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Tsa Inspector Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Tsa Inspector information

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$24.5K

$54.9K

$99K

How much do tsa inspector jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for tsa inspector in the United States is $54,939.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38,500.00 and $63,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Are TSA agents getting $10,000?

TSA agents' salaries vary based on experience, location, and pay scale, but it is uncommon for TSA inspector salaries to reach $10,000 per month or more. Most TSA inspectors earn between $40,000 and $70,000 annually, with higher salaries possible for senior or supervisory roles. Overtime and benefits can increase total compensation but generally do not bring monthly earnings to $10,000.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a TSA Inspector, and why are they important?

To thrive as a TSA Inspector, you need a solid understanding of security regulations, investigative techniques, and relevant federal laws, usually supported by a background in law enforcement or security. Familiarity with X-ray imaging systems, security screening equipment, and government databases is essential for effective inspections and incident documentation. Strong observational skills, attention to detail, and clear communication are crucial soft skills for ensuring compliance and addressing security concerns. These abilities are vital for maintaining national security, enforcing regulations, and ensuring safe air travel environments.

What are TSA Inspectors?

TSA Inspectors are federal employees who work for the Transportation Security Administration to ensure the security and compliance of transportation systems, primarily at airports. They conduct inspections, investigations, and audits of transportation facilities and operations to enforce regulations and standards. Their responsibilities include monitoring security procedures, assessing vulnerabilities, and ensuring that transportation operators follow federal security requirements. TSA Inspectors play a vital role in protecting the public and maintaining the safety of the nation's transportation infrastructure.

Is it hard to get hired as a TSA officer?

Becoming a TSA officer involves a competitive application process that includes background checks, fingerprinting, and passing a structured assessment. Candidates typically need to meet specific requirements such as age, education, and physical fitness, and may undergo training before starting the job. The hiring process can be thorough but is designed to select qualified individuals for security roles at transportation hubs.

Are TSA inspectors getting paid?

TSA inspectors are paid a salary that varies based on experience, location, and federal pay scales, typically starting at the GS-5 or GS-7 level. They receive regular wages, benefits, and may earn overtime pay depending on their work schedule. The position often requires background checks and security clearances, with pay structured according to federal government standards.

What is the difference between Tsa Inspector vs Transportation Security Officer?

AspectTsa InspectorTransportation Security Officer
CertificationsSecurity clearance, TSA certificationsSecurity clearance, TSA certifications
Work EnvironmentAirport security checkpoints, baggage screeningAirport security checkpoints, passenger screening
Employer & IndustryTransportation Security Administration, airportsTransportation Security Administration, airports
Job FocusInspecting baggage, verifying security compliancePassenger screening, ensuring safety protocols

Both Tsa Inspectors and Transportation Security Officers work within airport security, often performing overlapping duties such as baggage and passenger screening. Tsa Inspectors typically focus on inspecting baggage and security compliance, while Transportation Security Officers primarily handle passenger screening. Both roles require TSA certifications and work in similar environments, but their specific responsibilities differ slightly based on their focus areas.

How to become a TSA inspector?

To become a TSA inspector, candidates must pass a background check, complete TSA training, and meet age and physical requirements. Applicants typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and should demonstrate good communication and customer service skills. The hiring process includes interviews and assessments to evaluate suitability for security screening roles.

What are some common challenges TSA Inspectors face during airport security operations?

TSA Inspectors often encounter challenges such as handling high-pressure situations, adapting to constantly evolving security protocols, and efficiently managing time during busy travel periods. They must maintain attention to detail while screening passengers and baggage, and occasionally diffuse tense interactions with travelers. Collaboration with other law enforcement agencies and airport staff is frequent, requiring strong communication and teamwork skills to ensure safety and regulatory compliance.
More about Tsa Inspector jobs
What cities are hiring for Tsa Inspector jobs? Cities with the most Tsa Inspector job openings:
What states have the most Tsa Inspector jobs? States with the most job openings for Tsa Inspector jobs include:
Supervisory Transportation Security Specialist

Supervisory Transportation Security Specialist

Transportation Security Administration

Springfield, VA • On-site, Remote

$169K - $205K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 22 days ago


Transportation Security Administration rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 234 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

131st of 279 rated public sector bodies


Job description

Summary
The Special Operations Division is responsible for conducting targeted, intelligence-driven, adversary-emulation covert testing to assess systemic vulnerabilities to current and emerging threats. Their focus is to conduct a limited number of tests over a short period of time to determine where the enterprise may be vulnerable.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
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The Supervisory Transportation Security Specialist position is located Inspections, Special Operations Division, Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Duties include but are not limited to:
Duties include:
  • Provides overall leadership and supervision for the division, including planning, communicating vision and objectives, setting priorities, managing budget and resources, recruiting and developing staff, approving leave, and taking corrective/disciplinary actions. Ensures workforce alignment with organizational goals and manages a multi-sector workforce.
  • Directs and oversees complex security-related programs and projects that cross organizational lines, including project design, operational reviews, audits, and covert testing. Ensures alignment with TSA strategic objectives and risk management practices.
  • Leads the planning and coordination of exceptionally complicated reviews, evaluations, and covert testing. Measures and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of TSA operations, recommends policy changes, and assists in issuing complex reports with findings and recommendations impacting regional and agency-wide operations.
  • Identifies vulnerabilities and weaknesses in programs, informs senior leadership, and drives performance improvement. Develops and implements enterprise risk management strategies, prioritizes testing objectives, and justifies capital investments.
  • Provides oversight and direction for independent reviews, inspections, and testing of operational programs, procedures, and policies across TSA offices, including Federal Air Marshal Service, Federal Security Directors, and Headquarters.
  • Conducts and oversees research into highly complex projects and policy areas. Develops analytical frameworks and methodologies, manages presentations for TSA leadership, and provides high-level recommendations for policy changes impacting operations.
  • Maintains regular contact with senior leadership, peers, and subordinate managers to discuss operations, project status, and future planning. Represents the division in internal and external meetings, ensuring clear and convincing communication of program objectives and findings.

Supervisory/Managerial duties includes serving as a first line supervisor for the organization. This includes but is not limited to: assigning work, setting priorities, and reviewing and evaluating work and performance of subordinates; approving leave; coaching and developing employees; recommending corrective or disciplinary actions; assisting in budget planning and projecting short-term needs; managing projects within assigned resources; resolving routine problems that typically impact the objectives of the organizational unit; and when required, coordinating with customers outside the immediate organization.
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
  1. You must possess U.S. Citizenship or be a U.S. National.
  2. You must have reached the minimum age (18) at the time of application.
  3. Selective Service registration is required.
  4. Must pass pre-employment drug screening AND random drug/alcohol testing.
  5. You must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret Clearance with SCI access.
  6. You must complete a favorable Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI).

Supervisory/Managerial Probationary Period Requirements: Unless previously completed, you must satisfactorily complete a one-year supervisory probationary period to continue in this supervisory/managerial position.
If you fail to meet the conditions of employment or any other pre-employment requirements, such as missing any of the scheduled appointments, the hiring agency may rescind their tentative offer of employment.
Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for TSA to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.
Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance, and Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.
Qualifications
To qualify for the SV-K Pay Band (equivalent to GS-15), you must have one year of specialized experience at the SV-J or GS-14 in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector. Specialized experience is defined as experience that has equipped you with the knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience is defined as:
  • Identifying, evaluating, and prioritizing risks associated with assessments and inspections; implementing controls to mitigate risk AND
  • Revising policy documents, including guidance, amendments to complex security directives, security programs and regulations; AND
  • Identifying analytical techniques and methodologies for research and evaluation of complex projects.

Credit for experience is given based on a 40-hour workweek. Part-time experience is credited on a part-time ratio, i.e., working 20 hours per week for two months equals one month of experience. No additional credit is given for overtime.
National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.
Resumes must include the following:
  1. Narrative description of duties with start and end dates (including the month and year) for work experience.
  2. State the number of hours worked in a position (i.e. full-time or part-time). If part-time, state the total number of hours worked per week.
  3. Performance level (i.e. band or grade)

You must meet the qualification requirements for this position no later than the closing date of the vacancy announcement.
Education
For positions requiring positive education requirements, or if you are using education to meet all or part of the qualification requirements, you MUST submit a copy of your transcripts or an itemized list of college courses from an accredited college or university, which includes equivalent information from the transcript (course title, semester/quarter hours, and grade/degree earned) in your resume. The information must be provided with the application by the closing date of the announcement. If selected, the applicant must supply a transcript or certification of degree.
Additional information
Eligibility to apply for other Federal positions: TSA is an Excepted Service agency exempt from most of Title 5 United States Code, including regulations which apply to displaced Federal employees (CTAP/ICTAP) of other agencies, and employment with TSA does not confer "Competitive Status" that generally results from selection and service in Competitive Service agencies. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has established an Interchange Agreement, which allows most permanent TSA employees to apply and be considered for vacancies in Competitive Service agencies. Information from OPM on this or other Interchange Agreements is available at: www.opm.gov/
To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation as a condition of placement into this position.
DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.
If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306 Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.
TSA employees who are absent for the purpose of performing military duty may apply for any vacancies announced in their absence.
More than one position may be filled from this announcement.
If you are entering TSA employment on an appointment without time limitations, you must serve a basic trial period unless you have already met the requirement.
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. (https://appsupport.usastaffing.gov/hc/en-us/sections/28980686389652-Reasonable-Accommodation-Information)
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include flexible work schedules; telework; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select "Benefits." Disabled veteran leave will be available to any Federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.
Employees who transfer to TSA from an agency that allows employees to maintain an annual leave balance higher than the maximum accumulation for the appointed position will have their leave ceiling set to the maximum accumulation for the appointed position (e.g., United States duty location - 240 hours, foreign duty location - 360 hours, or TSES position - 720 hours). TSA will not make a monetary payment for any leave forfeited under these circumstances.
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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

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