Prevailing Wage for Transportation Security Screeners
Prevailing wage for Transportation Security Screeners (SOC 33-9093.00) is set by the DOL across four experience levels, from entry-level Security Screener positions through senior Transportation Security Officer (TSO) roles. The floor varies significantly by worksite city, so an offer at one airport may clear the threshold where an identical title at another would not.
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Entry-level screeners with limited checkpoint experience, typically performing routine passenger and baggage screening under close supervision. DOL expects minimal independent judgment and direct oversight for most tasks. Most candidates entering the role from outside federal security work file here.
Qualified screeners with working knowledge of TSA checkpoint procedures and some independent operation. Level 2 is the most common filing level for Transportation Security Screeners, covering officers who handle standard screening duties with moderate supervision and some procedural discretion.
Experienced screeners who operate advanced screening equipment, handle complex or escalated situations with limited supervision, and may informally guide newer colleagues. DOL recognizes demonstrated proficiency across a broad range of checkpoint scenarios at this level.
Fully competent senior screeners or lead Transportation Security Officers who set procedures, supervise checkpoint operations, or serve in specialized capacities. These professionals exercise significant independent judgment and are expected to perform at the highest skill level within the occupation.
Prevailing wage for Transportation Security Screeners by OES area
Each area on the map is a DOL OES wage zone. Click any location to see the prevailing wage floor for Transportation Security Screeners at each level.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for Transportation Security Screeners and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
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Confirm your worksite airport before comparing wages
Because TSA screening positions are tied to a specific airport, the prevailing wage is determined by the metropolitan area of that facility. A position at a major hub like San Jose or Seattle carries a substantially higher floor than the same title at a smaller regional airport.
Watch for TSO title mismatches at filing
Some employers file Transportation Security Officer roles under adjacent security SOC codes rather than 33-9093.00. A misclassified SOC can set a lower prevailing wage floor, so verify that your LCA explicitly references SOC 33-9093.00 and the Transportation Security Screeners occupational title.
Expect most sponsorships to file at Level 2
Federal contractors and aviation security employers operating at established checkpoints typically file at Level 2 for officers with standard screening credentials. If your offer letter reflects supervisory or advanced screening duties, the filing level should be at least Level 3 to remain compliant.
Find employers who have sponsored TSO roles on Migrate Mate
Migrate Mate shows which employers have a documented history of sponsoring Transportation Security Screener positions, so you can target companies that have already navigated the LCA process for SOC 33-9093.00 rather than approaching employers who have never filed for this occupation.
Prevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 33-9093.00 alongside Transportation Security Screeners, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Security Screener Prevailing Wage
Security Screener Prevailing Wage
Security Screener positions fall under SOC 33-9093.00 (Transportation Security Screeners). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Transportation Security Officer (TSO) Prevailing Wage
Transportation Security Officer (TSO) Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Transportation Security Officer (TSO) for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 33-9093.00 (Transportation Security Screeners). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Transportation Security Screeners?
DOL uses Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to calculate prevailing wages for SOC 33-9093.00. The Office of Foreign Labor Certification publishes these figures through the OFLC Wage Search tool. Wages are updated annually and reflect actual employer-reported pay for Transportation Security Screeners in each surveyed metropolitan area.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which applies to me?
DOL's four levels reflect increasing skill and independence. Level 1 applies to entry-level screeners under close supervision. Level 2 covers qualified officers performing standard checkpoint duties with moderate oversight. Level 3 reflects experienced screeners handling complex situations with limited supervision. Level 4 applies to senior or lead officers exercising significant independent judgment. Your level should match the actual duties and supervision described in your job offer, not simply your years of service.
Why does the prevailing wage for this role vary so much from city to city?
DOL calculates prevailing wages using regional Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data, so each metropolitan area produces its own wage floor based on what local employers actually pay. For visa sponsorship purposes, the worksite location listed on the LCA controls which metro's wage applies, not where the employer is headquartered. Dense airport markets with high costs of living, such as San Jose or San Francisco, consistently produce higher floors than smaller metro areas.
What happens if a sponsored offer falls below the prevailing wage for Transportation Security Screeners?
An employer cannot certify a Labor Condition Application if the offered wage is below the applicable prevailing wage for the worksite location and experience level. USCIS will not approve an H-1B visa or other sponsored petition without a certified LCA. If the offered salary is below the floor, the employer must increase it to at least the prevailing wage before filing, or the petition cannot proceed.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for a specific location?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool, which lets you search by SOC code 33-9093.00, occupation title, and metropolitan area to retrieve the current four-level wage figures for your worksite city. Migrate Mate also filters Transportation Security Screener listings by location, letting you identify which employers have sponsored the role in specific markets before you evaluate an offer against the DOL floor.
