Travel Agents

41-3041.00 Zone 3 — Medium Preparation Needed

Plan and sell transportation and accommodations for customers. Determine destination, modes of transportation, travel dates, costs, and accommodations required. May also describe, plan, and arrange itineraries and sell tour packages. May assist in resolving clients' travel problems.

Also known as: Auto Travel Counselor, Beach Expert, Booking Agent, Business Travel Consultant, Certified Travel Counselor, Corporate Travel Agent, Corporate Travel Consultant, Corporate Travel Counselor, ...

Annual Salary

$48,450

Median annual wage (May 2024)

$38,760 25th – 75th percentile $60,880
10th percentile $33,280
90th percentile $74,160
U.S. Employment: 59,150

Job Outlook

+2.2%

Projected growth, 2024–2034 (About average)

Annual Job Openings 7,100 per year (avg. 2024–2034)
Typical education: High school diploma or equivalent
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training

What You'd Do

  • Collect payment for transportation and accommodations from customer.
  • 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.
  • Book transportation and hotel reservations, using computer or telephone.
  • Plan, describe, arrange, and sell itinerary tour packages and promotional travel incentives offered by various travel carriers.
  • Provide customer with brochures and publications containing travel information, such as local customs, points of interest, or foreign country regulations.
  • Print or request transportation carrier tickets, using computer printer system or system link to travel carrier.
  • Record and maintain information on clients, vendors, and travel packages.

Top Skills

Active Listening 4.1
Service Orientation 4.1
Reading Comprehension 4.0
Speaking 4.0
Social Perceptiveness 3.8
Persuasion 3.6
Judgment and Decision Making 3.4
Writing 3.1

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Knowledge Areas

Customer and Personal Service 4.3
English Language 4.0
Sales and Marketing 3.9
Geography 3.4
Computers and Electronics 3.4
Administrative 3.2
Telecommunications 3.2
Transportation 3.1

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation by education level

Associate's
37.3%
High School
30.8%
Bachelor's
14.4%
Certificate
11.5%
Some College
6.1%

Technology & Tools

Software and tools commonly used in this role

In-Demand Technologies

Intuit QuickBooks Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Word SAP Concur Zoom

Other Tools

Amadeus CRS Apollo Reservation System Colibripms Software Colibri DataSwell Galor Travel Booster Global distribution system GDS software Globekey Agentkey Illusions Online Illusions OnDemand IMS Travel Agent Reservation Software System MGHworld Travel Agents Orbitz Worldwide Orbitz for Agents Rezdy booking software Rezgo online booking software Rezopia Sabre Airline Solutions SabreSonic Customer Sales & Service +6 more

Work Styles

Personality traits and work styles important for this career

2.4
Social Orientation
2.3
Dependability
2.2
Attention to Detail
2.0
Cooperation
1.8
Integrity
1.6
Optimism
1.6
Adaptability

Key Abilities

Cognitive, physical, and sensory abilities important for this role

Speech Recognition 4.1
Oral Comprehension 4.0
Speech Clarity 4.0
Written Comprehension 3.9
Oral Expression 3.9
Near Vision 3.9
Problem Sensitivity 3.5
Information Ordering 3.3

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Activities

General types of job behaviors occurring on this job

Working with Computers 4.6
Getting Information 4.6
Communicating with People Outside the Organization 4.2
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public 4.1
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships 3.9
Processing Information 3.9
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge 3.8
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates 3.8

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Environment

Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work

Telephone Conversations
5.0
E-Mail
5.0
Spend Time Sitting
4.9
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
4.8
Contact With Others
4.5
Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
4.4
Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
4.3
Written Letters and Memos
4.1
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
4.1
Freedom to Make Decisions
4.0
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
3.9
Level of Competition
3.9

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Salary data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Outlook data: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034.

This page includes information from the O*NET 30.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.