Does TSA (Transportation Security Administration) pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, TSA (Transportation Security Administration) employees rate their compensation and benefits as 3.7 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at TSA (Transportation Security Administration). This rating has decreased by 3% over the last 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at TSA (Transportation Security Administration)?

56% of TSA (Transportation Security Administration) employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated TSA (Transportation Security Administration) 2.8 out of 5 for work life balance, 2.9 for culture and values and 3.5 for career opportunities.

What are the top reviewed jobs at TSA (Transportation Security Administration)?

TSO (Transportation Security Officer) (782) , Transportation Security Officer (294) , Tso (247) , TSA OFFICER (111) , Security Officer (102) , Lead Transportation Security Officer (78) , TSO Officer (61) , LTSO (52) , Officer (44) , Supervisory Transportation Security Officer (44) , Supervisor (30) , Screener (23) , Administrative Assistant (21) , Program Analyst (14) , Lead Officer (13)

What are the pros of working at TSA (Transportation Security Administration) according to real employee reviews?

"Good benefits and good for stepping up into gov work" ((in 465 reviews)); "If you have no life and are willing to work constantly then I would say the pay is good." ((in 308 reviews)); "There are some great people that work there and the experiences you get from the federal government." ((in 83 reviews)); "Coworkers are great and make the job bearable" ((in 64 reviews)); "TSA offered great job security" ((in 39 reviews))

What are the cons of working at TSA (Transportation Security Administration) according to real employee reviews?

"Poor management and work hours" ((in 335 reviews)); "Too much favoritism, if you are not liked managers will try to get rid of you." ((in 72 reviews)); "They wonder why the morale is low and people are leaving." ((in 64 reviews)); "Poor management and leadership." ((in 58 reviews)); "Many supervisors have power trips and think they are military." ((in 57 reviews))

What are employees saying about TSA (Transportation Security Administration) layoffs in 2026?

Explore Glassdoor’s employee reviews to understand what current and former employees are saying about TSA (Transportation Security Administration) layoffs and their outlook for job security at TSA (Transportation Security Administration) in 2026.

What TSA (Transportation Security Administration) locations have received the highest employee ratings?

Springfield , San Juan , Louisville , Jackson , Tampa , Washington

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TSA (Transportation Security Administration)

TSA (Transportation Security Administration) reviews

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3.4

56% would recommend to a friend

(2,917 total reviews)

David P. Pekoske

64% approve of CEO

45% positive business outlook

Ratings by category

3.7

Compensation and benefits

3.5

Diversity & inclusion

3.5

Career opportunities

2.9

Culture & values

2.8

Work/Life balance

2.7

Senior management

TSA (Transportation Security Administration) has an employee rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars, based on 2,917 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The TSA (Transportation Security Administration) employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Government & Public Administration industry (3.6 stars).

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

Reviews by job title

3K reviews

5.0

Dec 19, 2021

Outstanding job with Outstanding Opportunities

Supervisory transportation security officer

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Flexible Schedules, Medical Coverage, Savings Plan, Free Associates Program Great pay and Benefits, plenty of "non passenger screening opportunities"

Cons

Busy, fast paced and loud work environment.

5.0

Mar 26, 2019

Being a TSO is a good job

Transportation security officer

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Great pay with no college education required. Plenty of vacation days. Ample OT offerings, you can work 60+ hours a week and make a really nice check if you feel like it. The days go by fast because there are a lot of busy hours.

Cons

Only get a bump in pay the first year as it's not the gs scale like most government jobs. Horrible hours as airport opens at 4am and you have to be there. Takes a while to get a weekend off shift. Constant testing to assure you are doing your job.

3.0

Jan 15, 2018

Transportation Security Officer / Lead Transportation Security Officer

Lead transportation security officer

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Secure Job, Pays is low compare to cost of living. But if you have good spending / saving habits. You will survive. You must be willing to provide customer service security without violating federal TSA operating procedure. You must have thick skin to survive and thrive as you will come across all kinds of good and bad mannered people and co-workers. You are honest, hard working, love this country, want to ensure safety and security of traveling public, and enjoy working around people you will like this occupation. You will meet some amazing leaders, peers and traveling public whom may inspire you. Stepping stone to join other agencies such as CBP, ICE, FBI, CIA, SSI, etc.

Cons

People who are in-charge of making policies and rules have not worked a day at a screening location, so policies are always changing every few years. TSA agents and Passengers have to suffer through long-lines. Only Federal agency that is not on G-pay band scale, and budget is not part of DOD. Since 9/11 airlines business has grown, which means more passengers and luggage to screen but TSA Budget never seems to be able to hire enough agents to meet the demand..

Viewing 1 - 3 of 2,917 Reviews

Jobs at TSA (Transportation Security Administration)

Transportation Security Officer

Transportation Security Officer

Transportation Security Officer

Transportation Security Officer

Hilton Head Island, SC

$41K - $57K /yr

(Employer provided)

View job

Transportation Security Officer

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Outstanding job with Outstanding Opportunities

Being a TSO is a good job

Transportation Security Officer / Lead Transportation Security Officer

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