How to Become a Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerk in 2026
Median salary: $41,460 · +2.8% projected growth (2024–2034)
What does a Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerk do?
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.
Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerk Salary in 2026
The median annual salary for Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks is $41,460. The bottom 10% earn around $34,550 while the top 10% earn over $75,050.
| Experience level | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| Entry-level (P10) | $34,550 |
| Early career (P25) | $37,200 |
| Median | $41,460 |
| Experienced (P75) | $54,930 |
| Top earners (P90) | $75,050 |
Highest-paying metros
Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerk salary by state
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| North Carolinatop | $52,740 |
| New Mexico | $50,590 |
| Washington | $47,110 |
| Texas | $46,550 |
| California | $46,540 |
| Virginia | $46,440 |
| Colorado | $46,420 |
| Idaho | $45,780 |
| Indiana | $45,580 |
| Illinois | $45,000 |
| Michigan | $44,570 |
| Oklahoma | $43,900 |
| New Hampshire | $43,720 |
| Hawaii | $42,430 |
| Massachusetts | $41,970 |
| Ohio | $41,940 |
| Rhode Island | $41,900 |
| Delaware | $41,770 |
| Alaska | $41,550 |
| New York | $41,460 |
| Georgia | $41,430 |
| Arizona | $41,320 |
| Minnesota | $40,850 |
| Connecticut | $40,540 |
| Vermont | $39,660 |
| Maine | $39,590 |
| Kentucky | $39,490 |
| Maryland | $39,420 |
| Nevada | $38,970 |
| Oregon | $38,420 |
| Missouri | $38,100 |
| Florida | $37,830 |
| South Carolina | $37,630 |
| Montana | $37,610 |
| Wisconsin | $37,610 |
| Utah | $37,540 |
| Tennessee | $37,380 |
| New Jersey | $37,360 |
| Pennsylvania | $37,190 |
| Alabama | $36,460 |
| Louisiana | $36,070 |
| South Dakota | $35,910 |
| Arkansas | $35,500 |
| Nebraska | $35,490 |
| Kansas | $35,470 |
| Iowa | $34,640 |
| West Virginia | $34,590 |
| North Dakota | $33,840 |
| Mississippi | $33,530 |
How to earn more as a Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerk
The salary range for Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks spans $40,500 — from $34,550 at entry level to $75,050 for top earners. The highest-paying metro area is Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC at $54,760 — $13,300 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field.
How to get there
Typical education: High school diploma or equivalent
On-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training
Starting from high school
- Complete on-the-job training (short-term on-the-job training)
- Earn industry-recognized certifications (Microsoft Office Specialist, Certified Administrative Professional)
- Complete OSHA 10-Hour or OSHA 30-Hour safety certification ($25–$200)
- Gain 1–2 years of supervised work experience
- Advance to journeyman level or specialized role
Most entry-level positions provide on-the-job training. Look for apprenticeship programs through unions, trade associations, or the Department of Labor's ApprenticeshipUSA program. Community colleges and vocational schools offer certificate programs that can be completed in 6–12 months. OSHA safety certifications are widely valued and often required.
Many employers provide paid training. Union apprenticeships are typically paid from day one. Trade school programs may require tuition.
Switching from another career
- Assess which of your existing skills transfer (many do — see below)
- Complete a short certification or orientation program (Microsoft Office Specialist, Certified Administrative Professional)
- Apply for entry-level or apprentice positions — highlight transferable skills
- Complete any required on-the-job training (often shortened for experienced workers)
- Advance faster than new entrants using your professional experience
Career changers are in demand across this field. Your existing professional skills — problem-solving, communication, time management, and work ethic — are valued by employers even if your technical skills are new. Many organizations offer orientation programs or short certification courses designed specifically for career changers. Contact industry associations, local unions, or community colleges for programs in your area.
Certification costs are typically self-funded, but some employers reimburse. Union programs are paid positions.
Already working in another career?
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The Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerk role faces above-average AI exposure. Some tasks are increasingly automatable, but the role is evolving rather than disappearing.
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Based on skill overlap analysis — these occupations share core competencies with Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerk.
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SOC: 43-4181.00 · Data: O*NET 29.1, BLS OEWS 2024, BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034