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Transportation Security Screeners

The short answer

This job is less likely to change much. Most of the work is the kind AI can't help with. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to shrink over the next decade, with about 445 openings expected each year.

Step 1

Where your job stands

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the second least exposed fifth for how much AI could touch it. Most of what it involves isn't the kind of work AI can take over.

How much AI could touch this job

Less exposedband 2 of 5
least exposedmost exposed

Looking at the job itself, AI could help with about a quarter of this job's tasks.

What this means

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the second least exposed fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.

Step 2

What AI can and can’t help with in this job

This job is in the second least exposed fifth of New York jobs for AI exposure. The tasks below show why: most of what it involves is work AI can't simply take over.

AI can help with or automate about 54% of the tasks in this job.

Tasks AI can help with or automate

  1. Inspect carry-on items, using x-ray viewing equipment, to determine whether items contain objects that warrant further investigation.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  2. View images of checked bags and cargo, using remote screening equipment, and alert baggage screeners or handlers to any possible problems.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  3. Check passengers' tickets to ensure that they are valid, and to determine whether passengers have designations that require special handling, such as providing photo identification.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  4. Test baggage for any explosive materials, using equipment such as explosive detection machines or chemical swab systems.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  5. Decide whether baggage that triggers alarms should be searched or should be allowed to pass through.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

Tasks AI can't do much of

  1. Search carry-on or checked baggage by hand when it is suspected to contain prohibited items such as weapons.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  2. Perform pat-down or hand-held wand searches of passengers who have triggered machine alarms, who are unable to pass through metal detectors, or who have been randomly identified for such searches.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  3. Notify supervisors or other appropriate personnel when security breaches occur.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  4. Send checked baggage through automated screening machines, and set bags aside for searching or rescreening as indicated by equipment.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  5. Follow those who breach security until police or other security personnel arrive to apprehend them.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

Step 3

Jobs you could switch to

If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.

See related jobs in

The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.

  • Flight Attendants

    Very similar work
    +75% pay1,219 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 75% more—$129,423 vs your $73,834 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, with less than 5 years of experience, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Public Safety and Security
    • Problem Sensitivity
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Speech Recognition

    New skills to build

    • Geography
    • Computers and Electronics
    • Sales and Marketing
    • Psychology
    • Personnel and Human Resources
  • Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity

    Somewhat similar work
    +17% pay3,323 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 17% more—$86,327 vs your $73,834 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Public Safety and Security
    • Far Vision
    • Selective Attention
    • Problem Sensitivity

    New skills to build

    • Transportation
    • Spatial Orientation
    • Peripheral Vision
    • Night Vision
    • Response Orientation
  • Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters

    Somewhat similar work
    +11% pay720 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 11% more—$81,747 vs your $73,834 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Public Safety and Security
    • Problem Sensitivity
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Oral Expression
    • Near Vision

    New skills to build

    • Transportation
    • Mechanical
    • Time Management
    • Chemistry
    • Spatial Orientation