Pay Raise Provides All Non-Executive Employees Compensation Equal to Federal Government’s General Pay Scale
WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security, through the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), has officially implemented its new Transportation Security Compensation Plan, previously referred to as “pay equity” for all TSA employees. This plan honors the commitment by Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas to invest in TSA’s workforce through a modernized pay structure comparable with their colleagues on the federal government’s General Schedule (GS) pay scale, regular step increases, and a clear progression for pay mobility and growth. Since the inception of TSA 20 years ago, the frontline workforce that keeps the American traveling public safe has been paid at a lower rate than the rest of the federal government.
“Fighting for fair pay of the TSA workforce has been one of my highest priorities and I am proud that we have accomplished this critical goal,” said Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “Pay equity is an important milestone but it is not a capstone, and I look forward to continuing to support the entire DHS workforce alongside our partners in Congress and across the Administration.”
“Ensuring that every TSA employee is paid fairly, at the same levels as our federal counterparts, has been my top priority,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske. “TSA’s new pay plan ensures this. Our ability to recruit and retain a vigilant, professional and engaged workforce has been significantly improved by the promise of equal pay, which is now a reality. I am grateful for the President, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, and Congress for supporting this effort so that we can continue to meet our mission.”
Since the announcement of the new pay plan back in December, TSA has witnessed a marked decrease in employee attrition levels and increased applicant interest across various TSA job categories.
- TSA’s new pay plan covers all TSA non-executive employees from uniformed Officers, Vetting and Intelligence Analysts, Inspectors, cybersecurity experts, Federal Air Marshals and Canine Handlers to management and administrative professionals.
- TSA’s attrition rate has dropped 61% since October 2022. Attrition rates in Fiscal Year (FY) 19 and FY22 were 18% and 19.1%, respectively.
- 96% of the new pay plan funding went to individuals who serve on the TSA frontlines, which includes Transportation Security Officers, Explosives Detection Canine Handlers, Transportation Security Inspectors and Federal Air Marshals.
In December 2022, Congress approved and President Biden signed the FY 2023 Omnibus Appropriations Act, which included funding that ensures TSA employees are paid at the same levels as their federal counterparts. On July 2, 2023, TSA officially transitioned to TSA’s Transportation Security Compensation Plan. No employee salary was reduced as a result of the pay plan. This action further enables the critical national security work that TSA employees do each day to protect the nation’s transportation systems. We look forward to working with Congress to ensure that funds are available to support this pay plan on a continuing basis.