Travel Agents: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Travel Agents fall under the Sales and Related category in the U.S. occupational classification. Travel Agents earn a median salary of $48,450 per year, ranking in the top 67% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +2.2% 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 travel agents earn?

The median annual wage for travel agents is $48,450. That puts travel agents at #544 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 travel agents a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for travel agents is +2.2%, projected to grow slower than the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 65K positions in 2024 to 67K in 2034, a net change of 2K. 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 travel agents do every day?

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

1. 1.Record and maintain information on clients, vendors, and travel packages.
2. 2.Book transportation and hotel reservations, using computer or telephone.
3. 3.Converse with customer to determine destination, mode of transportation, travel dates, financial considerations, and accommodations required.
4. 4.Compute cost of travel and accommodations, using calculator, computer, carrier tariff books, and hotel rate books, or quote package tour's costs.
5. 5.Print or request transportation carrier tickets, using computer printer system or system link to travel carrier.
6. 6.Provide customer with brochures and publications containing travel information, such as local customs, points of interest, or foreign country regulations.
7. 7.Collect payment for transportation and accommodations from customer.
8. 8.Plan, describe, arrange, and sell itinerary tour packages and promotional travel incentives offered by various travel carriers.

Top skills for travel agents

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 travel agent?

Many travel agents 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

• Sales Engineers
  $121,520 median
• Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products
  $100,070 median
• Models
  $89,990 median
• First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers
  $84,130 median
• Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents
  $78,140 median
• Real Estate Brokers
  $72,280 median

Common questions parents ask about travel agents