64 transportation security screeners per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $55,250, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for transportation security screeners in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,090 | $19.27 |
| 25th percentile | $45,640 | $21.94 |
| Median | $54,770 | $26.33 |
| 75th percentile | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $69,450 | $33.39 |
| Average (mean) | $55,250 | $26.56 |
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 | $4,564.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,282.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,106.54 |
| Weekly | $1,053.27 |
| Hourly | $26.33 |
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 Montana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT | $61,110 | 80 |
| Missoula, MT | $61,110 | 60 |
| Bozeman, MT | $57,450 | 80 |
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 Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $38,480 | $18.50 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $41,660 | $20.03 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| School Bus Monitor | $34,740 | $16.70 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $32,600 | $15.67 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $47,430 | $22.80 |
| Animal Control Worker | $50,530 | $24.29 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $70,050 | $33.68 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $49,180 | $23.64 |
| Firefighter | $59,310 | $28.52 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $92,410 | $44.43 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $89,380 | $42.97 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $82,820 | $39.82 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $74,630 | $35.88 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Montana
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 Montana?
The median salary for transportation security screeners in Montana is $54,770 a year, or $26.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $69,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid transportation security screeners make in Montana?
The top 10% of transportation security screeners in Montana earn at least $69,450 a year. The top 25% earn $63,130 or more.
What is the starting pay for transportation security screeners in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,090 a year, and a quarter of transportation security screeners earn $45,640 or less.
How many transportation security screeners work in Montana?
About 330 transportation security screeners are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.