Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks
Reservation and transportation ticket agents make and confirm bookings for travel arrangements and sell transportation tickets at airlines, railways, hotels, and travel agencies. They process customer reservations, issue tickets, handle baggage, and provide travel information. Work occurs primarily in offices, ticket counters, and customer service centers.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
A day in the work
A typical week involves answering customer calls and emails to book flights, trains, or accommodations and processing payment for reservations. Agents verify customer information, input details into reservation systems, and issue tickets or confirmations. At transportation hubs, they may check luggage, direct passengers to gates or platforms, and handle last-minute changes. Administrative tasks include filing paperwork and contacting customers about upcoming trips.
Who this work suits
Holland code CSE. Conventional work is organized, detail-oriented work with clear procedures. Aptly’s interest assessment scores you on the same six scales.
You'd do well in this work if you're organized and detail-oriented—you'll manage many reservations accurately. You likely enjoy helping people solve problems and prefer clear procedures and systems over ambiguous situations. People who succeed here are typically comfortable following established processes while staying attentive to individual customer needs.
What it takes
Preparation: Some preparation (usually high school; some on-the-job training). Most people in this occupation hold a high school diploma.
Skills that matter most
Knowledge areas
Openings right now
- Travel Clerk NF-02 · United States Army Installation Management Command · Fort Bragg, North Carolina · $15–$15.5
Openings are read from employers’ own career pages and public job boards and change daily. Search all openings (free account) to filter by distance, pay and how well you qualify.
Pay by state
| State | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | $38,230 | $60,220 | $77,530 | 1,980 |
| Minnesota | $44,940 | $60,090 | $78,940 | 2,160 |
| California | $45,200 | $49,420 | $56,620 | 10,580 |
| Washington | $44,920 | $48,520 | $63,870 | 2,970 |
| Georgia | $38,490 | $47,860 | $76,880 | 5,880 |
| Illinois | $38,260 | $47,850 | $59,290 | 7,080 |
| New Mexico | $40,550 | $47,850 | $78,540 | 600 |
| Oklahoma | $45,000 | $47,340 | $80,200 | 920 |
| District of Columbia | $39,630 | $46,550 | $57,850 | 100 |
| Colorado | $44,840 | $45,960 | $61,080 | 3,650 |
| Alaska | $45,200 | $45,870 | $59,980 | 1,000 |
| Kentucky | $38,360 | $45,840 | $70,740 | 1,860 |
All 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico
Certifications people in this field hold
- Certified Travel Associate (CTA) — The Travel Institute
- Global Travel Professional (GTP) — Global Business Travel Association Academy
Training
Aptly members see WIOA-approved programs, colleges and certificates near them, with completion and earnings data, on every Path plan.
Job titles in this occupation
Related occupations
Four short assessments and your background, scored against reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 43-4181.00 · O*NET OnLine. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, annual, U.S. Employment counts are national.