Transportation security officer vs baggage screener

The differences between transportation security officers and baggage screeners can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a baggage screener has an average salary of $41,490, which is higher than the $36,007 average annual salary of a transportation security officer.

The top three skills for a transportation security officer include continuous development, law enforcement and hire training. The most important skills for a baggage screener are check bags, transportation security administration, and metal detectors.

Transportation security officer vs baggage screener overview

	Transportation Security Officer	Baggage Screener
Yearly salary	$36,007	$41,490
Hourly rate	$17.31	$19.95
Growth rate	3%	-
Number of jobs	127,192	1,588
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 47%	Associate Degree, 34%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	-	-

Transportation security officer vs baggage screener salary

Transportation security officers and baggage screeners have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Transportation Security Officer	Baggage Screener
Average salary	$36,007	$41,490
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $44,000	Between $22,000 And $78,000
Highest paying City	Boston, MA	-
Highest paying state	Hawaii	-
Best paying company	National Institutes of Health	-
Best paying industry	Government	-

Differences between transportation security officer and baggage screener education

There are a few differences between a transportation security officer and a baggage screener in terms of educational background:

	Transportation Security Officer	Baggage Screener
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 47%	Associate Degree, 34%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Business
Most common college	-	-

Transportation security officer vs baggage screener demographics

Here are the differences between transportation security officers' and baggage screeners' demographics:

	Transportation Security Officer	Baggage Screener
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 57.2% Female, 42.8%	Male, 69.3% Female, 30.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 14.3% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 22.2% Asian, 4.0% White, 53.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%	Black or African American, 15.5% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 24.1% Asian, 4.2% White, 51.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage	16%	16%

Differences between transportation security officer and baggage screener duties and responsibilities

Transportation security officer example responsibilities.

Resolve simple, informal complaints from employees and referring others such as formal grievances & appeals to an appropriate manager.
Conduct entry of paperwork into PMIS.
Perform search and seizure of drugs and various FAA contraband.
Operate airport security screening equipment and identify items restrict by the FAA.
Certify in the working process of the terminals for the airport through training and OJT.
Serve as technician in addition to normal duties, and OJT instructor for new hires.

Baggage screener example responsibilities.

Assess pediatric patients for developmental delays using screening tool, consult with clinic pediatricians, and evaluate parent or caregiver concerns.
Verify physician orders and handle patient sensitive information daily while abiding by HIPAA regulations.

Transportation security officer vs baggage screener skills

Common transportation security officer skills

Continuous Development, 12%
Law Enforcement, 9%
Hire Training, 9%
TSO, 8%
Unexpected Obstacles, 8%
Stressful Environment, 7%

Common baggage screener skills

Check Bags, 75%
Transportation Security Administration, 9%
Metal Detectors, 6%
X Ray Machines, 6%
CTX, 3%

Transportation Security Officer vs. similar jobs

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Transportation Security Officer
Transportation Security Officer vs Baggage Screener

Updated January 8, 2025

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