Transportation Security Screener salary in Tennessee
Transportation Security Screeners in Tennessee earn a median of $61,110 a year ($29.38 an hour), based on BLS data for 840 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $69,240 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $66,770. Tennessee ranks 39th 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 $59,860, close to the median.
Pay range for transportation security screeners in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,920 | $23.04 |
| 25th percentile | $49,940 | $24.01 |
| Median | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| 75th percentile | $65,170 | $31.33 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $69,240 | $33.29 |
| Average (mean) | $59,860 | $28.78 |
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 | $5,092.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,546.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,350.38 |
| Weekly | $1,175.19 |
| Hourly | $29.38 |
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 Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $63,130 | 50 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $63,130 | 40 |
| Knoxville, TN | $63,130 | 110 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $61,110 | 170 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $61,110 | 460 |
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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $36,000 | $17.31 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,200 | $13.56 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $35,960 | $17.29 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $49,360 | $23.73 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $44,100 | $21.20 |
| School Bus Monitor | $27,250 | $13.10 |
| Animal Control Worker | $42,970 | $20.66 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $59,280 | $28.50 |
| Firefighter | $49,300 | $23.70 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $50,940 | $24.49 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $74,770 | $35.95 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $77,920 | $37.46 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $77,090 | $37.06 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $50,830 | $24.44 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for transportation security screeners in Tennessee is $61,110 a year, or $29.38 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $69,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid transportation security screeners make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of transportation security screeners in Tennessee earn at least $69,240 a year. The top 25% earn $65,170 or more.
What is the starting pay for transportation security screeners in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,920 a year, and a quarter of transportation security screeners earn $49,940 or less.
How many transportation security screeners work in Tennessee?
About 840 transportation security screeners are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.