Travel Agents
Travel agents sell transportation, lodging, and entertainment activities to individuals and groups planning trips.
Is travel agents a good career?
It scores 13/100 and ranks #602 of 825 occupations on pay, growth, employment and openings. Here's what the federal data says, with no editorializing.
Advantages
- No college degree typically required to enter
Possible tradeoffs
- Pays below the U.S. median wage ($50,160 vs $61,390)
- Slower-than-average projected growth (+2.2%)
What travel agents earn
Wages: BLS OEWS May 2025Pay is a range, not a number. Half of U.S. travel agents earn between $41,950 and $63,060 a year.
Best-paying states
Best-paying metros
Live travel agents jobs
No live travel agents openings yet
When the jobs.best ATS feed launches, verified travel agents openings will appear here — each shown against the $50,160 national median. Nothing here is placeholder.
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- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Outlook
- Employment is projected to grow slower than average through 2034.
Education
Travel agents typically need at least a high school diploma to enter the occupation, but employers may prefer to hire candidates who have a college degree or who have taken courses related to the travel industry.
Community colleges, vocational schools, and industry associations may offer technical training, certificates, or continuing education in professional travel planning. In addition, some 4-year colleges offer degrees in travel and tourism. Courses usually focus on reservations systems, marketing, and regulations regarding international travel.
Training
Employers in the travel industry typically provide on-the-job training that lasts at least 1 month. This training covers topics such as how to operate computer systems that are used in the industry. For example, a travel agent could be trained to work with a reservation system used by several airlines.
Licenses, certifications & registrations
Some states require travel agents to have a business license, to register with the state, or to meet other conditions. Requirements vary by state. Contact individual state licensing agencies
Although not required, some travel agents may choose to earn professional credentials.
Important qualities
Communication skills. Travel agents must listen to clients’ travel needs and offer travel advice and information that meet those needs.
Customer-service skills. Travel agents must be able to interact with clients and respond to questions and complaints in a friendly, professional manner.
Detail oriented. Travel agents must ensure that the reservations they make are for the dates, times, and locations that match travelers’ schedules.
Organizational skills. Travel agents often work on itineraries for many clients at once. Ability to keep information in order and to ensure that bills and receipts are processed in a timely manner is essential.
Sales skills. Travel agents must be able to persuade clients to buy transportation, lodging, or tours.
Related occupations
How much do travel agents make?
The national median wage is $50,160 a year, with the middle half earning between $41,950 and $63,060 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Is travel agents a good career?
On the Jobs.best index it scores 13 of 100 and ranks #602 of 825 occupations, weighing pay, growth, employment and openings. Employment is projected to change +2.2% through 2034.
What education do you need to become a travel agent?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent.
Where do travel agents earn the most?
Among states, Nevada pays the highest median ($63,400). Local pay for every state and metro is below.