Make and confirm reservations for transportation or lodging, or sell transportation tickets. May check baggage and direct passengers to designated concourse, pier, or track; deliver tickets and contact individuals and groups to inform them of package tours; or provide tourists with travel or transportation information.
Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks
SOC: 43-4181 O*NET: 43-4181.00
Median Salary
$41,460
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 2.8%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
14.4
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Make and confirm reservations for transportation or lodging, or sell transportation tickets. May check baggage and direct passengers to designated concourse, pier, or track; deliver tickets and contact individuals and groups to inform them of package tours; or provide tourists with travel or transportation information.
What does a Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$34,550
10th percentile
Early Career
$37,200
25th percentile
Median
$41,460
50th percentile
Experienced
$54,930
75th percentile
Top Earners
$75,050
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$34,550
25th
$37,200
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$41,460
Mean: $47,720
75th
$54,930
90th
$75,050
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $40,500 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $37,200 and $54,930
- •Salary spread is 42.8% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 127,440 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:131,900
Top Industries
Air Transportation61.3%
Scheduled Air Transportation61.1%
Administrative and Support Services15.4%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+2.8%
Annual Openings:14,400
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)131,900
Current
2034 (Projected)135,600
+2.8%
+3,700
Employment Change
+2.8%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
Texas
20,450 jobs$46,5501.79x
Florida
17,540 jobs$37,8302.16x
California
14,010 jobs$46,5400.94x
Georgia
8,110 jobs$41,4302.02x
Illinois
6,650 jobs$45,0001.33x
New York
6,300 jobs$41,4600.80x
North Carolina
3,780 jobs$52,7400.93x
Utah
3,530 jobs$37,5402.50x
Pennsylvania
3,490 jobs$37,1900.70x
Washington
3,230 jobs$47,1101.10x
Colorado
3,220 jobs$46,4201.35x
Arizona
3,020 jobs$41,3201.14x
Virginia
2,830 jobs$46,4400.84x
Nevada
2,630 jobs$38,9702.08x
New Jersey
2,620 jobs$37,3600.75x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Speaking
100%
#2
Service Orientation
94%
#3
Active Listening
86%
#4
Social Perceptiveness
80%
#5
Reading Comprehension
74%
#6
Critical Thinking
66%
#7
Persuasion
60%
#8
Writing
54%
#9
Coordination
46%
#10
Judgment and Decision Making
40%
Skills Overview
Speaking
advanced5.0
100%
Service Orientation
advanced4.7
94%
Active Listening
intermediate4.3
86%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate4.0
80%
Reading Comprehension
basic3.7
74%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.3
66%
Persuasion
intermediate3.0
60%
Writing
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Speaking
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Service Orientation
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Persuasion
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Writing
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Coordination
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Opticians, Dispensing100%
5 shared skills
Registered Nurses82%
5 shared skills
Advertising Sales Agents82%
5 shared skills
Community Health Workers82%
5 shared skills
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers82%
5 shared skills
Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Service Orientation
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
Learn on the Job:
- →Persuasion
- →Writing
- →Critical Thinking
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Service Orientation
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Service Orientation
- ★Active Listening
- ★Social Perceptiveness
- ★Reading Comprehension
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Access
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Access
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Planning & Development (2)General Responsibilities (15)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)Management & Supervision (2)
1
Plan routes, itineraries, and accommodation details, and compute fares and fees, using schedules, rate books, and computers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development100% perform100%
2
Make and confirm reservations for transportation and accommodations, using telephones, faxes, mail, and computers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Prepare customer invoices and accept payment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping94% perform96%
4
Answer inquiries regarding information, such as schedules, accommodations, procedures, or policies.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Assemble and issue required documentation, such as tickets, travel insurance policies, or itineraries.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Determine whether space is available on travel dates requested by customers, assigning requested spaces when available.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Inform clients of essential travel information, such as travel times, transportation connections, or medical and visa requirements.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Maintain computerized inventories of available passenger space and provide information on space reserved or available.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping79% perform86%
9
Confer with customers to determine their service requirements and travel preferences.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Examine passenger documentation to determine destinations and to assign boarding passes.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on planning & development activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks professionals typically have a CSE Holland code and highly value relationships
CConventional
SSocial
EEnterprising
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks
Self-Control
CriticalSelf-Control
Importance Level4.84
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.74
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.72
Cooperation
CriticalCooperation
Importance Level4.70
Stress Tolerance
CriticalStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.55
Social Orientation
Very ImportantSocial Orientation
Importance Level4.43
Complete Work Styles Profile
Self-Control
4.8
Dependability
4.7
Attention to Detail
4.7
Cooperation
4.7
Stress Tolerance
4.5
Social Orientation
4.4
Integrity
4.4
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.3
Concern for Others
4.1
Persistence
3.8
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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