Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks fall under the Office and Administrative Support category in the U.S. occupational classification. Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks earn a median salary of $41,460 per year, ranking in the top 82% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +2.8% job growth through 2034, projected to grow slower than the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, certifications, or postsecondary credentials, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks earn?

The median annual wage for reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks is $41,460. That puts reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks at #664 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks is +2.8%, projected to grow slower than the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 131K positions in 2024 to 135K in 2034, a net change of 4K. Flat growth typically reflects a mature, stable field. Most openings will come from retirements rather than new positions, which can favor candidates with strong networks and willingness to relocate.

What do reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Check baggage and cargo and direct passengers to designated locations for loading.
2. 2.Announce arrival and departure information, using public address systems.
3. 3.Provide boarding or disembarking assistance to passengers needing special assistance.
4. 4.Confer with customers to determine their service requirements and travel preferences.
5. 5.Determine whether space is available on travel dates requested by customers, assigning requested spaces when available.
6. 6.Plan routes, itineraries, and accommodation details, and compute fares and fees, using schedules, rate books, and computers.
7. 7.Trace lost, delayed, or misdirected baggage for customers.
8. 8.Assemble and issue required documentation, such as tickets, travel insurance policies, or itineraries.

Top skills for reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerk?

Many reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks enter the field with a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, though employers increasingly favor candidates with certifications or some postsecondary coursework. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants
  $74,260 median
• First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers
  $66,140 median
• Brokerage Clerks
  $62,940 median
• Postal Service Clerks
  $61,630 median
• Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks
  $57,770 median
• Postal Service Mail Carriers
  $57,490 median

Common questions parents ask about reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks