What They Do
Travel Agents typically perform the following tasks:
• 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.
Career Video
Video from CareerOneStop, sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor
Key facts
Median: $48,450
Employment: 65,700
Growth (2024–2034):
+2.0%
Education:
High school diploma
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Career Intelligence Metrics
Automation Risk Assessment
Medium RiskWork-Life Balance Score
8.7/10Personality Fit (RIASEC Profile)
4.4
Realistic
5.0
Investigative
5.4
Artistic
8.0
Social
9.0
Enterprising
5.8
Conventional
Powered by O*NET Career Profiling
Personality Match: The higher the score (out of 10), the better this career matches that personality type. People with similar interests and work styles tend to be most satisfied in careers that match their personality profile.
Top Skills
Communication skills
Customer-service skills
Detail oriented
Organizational skills
Sales skills
Strengths
- High Demand
- Flexible Work
- Continuous Learning
Challenges
- Burnout Risk
- Rapid Technological Change
Median Salary Comparison
Employment projection (2024–2034)
Geographic Employment & Wage Analysis
BLS OEWS Data Updated 2024-05States with Highest Employment
- Florida 9,730
- California 5,780
- Washington 4,030
- Texas 3,840
- New York 3,100
- Illinois 2,990
- Georgia 2,240
- Arizona 2,020
- Massachusetts 1,850
- Missouri 1,830
BLS OEWS data (2024-05)
Regional Wage Variations
-
Florida -1%$47,780
-
California 0%$48,540
-
Washington +29%$62,620
-
Texas 5%$51,110
-
New York 4%$50,200
-
Illinois -2%$47,660
-
Georgia -5%$45,790
-
Arizona 2%$49,260
-
Massachusetts +12%$54,200
-
Missouri -9%$44,290
BLS OEWS state wage data
Top Metropolitan Areas
New York-Newark-Jersey City
Employment: High
Growth: +3.2%
Los Angeles-Long Beach
Employment: High
Growth: +2.8%
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
Employment: Medium
Growth: +1.5%
Dallas-Fort Worth
Employment: Medium
Growth: +4.1%
San Francisco-Oakland
Employment: High
Growth: +2.3%
Based on BLS metropolitan area data
Industries with Highest Concentrations
Travel arrangement and reservation services
85%
Regional Job Market Outlook
Strong
West Coast
Stable
Northeast
Growing
South