Travel Agents
SOC code 41-3041 · O*NET-SOC 41-3041.00 · Medium preparation needed · Sales
Travel Agents pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$50,160
a year
Hourly
$24.11
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$54,660
$26.28 per hour
Middle 50%
$41,950 – $63,060
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$34,610 – $76,660
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
55,110
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $34,610
- $16.64/hr
- 25th percentile
- $41,950
- $20.17/hr
- Median percentile
- $50,160
- $24.11/hr
- 75th percentile
- $63,060
- $30.32/hr
- 90th percentile
- $76,660
- $36.86/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+2%
Growing about as fast as average
65,700
jobs in 2024
67,200
projected for 2034
About 1,500 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What does a travel agent do?
Plan and sell transportation and accommodations for customers. Determine destination, modes of transportation, travel dates, costs, and accommodations required. May also describe, plan, and arrange itineraries and sell tour packages. May assist in resolving clients' travel problems.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Collect payment for transportation and accommodations from customer.
- Plan, describe, arrange, and sell itinerary tour packages and promotional travel incentives offered by various travel carriers.
- Converse with customer to determine destination, mode of transportation, travel dates, financial considerations, and accommodations required.
- Compute cost of travel and accommodations, using calculator, computer, carrier tariff books, and hotel rate books, or quote package tour's costs.
- Record and maintain information on clients, vendors, and travel packages.
- Book transportation and hotel reservations, using computer or telephone.
- Print or request transportation carrier tickets, using computer printer system or system link to travel carrier.
- Provide customer with brochures and publications containing travel information, such as local customs, points of interest, or foreign country regulations.
How to become a travel agent
Most people in this role hold associate's degree or other 2-year degree — 37% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 3 — Medium preparation needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree37%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)31%
- Bachelor's Degree14%
- Post-Secondary Certificate11%
Common questions
How much does a travel agent earn?
The national median is $50,160 a year. The full range runs from $34,610 at the 10th percentile to $76,660 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a travel agent without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 3, meaning the typical entry route is most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Is travel agent in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 2% between 2024 and 2034 — growing about as fast as average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening4.1/5
- Reading Comprehension4.0/5
- Speaking4.0/5
- Writing3.1/5
- Critical Thinking3.1/5
- Active Learning3.1/5
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service4.3/5
- English Language4.0/5
- Sales and Marketing3.9/5
- Geography3.4/5
- Computers and Electronics3.4/5
- Administrative3.2/5
- Telecommunications3.2/5
- Transportation3.1/5
Transferable strengths: Service Orientation, Social Perceptiveness, Persuasion, Judgment and Decision Making.