Transportation Security Screener salary in South Dakota
Transportation Security Screeners in South Dakota earn a median of $55,530 a year ($26.70 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $69,240 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $66,770. South Dakota ranks 42nd of 45 states for transportation security screeners pay. There are 0.13 transportation security screeners per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.41). The average (mean) salary is $56,310, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for transportation security screeners in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,640 | $21.94 |
| 25th percentile | $45,640 | $21.94 |
| Median | $55,530 | $26.70 |
| 75th percentile | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $69,240 | $33.29 |
| Average (mean) | $56,310 | $27.07 |
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 | $4,627.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,313.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,135.77 |
| Weekly | $1,067.88 |
| Hourly | $26.70 |
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 South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Rapid City, SD | $55,530 | 40 |
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 South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $37,150 | $17.86 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $30,990 | $14.90 |
| School Bus Monitor | $34,380 | $16.53 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $42,260 | $20.32 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $33,820 | $16.26 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $46,940 | $22.57 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $44,840 | $21.56 |
| Animal Control Worker | $45,530 | $21.89 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $60,740 | $29.20 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $53,040 | $25.50 |
| Firefighter | $48,160 | $23.15 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $77,730 | $37.37 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $87,810 | $42.22 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $72,420 | $34.82 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
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 South Dakota?
The median salary for transportation security screeners in South Dakota is $55,530 a year, or $26.70 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 South Dakota?
The top 10% of transportation security screeners in South Dakota earn at least $69,240 a year. The top 25% earn $63,130 or more.
What is the starting pay for transportation security screeners in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,640 a year, and a quarter of transportation security screeners earn $45,640 or less.
How many transportation security screeners work in South Dakota?
About 60 transportation security screeners are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.