South Dakota Median
$55,530
per year
Hourly Rate
$26.70
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-17% vs US median
US median $66,770
State Rank
#42 of 45
60 employed here
How much does a Transportation Security Screener make in South Dakota?
Transportation Security Screeners in South Dakota take home a median of $55,530 annually — roughly $26.70 an hour — which runs 17% below the national median of $66,770.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $45,640 while the top 10% make $69,240 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $45,640 and $63,130 a year.
Transportation Security Screener salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,640 | $21.94 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $45,640 | $21.94 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $55,530 | $26.70 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $63,130 | $30.35 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $69,240 | $33.29 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 42nd out of 45 states and territories for Transportation Security Screener pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Transportation Security Screener salary in other states
New Hampshire $76,130New Jersey $74,400California $73,610Massachusetts $73,510Maryland $72,240New York $72,010Colorado $71,530Rhode Island $71,510Alaska $71,390Illinois $70,570Hawaii $70,160Virginia $69,910Texas $68,640Michigan $67,390Pennsylvania $67,330Minnesota $67,290Georgia $66,770Ohio $65,870Vermont $65,460North Carolina $64,540Nevada $64,500Arizona $64,330New Mexico $63,810Alabama $63,770Florida $63,130Idaho $63,130Kansas $63,130Kentucky $63,130Louisiana $63,130Maine $63,130Mississippi $63,130South Carolina $63,130West Virginia $63,130Wisconsin $63,130Nebraska $61,710Indiana $61,670Iowa $61,590Arkansas $61,110Tennessee $61,110Utah $61,110Wyoming $61,110North Dakota $54,950Montana $54,770Missouri $51,210
Working as a Transportation Security Screener in South Dakota
Nationally, about 50,000 people work as Transportation Security Screeners in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare South Dakota pay ($55,530) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Transportation Security Screener make in South Dakota?
The median Transportation Security Screener salary in South Dakota is $55,530 per year, or about $26.70 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $45,640 at the entry level to $69,240 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Transportation Security Screeners about 17% less than the national median of $66,770. South Dakota ranks 42nd out of 45 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Transportation Security Screeners?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $55,530 a year. About 60 Transportation Security Screeners are employed in South Dakota. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in South Dakota?
The highest-paying occupations in South Dakota include Radiologist ($586,010), Emergency Medicine Physician ($393,870), Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($297,610), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Transportation Security Screener salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.