How much does a reservation and transportation ticket agent and travel clerk make?
The median reservation and transportation ticket agent and travel clerk in the United States earns $44,390 per year, about $21.34 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 43-4181.
Reservation and transportation ticket agent and travel clerk salary range
Pay for reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $32,140 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $78,150. The average (mean) wage of $49,630 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $32,140 | $15.45 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $37,850 | $18.20 | |
| Median (50th) | $44,390 | $21.34 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $59,640 | $28.68 | |
| 90th percentile | $78,150 | $37.57 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks (SOC 43-4181), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Reservation and transportation ticket agent and travel clerk salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks earn the most in Michigan at $60,220 a year, and the least in West Virginia at $34,030. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan | $60,220 | 1,980 |
| Minnesota | $60,090 | 2,160 |
| California | $49,420 | 10,580 |
| Washington | $48,520 | 2,970 |
| Georgia | $47,860 | 5,880 |
| Illinois | $47,850 | 7,080 |
| New Mexico | $47,850 | 600 |
| Oklahoma | $47,340 | 920 |
| District of Columbia | $46,550 | 100 |
| Colorado | $45,960 | 3,650 |
| Alaska | $45,870 | 1,000 |
| Kentucky | $45,840 | 1,860 |
| Arizona | $45,710 | 3,020 |
| Rhode Island | $45,420 | 210 |
| Hawaii | $45,020 | 1,590 |
| North Carolina | $44,630 | 5,760 |
| Louisiana | $44,520 | 520 |
| Pennsylvania | $44,380 | 4,020 |
| Massachusetts | $44,230 | 1,560 |
| Virginia | $44,140 | 2,540 |
| South Carolina | $43,740 | 1,010 |
| Delaware | $43,140 | 70 |
| Montana | $43,110 | 480 |
| New York | $42,990 | 5,510 |
| Arkansas | $42,040 | 430 |
| Indiana | $41,400 | 550 |
| Nevada | $41,000 | 2,660 |
| New Hampshire | $40,920 | 150 |
| Maryland | $40,750 | 720 |
| Maine | $40,700 | 410 |
| Oregon | $40,570 | 1,340 |
| Missouri | $40,560 | 1,770 |
| Idaho | $40,230 | 420 |
| Florida | $39,490 | 14,740 |
| Connecticut | $39,380 | 510 |
| New Jersey | $38,780 | 2,780 |
| Utah | $38,660 | 3,260 |
| Tennessee | $38,530 | 1,410 |
| Vermont | $38,310 | 140 |
| Texas | $38,220 | 18,410 |
| Nebraska | $37,850 | 650 |
| Mississippi | $37,730 | 170 |
| Iowa | $36,880 | 200 |
| Alabama | $36,620 | 150 |
| Ohio | $36,070 | 1,200 |
| Wisconsin | $35,950 | 880 |
| South Dakota | $35,860 | 230 |
| Kansas | $34,940 | 180 |
| North Dakota | $34,870 | 150 |
| West Virginia | $34,030 | 100 |
State median wages for reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks (SOC 43-4181), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks
The BLS projects employment of reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks to grow 2.5% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 120,100 jobs in 2025 moving toward 123,100 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 11,800 openings a year for reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a reservation and transportation ticket agent and travel clerk
The typical entry-level education for reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a reservation and transportation ticket agent and travel clerk earns
Employer, industry, seniority, and metro area drive pay. Large organizations and high cost cities pay above small offices and entry-level roles.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Michigan, $60,220) and the lowest (West Virginia, $34,030) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 118,710 people work as reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks in the United States. At $44,390 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Reservation and transportation ticket agent and travel clerk salary FAQ
How much does a reservation and transportation ticket agent and travel clerk make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a reservation and transportation ticket agent and travel clerk is $21.34. The middle half of reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks earn between $18.20 and $28.68 per hour.
What is the highest reservation and transportation ticket agent and travel clerk salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks earn more than $78,150 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a reservation and transportation ticket agent and travel clerk make a year?
The median annual salary for a reservation and transportation ticket agent and travel clerk is $44,390. The average (mean) wage of $49,630 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a reservation and transportation ticket agent and travel clerk a well paid job?
At $44,390 a year, a reservation and transportation ticket agent and travel clerk earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 118,710 people work as reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks in the United States.
Which state pays reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks the most?
Michigan has the highest median salary for reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks at $60,220 a year. Minnesota ($60,090) and California ($49,420) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a reservation and transportation ticket agent and travel clerk a good career?
Employment of reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks is projected to grow 2.5% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 11,800 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a reservation and transportation ticket agent and travel clerk?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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