Juan Santamaria airport in San Jose, CR

[kyshel]

I believe TSA agents start around $40K plus are also eligible for medical, dental and vision benefits along with a federal retirement and pension plan.

Considering most of the agents I have encountered, I have the opinion they are over paid. I also feel the taxpayer funded $8 - $9 Billion budget for the entire program is too large and growing.

I agree the total cost of TSA is too high. My info is that with overtime (limited) the starting pay scale is $11 something an hour. For 4 yrs seniority, pay goes as high as $17/hr--a typical top level officer with overtime, experience/time will make up to or just above $40K + bennies. Some airports have difficulty getting enough female employees.

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If you start at $11/hour and work a 40 hour week that is $440/week x 52 weeks = 22,880 - not much of a salary when you have to pay a portion of your salary for those medical, dental and vision plans. 2 of my neighbors work for the TSA and 1 of them has been there for 5 years and he makes less than 40,000. Not the worst salary but far from the best.
I agree the taxpayer funding is very high but I don't think a whole lot of those tax payer dollars are going to pay or recruit good TSA agents. In fact, TSA is having a staffing shortage.