Career Profile • 41-3041

Travel agents

Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent. 2025 median annual wage: $50160. Projected employment change, 2025–35: 0.2%.

Travel agents career field illustration
Typical EducationHigh school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage$50,160
Projected Growth0.2%
Annual Openings5.9
Employment, 202561.5
Projected Employment, 203561.7
Related ExperienceNone
On-the-Job TrainingModerate-term on-the-job training
Skills That Matter

Top Skills for This Career

BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.

1
Detail oriented

Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.

2
Customer service

Understanding customer needs and providing helpful, professional service.

3
Computers and information technology

Using computers, software, digital systems, and technology to complete work and solve problems.

How do these skills connect to you?Use Hear From ED to reflect on your strengths, interests and work preferences.Explore with ED →
Education & Training Pathway

How Do You Prepare for This Career?

BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.

🎓Typical Entry EducationHigh school diploma or equivalent
🧰On-the-Job TrainingModerate-term on-the-job training
💼Related ExperienceNone

How to Become One

A high school diploma typically is required for someone to become a travel agent. However, employers may prefer to hire candidates who have sales experience or relevant certification or education. Good communication and customer service skills are essential. PayThe median annual wage for travel agents was $50,160 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of travel agents is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035. Despite limited employment growth, about 5,900 openings for travel agents are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for travel agents. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of travel agents with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about travel agents by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

Your Next Step

Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.

Explore Training Options
Earnings

Pay

The median annual wage for travel agents was $50,160 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of travel agents is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035. Despite limited employment growth, about 5,900 openings for travel agents are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for travel agents. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of travel agents with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about travel agents by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

$50,1602025 median annual wage
Future Outlook

Job Outlook

Employment of travel agents is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035. Despite limited employment growth, about 5,900 openings for travel agents are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for travel agents. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of travel agents with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about travel agents by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

What They Do

Travel agents sell transportation, lodging, and entertainment activities to individuals and groups planning trips.

Work Environment

Travel agents typically spend much of their day sitting, working on the phone and on the computer. Most travel agents work for travel agencies; many are self-employed.

How to Become a Travel Agent

A high school diploma typically is required for someone to become a travel agent. However, employers may prefer to hire candidates who have sales experience or relevant certification or education. Good communication and customer service skills are essential.

Pay

The median annual wage for travel agents was $50,160 in May 2025.

Job Outlook

Employment of travel agents is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035.

Despite limited employment growth, about 5,900 openings for travel agents are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

State & Area Data

Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for travel agents.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of travel agents with similar occupations.

More Information, Including Links to O*NET

Learn more about travel agents by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

Work Environment

Travel agents typically spend much of their day sitting, working on the phone and on the computer. Most travel agents work for travel agencies; many are self-employed.

How to Become a Travel Agent

A high school diploma typically is required for someone to become a travel agent. However, employers may prefer to hire candidates who have sales experience or relevant certification or education. Good communication and customer service skills are essential.

Pay

The median annual wage for travel agents was $50,160 in May 2025.

Job Outlook

Employment of travel agents is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035.

Despite limited employment growth, about 5,900 openings for travel agents are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

State & Area Data

Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for travel agents.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of travel agents with similar occupations.

More Information, Including Links to O*NET

Learn more about travel agents by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

State & Area Data

Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for travel agents.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of travel agents with similar occupations.

More Information, Including Links to O*NET

Learn more about travel agents by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

More Information

Learn more about travel agents by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

Take the Next Step

Explore Training Options

Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.

Explore pathway →

Search Jobs

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Hear From ED

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Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.

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