During the government shutdown, airport security screeners who were working without pay saw significant improvements in their economic situation compared to the extended shutdown in 2019.
According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for TSA screeners skyrocketed from $42,310 in 2019 to $61,840 in 2024. In the 2024 fiscal year, TSA received over 300,000 job applications, reaching a historic high.
Despite going without pay for a month, TSA employees of the Transportation Security Administration may choose to stay on longer during this government shutdown due to higher salaries and improved working conditions. In the previous shutdown, some screeners opted to resign and seek jobs in fast food, construction, and other industries for better income.
Neal Gosman, the financial director of AFGE Local 899 in Minnesota, mentioned that with the increased wages, people are more committed to their jobs now. TSA workers had previously faced low salaries and limited job protection, leading to higher turnover rates.
Tyler Ditmar, a TSA official in Ohio, expressed his difficulty in leaving due to his salary and the competitive job market despite considering returning to the private sector. During the 31st day of the 2019 shutdown, 10% of TSA employees took sick leave, three times the normal absence rate.
While there is no specific data yet for this period, wait times for security screenings have been increasing, causing issues at multiple airports. LaGuardia Airport, JFK Airport in New York, and San Diego Airport reported average wait times for passengers nearing an hour. Houston Airport even experienced queues exceeding three hours, with crowds extending onto sidewalks.
In 2023, former TSA Administrator David Pekoske mentioned that pay raises played a crucial role in increasing employee retention and recruitment rates. Applications for all TSA positions increased by 30%.
Employee stability has significantly improved, with the overall turnover rate decreasing from 15.7% in 2022 to 11.5% in 2023, and further dropping to 7.8% in 2024. A 30-year-old TSA screener at LaGuardia Airport in New York stated that her annual salary increased from around $50,000 in 2023 to about $60,000 (excluding regional allowances). She noted a low turnover rate at her airport since the government shutdown.
Frank, a TSA officer from Florida, stated, “I know we will eventually receive pay, so I come to work every day. Everyone in our unit is still working regularly, and I have not heard of any changes in this situation.”