What Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks this way: "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."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Plan routes, itineraries, and accommodation details, and compute fares and fees, using schedules, rate books, and computers"; "Make and confirm reservations for transportation and accommodations, using telephones, faxes, mail, and computers"; "Answer inquiries regarding information, such as schedules, accommodations, procedures, or policies"; "Assemble and issue required documentation, such as tickets, travel insurance policies, or itineraries"; "Determine whether space is available on travel dates requested by customers, assigning requested spaces when available".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is high school diploma or equivalent. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is short-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 120,100 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 123,100 in 2035, an increase of 3,000 jobs (+2.5%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 11,800 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 9.8% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $44,390, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks earn the most
Across the 3 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $37,581 in Texas to $42,208 in New Jersey, a gap of $4,628 (1.12 times). 0 of those 3 states average above the BLS national median of $44,390 and 3 average at or below it.
Texas employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 17,090, which is 49.8% of the 34,340 counted across them. New Jersey follows with 9,780.
Highest-paying states
New Jersey ($42,208), New York ($41,630) and Texas ($37,581) lead the ranking, while Texas ($37,581) and New York ($41,630) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks: pay against the cost of living
We compare 3 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Dallas County, TX (Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX) at $7,363. The weakest market is Kings County, NY, where the basics cost $7,014 more than take-home pay.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 2 of the 3 markets and falls short in 1. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 56.1% and 96.7% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (43-4000) include Brokerage Clerks, Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs, Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping and Court, Municipal, and License Clerks.
Frequently asked questions about Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks
How much do Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $44,390. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $37,581 to $42,208.
Which state pays Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks the most?
New Jersey, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $42,208. New York is next at $41,630.
Is Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to grow by 2.5% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 11,800 openings a year.
What education do Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks need?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent and short-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.
Where can Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Dallas County, TX leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $7,363 on a median wage of $38,250.