Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Short-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks help travelers arrange and manage their trips, often serving as a key point of contact before and during travel. This occupation employs about 132,000 people nationally, with a national median annual salary of $41,460. Projected employment growth of 2.8% and 14,000 annual openings suggest a range of opportunities for both new entrants and experienced workers. The role places strong emphasis on customer service, clear speaking and listening, and solid interpersonal skills. It also draws on adaptability, attention to detail, and problem solving to handle a variety of traveler needs. Comfort with computers and information technology, along with reading, writing, mathematics, and creativity, also supports success in this career. For people who enjoy working with the public and using a mix of people skills and practical problem solving, reservation and transportation ticket work can offer stable employment and room to build experience in travel- and service-oriented environments.
The national median annual salary for reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks is $41,460. Within this occupation, pay varies by location. Among the top CareerGPS states, median salaries range from $42,990 in New York to $49,420 in California, with Washington at $48,520, Colorado at $45,960, and Massachusetts at $44,230. Differences are also clear at the metro level. The San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro shows a median salary of $50,170, while San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is close behind at $49,990. The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro reports $45,210, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH reports $44,230, and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ stands at $41,600. These figures indicate that earnings can shift noticeably depending on region, making location an important factor when evaluating potential pay in this field.
Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks have national employment of about 132,000, with projected employment growth of 2.8%. This same 2.8% growth rate appears across the highlighted top states and metro areas, indicating a consistent projection for this occupation in those regions. Nationally, there are about 14,000 annual openings, reflecting a steady flow of opportunities for new workers and for those moving between employers. The combination of existing employment and projected growth suggests that this occupation should continue to offer roles for people with the right skills and interests. Because opportunities are distributed across multiple states and major metro areas, job seekers can consider both national prospects and regional differences. The presence of growth in key states like California, Massachusetts, New York, Colorado, and Washington, as well as in large metro areas such as New York-Newark-Jersey City and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, reinforces the potential for ongoing hiring in this career.
Location plays a significant role in opportunities for reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks. Among states, California stands out with a median salary of $49,420, employment of 10,580, growth of 2.8%, and a CareerGPS opportunity score of 67.38. Massachusetts and New York also rank highly, with opportunity scores of 65.87 and 65.78 and median salaries of $44,230 and $42,990, respectively. Colorado and Washington combine median salaries in the mid-to-high $40,000s with opportunity scores in the mid-50s. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ both have very high opportunity scores above 77, though San Jose shows a higher median salary of $49,990 compared with $41,600 in New York-Newark-Jersey City. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA offers a median salary of $50,170 and an opportunity score of 68.75. These differences show that both salary and opportunity scores can vary meaningfully by state and metro.
For reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks, the typical education requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent. This opens the field to people who may not have completed a college degree but are ready to build strong workplace skills. Success in this occupation relies heavily on customer service, along with clear speaking and listening and good interpersonal abilities. Adaptability and being detail oriented help agents handle reservations and travel arrangements accurately. Problem solving and decision making are important when addressing traveler concerns or unexpected issues. Comfort with computers and information technology supports work with reservation systems and digital tools. Reading and writing skills, basic mathematics, and creativity and innovation further contribute to effectiveness in the role. Together, this combination of education and skills offers a solid path into a travel- and service-focused career for individuals willing to develop strong communication and customer-facing capabilities.
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