Flight Attendant
Keep airline passengers safe and comfortable from boarding to arrival.
- $63,580
- 3–8 weeks of airline training
Transportation & Logistics career
Reservation Agent
Also called: Ticket Agent · Travel Clerk · Airline Customer Service Agent · Gate Agent
What reservation agents do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a reservation agent do?
Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks make and confirm reservations, sell tickets and help passengers. The median pay is $44,390 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few weeks of training, and employment is projected to grow +2.5% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$44,390$21.34/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+2.5%2025–35, about as fast as average
- Openings per year11,800Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to trainA few weeks of trainingTypical program length
- U.S. jobs120,100Employment, 2025
What reservation agents do
Reservation agents help people travel. They book flights, trains, buses and hotel rooms, sell tickets, check in passengers and bags, rebook missed connections and answer questions at counters, gates and call centers.
A high school diploma and short training are typical. BLS projects about average growth.
Typical duties
- Book reservations
- Sell tickets
- Check in passengers
- Handle bags
- Rebook travelers
- Answer questions
- Process payments
Work environment and schedule
Agents work at airports, stations, call centers and from home.
Schedule: Shifts include early mornings, nights, weekends and holidays.
A day in the life
- Open the ticket counter.
- Check in early flights.
- Rebook a missed connection.
- Board a flight at the gate.
See a full day in the life of a reservation agent →
Reservation Agent salary
Half of reservation agents earned more than $44,390 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $32,140 for the lowest 10% to $78,150 for the top 10%.
Full reservation agent pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a reservation agent
- Finish high school
- Build customer service skills
- Apply to an airline or carrier
- Complete training
- Advance
A high school diploma and short-term on-the-job training are typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a reservation agent →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Reservation systems
- Ticketing
- Check-in procedures
- Rebooking
- Payment processing
People skills
- Patience
- Calm under pressure
- Friendliness
- Problem-solving
All reservation agent skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Travel perks at airlines
- Short training
- Customer contact
- Remote options in call centers
Cons
- Upset travelers
- Irregular shifts
- Standing
- Modest pay
Certifications and licenses
- Airline agent training: Employer.
- Hazmat awareness: Required at airlines.
- Customer service training: Helpful.
- Language skills: Valued.
Career path
- Agent: Entry.
- Lead Agent: Lead.
- Supervisor: Lead teams.
- Station Manager: Run station.
Learn the job before day one
Our Reservation Agent training (8 hours, $74.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as rebook a passenger after a cancellation and board a flight on time, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Customer Service Representative
Help customers solve problems by phone, chat and email, and keep them coming back.
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Travel Agent
Plan and book trips, cruises and vacations for clients.
- $50,160
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Cargo Agent
Arrange and track freight shipments by air, truck, rail and ship.
- $52,260
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Compare: Reservation Agent vs. Flight Attendant · Reservation Agent vs. Customer Service Rep · Reservation Agent vs. Travel Agent · Reservation Agent vs. Cargo Agent
Reservation Agent FAQ
Do agents get travel perks?
Many airline agents get flight benefits.
Do I need a degree?
No.
Can I work from home?
Some call center roles are remote.
How much does a reservation agent make?
The median annual wage for reservation agents was $44,390 ($21.34 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $32,140 and the highest 10% earned more than $78,150.
How long does it take to become a reservation agent?
Most people need about A few weeks of training of training. A high school diploma and short-term on-the-job training are typical.
Do you need a degree to be a reservation agent?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.
More reservation agent questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 43-4181 (Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.