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Travel agent: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 23, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$50,160median pay per year, or $24.11 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $34,610lowest 10% earn less
  2. $41,95025th percentile
  3. $50,160median
  4. $63,06075th percentile
  5. $76,660top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

A travel agent earned a median of $50,160 a year in May 2025[1]. A high school diploma is the typical entry level, and employment is projected to grow 0.2% from 2025 to 2035[2][3].

Job growth, 2025–35
+0.2%[3]
Openings per year
5,900[6]
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent[2]

How much do travel agents make?

The median pay for travel agents was $50,160 a year, or $24.11 an hour, in May 2025[1]. Half of travel agents earned more and half earned less. The mean (average) was $54,660 a year, or $26.28 an hour[7].

For all occupations in the US, the median annual wage was $50,980[5]. So travel agent pay sits a little below the all-occupations median.

The range is wide. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $34,610 a year, and the lowest-paid 25% earned less than $41,950[4]. At the top, the highest-paid 25% earned more than $63,060 and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $76,660[4]. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[8].

In hourly terms, the 10th percentile was $16.64, the 25th was $20.17, the 75th was $30.32 and the 90th was $36.86[9].

These figures cover wage and salary workers only. They leave out the self-employed, and they do not include benefits or nonproduction bonuses[10]. About 12% of travel agents were self-employed in 2025[11].

Pay by state and city

Nevada had the highest median wage for travel agents at $63,400 a year[12]. The District of Columbia ($61,560), Montana ($61,330), New Jersey ($61,090) and Connecticut ($60,640) came next[12]. South Carolina had the lowest median among the places with published data, at $34,560[12].

Florida had the most jobs, at 9,430[13]. California (4,760), Texas (4,310), New York (3,180) and Georgia (2,300) followed[13].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT had the highest median at $62,870[14]. Salt Lake City-Murray, UT ($60,580) and Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX ($60,310) were next[14]. The metro area with the most jobs was Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL, with 4,560 jobs and a median of $50,720[15]. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ had 3,610 jobs and a median of $58,430[15].

Show median pay in 48 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
Nevada[12]$63,400n/a
District of Columbia$61,560160
Montana$61,330200
New Jersey$61,0901,660
Connecticut$60,640650
Vermont$60,560120
Rhode Island$59,790250
Oregon$56,810620
Utah$56,670440
Colorado$56,5701,100
Massachusetts$56,4501,810
North Carolina$56,1801,250
Tennessee$55,640540
New York$55,5803,180
Washington$55,2601,710
Kansas$53,600250
Arizona$51,8001,100
California$51,0304,760
Florida$50,0609,430
Nebraska$49,690240
Texas$49,5004,310
Kentucky$49,370220
Maryland$49,160360
Illinois$49,0902,120
Mississippi$49,050160
Georgia$48,8802,300
Indiana$48,530640
Idaho$48,110220
Wyoming$48,03050
Pennsylvania$47,7201,470
Alaska$47,650190
Alabama$47,640380
Hawaii$47,560580
Minnesota$47,260890
New Hampshire$47,190130
Wisconsin$47,080810
Michigan$46,2501,150
Ohio$46,0001,140
Missouri$45,4601,500
Iowa$45,440290
Virginia$45,2601,050
West Virginia$44,760250
North Dakota$44,740150
New Mexico$44,700120
South Dakota$44,510200
Oklahoma$36,980600
Arkansas$36,600180
Louisiana$35,970310
South Carolina$34,560680

How to become a travel agent

The typical path is short. BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent for entry, no work experience in a related job, and moderate-term on-the-job training[2].

1) Finish high school. A diploma is the usual requirement[16]. Employers may prefer people with a college degree or with courses related to the travel industry[17]. 2) Consider extra training. Community colleges, vocational schools and industry associations may offer certificates or courses in travel planning, and some 4-year colleges offer travel and tourism degrees[18]. These courses usually cover reservation systems, marketing and rules for international travel[18]. 3) Build related experience. Some employers like sales experience or a lot of travel experience[19]. Agencies may also favor agents who focus on certain destinations or types of travelers[19]. 4) Complete on-the-job training. Employers in the travel industry typically train new agents for at least 1 month, including how to use industry computer systems[20]. 5) Check your state's rules. Some states require a business license or registration, or set other conditions[21]. The rules vary by state[21].

Professional credentials are not required, though some agents choose to earn them[22].

In an O*NET survey of 21 workers, 37% said an associate's degree was the required education level, 31% said a high school diploma or equivalent, 14% said a bachelor's degree and 11% said a post-secondary certificate[23]. The survey is small, so treat it as a sample of opinions.

Skills that BLS highlights are communication, customer service, attention to detail, organization and sales[24][25][26][27][28].

What travel agents do

Travel agents plan and sell transportation and places to stay for customers[29]. They may also arrange itineraries and sell tour packages, and they may help clients who run into travel problems[29]. Typical tasks include:

Where they work

In 2025, 72% of travel agents worked in travel arrangement and reservation services[31]. Much of the day is spent sitting, on the phone and at a computer[32]. Travel emergencies and sudden schedule changes can bring stress[32].

Full-time work is the usual schedule, and part-time work is common[33]. Some agents put in extra hours during busy travel periods or when clients need last-minute changes[33].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of travel agents to grow 0.2% from 2025 to 2035, from about 61,500 to 61,700 jobs, a change of +100[3]. For all occupations, the projected growth is 3.5%[34]. These counts include self-employed workers[3].

Even with flat growth, about 5,900 openings a year are projected on average from 2025 to 2035[6]. Openings include jobs that come up when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 4.3% of travel agents leave the labor force and 5.2% move to a different occupation[35].

The 55,110 jobs in the wage data and the roughly 61,500 in the projections are different measures[36][3]. The wage count covers wage and salary jobs only[36], while the projection count includes the self-employed[3].

Is it a good fit?

The facts describe a job with a low barrier to entry. A high school diploma is typical, no related experience is needed, and employer training lasts at least 1 month[2][20]. Pay was close to the all-occupations median[1][5], with a wide spread from the 10th to the 90th percentile[4]. Much of the day is spent at a desk, on the phone and on the computer, with stress possible when travel plans go wrong[32]. Total job growth is projected to be small[3], though openings from retirements and job changes are projected to continue[6]. Someone weighing the job may want to check their own state's licensing rules[21].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[37].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a travel agent make an hour?
The median wage for travel agents was $24.11 an hour in May 2025, and the mean was $26.28 an hour[1][7]. The 10th percentile was $16.64 and the 90th percentile was $36.86[9].
What degree do you need to be a travel agent?
BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry education[2]. Employers may prefer candidates with a college degree or travel industry courses[17].
How long does it take to become a travel agent?
Employers in the travel industry typically provide on-the-job training that lasts at least 1 month[20]. BLS lists no related work experience as needed[2].
Is travel agent a growing job?
BLS projects 0.2% growth from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[3][34]. About 5,900 openings a year are projected, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations[6].
What is the highest paying state for travel agents?
Nevada had the highest median wage at $63,400 a year in May 2025[12]. The District of Columbia was next at $61,560[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Travel Agents in the US was $50,160 per year and $24.11 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Travel Agents: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Travel Agents is projected to grow 0.2% from 2025 to 2035, from about 61,500 to 61,700 jobs (a change of +100). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Travel Agents: 10th percentile $34,610, 25th percentile $41,950, 75th percentile $63,060, 90th percentile $76,660. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 5,900 openings for Travel Agents are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Travel Agents was $54,660 per year and $26.28 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Travel Agents: 10th percentile $16.64, 25th percentile $20.17, 75th percentile $30.32, 90th percentile $36.86. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS Employment Projections: 12% of Travel Agents were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  12. Median annual wage for Travel Agents in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Travel Agents jobs: Florida 9,430; California 4,760; Texas 4,310; New York 3,180; Georgia 2,300. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Travel Agents (areas with at least 100 jobs): Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT $62,870; Salt Lake City-Murray, UT $60,580; Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $60,310; Raleigh-Cary, NC $59,860; Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $59,820; Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT $59,140; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $58,890; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $58,760. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Travel Agents jobs: Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL 4,560 (median $50,720); New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 3,610 (median $58,430); Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL 2,190 (median $48,680); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 2,160 (median $50,440); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 1,740 (median $49,160); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 1,600 (median $48,880). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Other Experience. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. O*NET 41-3041.00 survey of workers (21 respondents), education level they say is required: Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 37%, High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 31%, Bachelor's Degree 14%, Post-Secondary Certificate 11%, Some College Courses 6% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. O*NET description of Travel Agents. O*NET OnLine
  30. O*NET task list for Travel Agents. O*NET OnLine
  31. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of travel agents in 2025: Travel arrangement and reservation services 72%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  35. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Travel Agents: 4.3% of workers leave the labor force each year and 5.2% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  36. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 55,110 people were employed as Travel Agents in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  37. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.