Travel agents
SOC Code: 41-3041Also known as:
Auto Travel Counselor, Beach Expert, Booking Agent, Business Travel Consultant, Certified Travel Counselor
Median Annual Salary
$48,450
+2.2% growth (2024-2034)
7K
Openings/Year
66K
Current Jobs
What Travel agents 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.
💰 Salary
$48,450
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
+2.2%
As fast as average
🎓 Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
7K
Projected average per year
📚 On-the-Job Training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Expected training period
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
65,700
Projected Employment (2034)
67,200
Related Careers
Counter and rental clerks
$38,540 •
+3.2% growth
Customer service representatives
$42,830 •
-5.5% growth
Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks
$41,460 •
+2.8% growth
Top Skills Required
Active Listening
Service Orientation
Reading Comprehension
Speaking
Social Perceptiveness
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- 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.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
Associate's Degree
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Travel agents
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a travel agents:
Selling Skills and Sales Operations
1,566 degrees awarded •
82 colleges offer this program
Tourism and Travel Services Marketing Operations
144 degrees awarded •
17 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Travel agents
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become travel agents.
| # | College | Location | Related Degrees | Repit Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Purdue University-Main Campus | West Lafayette, IN | 93 | B+ |
| 2 | University of Wisconsin-Madison | Madison, WI | 4 | B+ |
| 3 | Kansas State University | Manhattan, KS | 126 | B |
| 4 | University of Kentucky | Lexington, KY | 88 | B |
| 5 | Oklahoma State University-Main Campus | Stillwater, OK | 78 | B |
| 6 | Iowa State University | Ames, IA | 67 | B |
| 7 | Washington State University | Pullman, WA | 56 | B |
| 8 | Miami University-Oxford | Oxford, OH | 24 | B |
| 9 | University of Wyoming | Laramie, WY | 21 | B |
| 10 | University of Louisville | Louisville, KY | 16 | B |
| 11 | Ball State University | Muncie, IN | 13 | B |
| 12 | Bentley University | Waltham, MA | 11 | B |
| 13 | University of Nebraska-Lincoln | Lincoln, NE | 1 | B |
| 14 | University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire | Eau Claire, WI | 1 | B |
| 15 | Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1 | B |
| 16 | Weber State University | Ogden, UT | 125 | C+ |
| 17 | East Carolina University | Greenville, NC | 88 | C+ |
| 18 | Lake Land College | Mattoon, IL | 83 | C+ |
| 19 | University of Minnesota-Duluth | Duluth, MN | 48 | C+ |
| 20 | Kent State University at Kent | Kent, OH | 33 | C+ |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do travel agents make?
The median annual salary for travel agents is $48,450.
What education do travel agents need?
Most travel agents positions require a high school diploma or equivalent.
Common degree programs include Selling Skills and Sales Operations, Tourism and Travel Services Marketing Operations.
Is becoming travel agents a good career choice?
Travel agents is projected to see +2.2% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which is about average for all occupations. With approximately 7,100 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for travel agents?
Top colleges for aspiring travel agents include
Purdue University-Main Campus, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Kansas State University, University of Kentucky, Oklahoma State University-Main Campus.
These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to travel agents?
Travel agents may also be known as: Auto Travel Counselor, Beach Expert, Booking Agent, Business Travel Consultant, Certified Travel Counselor, Corporate Travel Agent, Corporate Travel Consultant, Corporate Travel Counselor, Corporate Travel Expert, Destination Specialist, Entertainment Travel Consultant, International Travel Consultant, Leisure Travel Agent, Tour Agent, Tour Coordinator, Tour Counselor, Travel Agent, Travel Consultant, Travel Coordinator, Travel Counselor.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.