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.
Travel Agents
SOC: 41-3041 O*NET: 41-3041.00
Median Salary
$50,160
per year
Job Growth
📉 0.2%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
5.9
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
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.
What does a Travel Agents do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$34,610
10th percentile
Early Career
$41,950
25th percentile
Median
$50,160
50th percentile
Experienced
$63,060
75th percentile
Top Earners
$76,660
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$34,610
25th
$41,950
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$50,160
Mean: $54,660
75th
$63,060
90th
$76,660
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $42,050 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $41,950 and $63,060
- •Salary spread is 42.1% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 55,110 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:61,500
Top Industries
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services83.6%
Administrative and Support Services83.6%
Travel Arrangement and Reservation Services82.4%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+0.2%
Annual Openings:5,900
Employment Projections
2025 (Current)61,500
Current
2035 (Projected)61,700
+0.2%
+100
Employment Change
+0.2%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Travel Agents professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
Florida
9,430 jobs$50,0602.68x
California
4,760 jobs$51,0300.74x
Texas
4,310 jobs$49,5000.86x
New York
3,180 jobs$55,5800.92x
Georgia
2,300 jobs$48,8801.33x
Illinois
2,120 jobs$49,0900.98x
Massachusetts
1,810 jobs$56,4501.41x
Washington
1,710 jobs$55,2601.36x
New Jersey
1,660 jobs$61,0901.09x
Missouri
1,500 jobs$45,4601.44x
Pennsylvania
1,470 jobs$47,7200.68x
North Carolina
1,250 jobs$56,1800.71x
Michigan
1,150 jobs$46,2500.74x
Ohio
1,140 jobs$46,0000.58x
Colorado
1,100 jobs$56,5701.08x
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 2025
Key Growth Factors
Standard growth expectations for this occupation
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Service Orientation
100%
#2
Customer and Personal Service
100%
#3
Speech Recognition
100%
#4
Active Listening
94%
#5
English Language
92%
#6
Oral Comprehension
92%
#7
Reading Comprehension
86%
#8
Sales and Marketing
82%
#9
Speech Clarity
82%
#10
Speaking
80%
Skills Overview
Service Orientation
advanced5.0
100%
Customer and Personal Service
advanced5.0
100%
Speech Recognition
advanced5.0
100%
Active Listening
advanced4.7
94%
English Language
advanced4.6
92%
Oral Comprehension
advanced4.6
92%
Reading Comprehension
basic4.3
86%
Sales and Marketing
intermediate4.1
82%
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:
Service Orientation
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Customer and Personal Service
advancedImportance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0
Speech Recognition
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Active Listening
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
English Language
advancedImportance92%
knowledge
4.6/5.0
Oral Comprehension
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Sales and Marketing
intermediateImportance82%
knowledge
4.1/5.0
Speech Clarity
intermediateImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Geography
intermediateImportance74%
knowledge
3.7/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Door-to-Door Sales Workers, News and Street Vendors, and Related Workers90%
5 shared skills
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers82%
5 shared skills
Travel Guides82%
5 shared skills
Advertising Sales Agents67%
5 shared skills
Bartenders67%
5 shared skills
Community Health Workers67%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Service Orientation
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Customer and Personal Service
- ✓English Language
Learn on the Job:
- →Persuasion
- →Negotiation
- →Computers and Electronics
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Service Orientation
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Customer and Personal Service
- ✓English Language
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Service Orientation
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Customer and Personal Service
- ★English Language
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 Travel Agents
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Intuit QuickBooks
🔥 Hot TechSAP Concur
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Access
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechZoom
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Intuit QuickBooks
SAP Concur
Microsoft Access
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Zoom
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
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡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 some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
8
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (6)Planning & Development (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)
1
Collect payment for transportation and accommodations from customer.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Converse with customer to determine destination, mode of transportation, travel dates, financial considerations, and accommodations required.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Compute cost of travel and accommodations, using calculator, computer, carrier tariff books, and hotel rate books, or quote package tour's costs.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Book transportation and hotel reservations, using computer or telephone.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Plan, describe, arrange, and sell itinerary tour packages and promotional travel incentives offered by various travel carriers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development88% perform92%
6
Provide customer with brochures and publications containing travel information, such as local customs, points of interest, or foreign country regulations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Print or request transportation carrier tickets, using computer printer system or system link to travel carrier.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Record and maintain information on clients, vendors, and travel packages.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping79% perform86%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •88% 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 Travel Agents
💡 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?
Travel Agents professionals typically have a ECS Holland code and highly value relationships
EEnterprising
CConventional
SSocial
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Travel Agents
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.68
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.04
Dependability
ImportantDependability
Importance Level3.66
Self-Control
ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level3.62
Achievement/Effort
ImportantAchievement/Effort
Importance Level3.54
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.7
Integrity
4.0
Dependability
3.7
Self-Control
3.6
Achievement/Effort
3.5
💡 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
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Travel Agents.
Browse Training Programs →Trade Colleges That Train for Travel Agents
Top trade colleges by completions in fields that prepare students for this career.
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN
5.3k program completions/year
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA
2.6k program completions/year
Eastern Gateway Community College
Steubenville, OH
2.5k program completions/year
Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, NC
1.9k program completions/year
Lee College
Baytown, TX
1.9k program completions/year
Connecticut State Community College
New Britain, CT
1.4k program completions/year
Pasadena City College
Pasadena, CA
1.3k program completions/year
Mt San Antonio College
Walnut, CA
1.3k program completions/year
Northern Virginia Community College
Annandale, VA
1.1k program completions/year
Los Angeles Valley College
Valley Glen, CA
1.0k program completions/year
Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA
974 program completions/year
Central Georgia Technical College
Warner Robins, GA
844 program completions/year