Office & Administrative Support
Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks
Also called: Airline Ticket Agent, Airport Sales Agent, Baggage Service Agent, Corporate Travel Agent
US median pay
$44,390
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+2.5%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
11,800
120,100 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
Make and confirm reservations for transportation or lodging, or sell transportation tickets. May check baggage and direct passengers to designated concourse, pier, or track; deliver tickets and contact individuals and groups to inform them of package tours; or provide tourists with travel or transportation information.
What they do day to day
- Make and confirm reservations for transportation and accommodations, using telephones, faxes, mail, and computers.
- Confer with customers to determine their service requirements and travel preferences.
- Prepare customer invoices and accept payment.
- Answer inquiries regarding information, such as schedules, accommodations, procedures, or policies.
- Determine whether space is available on travel dates requested by customers, assigning requested spaces when available.
- Contact customers or travel agents to advise them of travel conveyance changes or to confirm reservations.
- Promote particular destinations, tour packages, and other travel services.
- Keep information facilities clean during operation.
- Open or close information facilities.
- Examine passenger documentation to determine destinations and to assign boarding passes.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Service Orientation4.0/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.6/5
- Persuasion3.2/5
- Time Management3.1/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1/5
- Coordination3.1/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.0/5
- Negotiation2.9/5
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service4.8/5
- English Language3.8/5
- Computers and Electronics3.8/5
- Public Safety and Security3.7/5
- Transportation3.5/5
- Geography3.4/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma75%
- Some college12%
Who this job suits
Mostly Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Social
Helping, teaching and caring for people
Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.