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The average salary for an airport security screener is approximately $35,020 annually, translating to about $17 per hour. This figure can fluctuate based on several factors, including geographic location, experience, and specific employer.
In states like California and New York, salaries may exceed the national average due to higher living costs. For example, airport security screeners in these states may earn upwards of $40,000 per year.
Job opportunities for airport security screeners are found in various sectors, primarily within aviation and government agencies. Additionally, those with specialized training or certifications may command higher salaries.
Understanding the salary landscape for airport security screeners not only helps job seekers make informed career choices but also guides them to locations and industries with the highest pay potential. Explore local job listings and salary estimates to find the best opportunities in your area.
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The average airport security screener salary in Alaska, Massachusetts, and New Jersey are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average airport security screener salary states are Utah, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $48,535 | $23.33 |
| 2 | Minnesota | $36,889 | $17.74 |
| 3 | Illinois | $35,214 | $16.93 |
| 4 | New Jersey | $38,115 | $18.32 |
| 5 | Indiana | $33,349 | $16.03 |
| 6 | New York | $36,874 | $17.73 |
| 7 | New Hampshire | $35,887 | $17.25 |
| 8 | Connecticut | $35,751 | $17.19 |
| 9 | Washington | $35,541 | $17.09 |
| 10 | North Dakota | $36,700 | $17.64 |
| 11 | Pennsylvania | $33,061 | $15.89 |
| 12 | Wisconsin | $32,955 | $15.84 |
| 13 | Massachusetts | $40,371 | $19.41 |
| 14 | Ohio | $33,743 | $16.22 |
| 15 | Vermont | $34,668 | $16.67 |
| 16 | Maine | $34,626 | $16.65 |
| 17 | South Dakota | $34,108 | $16.40 |
| 18 | Iowa | $30,896 | $14.85 |
| 19 | Nebraska | $30,360 | $14.60 |
| 20 | California | $35,911 | $17.26 |
| 21 | Michigan | $30,743 | $14.78 |
| 22 | Montana | $29,432 | $14.15 |
| 23 | Arizona | $26,898 | $12.93 |
| 24 | Rhode Island | $28,758 | $13.83 |
| 25 | Maryland | $33,434 | $16.07 |
| 26 | Delaware | $27,458 | $13.20 |
| 27 | Arkansas | $28,564 | $13.73 |
| 28 | Wyoming | $27,262 | $13.11 |
| 29 | Hawaii | $32,677 | $15.71 |
| 30 | Virginia | $30,633 | $14.73 |
| 31 | Tennessee | $28,085 | $13.50 |
| 32 | Missouri | $27,013 | $12.99 |
| 33 | Texas | $25,792 | $12.40 |
| 34 | Colorado | $29,725 | $14.29 |
| 35 | Oregon | $27,197 | $13.08 |
| 36 | North Carolina | $27,015 | $12.99 |
| 37 | Louisiana | $25,714 | $12.36 |
| 38 | West Virginia | $25,838 | $12.42 |
| 39 | Alabama | $22,978 | $11.05 |
| 40 | Kentucky | $24,175 | $11.62 |
| 41 | Georgia | $23,956 | $11.52 |
| 42 | Idaho | $25,900 | $12.45 |
| 43 | Mississippi | $22,892 | $11.01 |
| 44 | Kansas | $24,209 | $11.64 |
| 45 | South Carolina | $25,163 | $12.10 |
| 46 | Nevada | $22,464 | $10.80 |
| 47 | District of Columbia | $26,550 | $12.76 |
| 48 | Oklahoma | $23,053 | $11.08 |
| 49 | Florida | $24,360 | $11.71 |
| 50 | New Mexico | $23,234 | $11.17 |
| 51 | Utah | $23,387 | $11.24 |
The highest-paying cities for airport security screeners are Boston, MA, Newark, NJ, and Rochester, NY.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston, MA | $40,381 | $19.41 |
| 2 | Newark, NJ | $38,307 | $18.42 |
| 3 | Rochester, NY | $37,575 | $18.06 |
| 4 | Minneapolis, MN | $36,910 | $17.75 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $36,450 | $17.52 |
| 6 | Sterling, VA | $33,007 | $15.87 |
| 7 | Great Falls, MT | $31,003 | $14.91 |
| 8 | Detroit, MI | $30,764 | $14.79 |
| 9 | Kansas City, MO | $26,944 | $12.95 |
| 10 | San Antonio, TX | $26,063 | $12.53 |
| 11 | Olathe, KS | $24,535 | $11.80 |
| 12 | Miami, FL | $24,456 | $11.76 |
| 13 | Las Vegas, NV | $22,451 | $10.79 |
An airport security screener's salary ranges from $22,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $54,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $54,000 | $4,500 | $26 |
| 75th Percentile | $44,000 | $3,667 | $21 |
| Average | $35,020 | $2,918 | $17 |
| 25th Percentile | $27,000 | $2,250 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $22,000 | $1,833 | $11 |
The highest paying types of airport security screeners are bag checker, baggage screener, and airport screener.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screener | $36,366 | $3,031 | $17.48 | 3,108 |
| Security | $31,836 | $2,653 | $15.31 | 150,586 |
| Transportation Security Officer | $36,007 | $3,001 | $17.31 | 127,192 |
Top companies hiring airport security screeners now:
Airport security screener salaries at Covenant and VMD Systems are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average airport security screener salary at companies like Allied Universal and Dal are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Covenant | $40,340 | $19.39 |
| 2 | VMD Systems | $33,456 | $16.08 |
| 3 | Allied Universal | $32,864 | $15.80 |
| 4 | Dal | $32,020 | $15.39 |
| 5 | Covenant Aviation Security | $31,883 | $15.33 |
| 6 | Covenant Security Services, Ltd | $30,627 | $14.72 |
| 7 | Hilton | $26,759 | $12.86 |
The average airport security screener salary varies across industries:
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Government | $49,247 | $23.68 |
| 2 | Utilities | $33,120 | $15.92 |
| 3 | Transportation | $32,098 | $15.43 |
| 4 | Manufacturing | $32,070 | $15.42 |
The average airport security screener salary has risen by $5,842 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average airport security screener earned $29,178 annually, but today, they earn $35,020 a year. That works out to a 12% change in pay for airport security screeners over the last decade.
Compare airport security screener salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare airport security screener salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $35,000 | $16.84 | +5.7% |
| 2025 | $33,000 | $15.88 | +0.7% |
| 2024 | $32,800 | $15.77 | +2.2% |
| 2023 | $32,100 | $15.42 | +2.2% |
| 2022 | $31,400 | $15.08 | +0.9% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gardaworld | Airport Call Off Coverage Security | Franklin Park, IL | 05/14/2025 | $44,871 |
| Vmd Corp | Airport Security Screener | Kalispell, MT | 03/27/2025 | $45,914 |
| Huntleigh Usa Corporation | Airport Security | Anchorage, AK | 03/14/2025 | $37,566 |
| Prosegur Security USA, Inc. | Airport Cargo Security Screener | Enon, VA | 02/20/2025 | $41,740 |
| Chippewachamber | Airport Security Screener-Training Provided | Great Falls, MT | 02/19/2025 | $45,914 |
| VMD Corp | Airport Security Screener | Mission, KS | 02/18/2025 | $40,196 |
| Vmd Corp | Airport Security Screener-Training Provided | Great Falls, MT | 02/18/2025 | $45,914 |
| Vet Jobs | Airport Security Tactical-ST Louis MO | Noel, MO | 02/17/2025 | $32,870 |
| Msccn | Airport Security Tactical-ST Louis MO | Saint Louis, MO | 02/12/2025 | $32,870 |
| Vmd Corp | Airport Security Screener-Training Provided | Great Falls, MT | 01/26/2025 | $45,914 |
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