Tour Guide
Lead travelers through cities, sites and outdoor adventures.
- $38,120
- 1–3 months
Sales & Retail career
Travel Agent
Also called: Travel Advisor · Travel Consultant · Corporate Travel Agent · Cruise Specialist
What travel 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 travel agent do?
Travel agents plan and sell travel, including flights, hotels, cruises, tours and packages, helping clients find the best options and handling changes and problems. The median pay is $50,160 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 1–3 months, and employment is projected to grow +0.2% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$50,160$24.11/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+0.2%2025–35, little or no change
- Openings per year5,900Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to train1–3 monthsTypical program length
- U.S. jobs61,500Employment, 2025
What travel agents do
Travel agents, often called travel advisors, design trips. They learn clients’ goals and budgets, research destinations, book flights, hotels, cruises and tours, handle documents and changes, and help when plans go wrong. Many specialize in cruises, luxury, destination weddings, adventure or corporate travel.
Most agents learn on the job or through travel courses. Many work from home as independent agents affiliated with host agencies. Some states require seller-of-travel registration.
Typical duties
- Interview clients about trip goals and budgets
- Research destinations and options
- Book flights, hotels, cruises and tours
- Explain travel documents and requirements
- Handle changes and cancellations
- Help clients during travel problems
- Market services and build a client base
Work environment and schedule
Travel agents work in offices or from home, mostly at computers and on the phone, with occasional familiarization trips.
Schedule: Most work full-time or part-time with flexible hours, though clients may call during emergencies.
A day in the life
- Respond to client emails and review bookings.
- Plan a family trip to Italy and price options.
- Book a cruise and shore excursions.
- Help a client rebook after a canceled flight.
See a full day in the life of a travel agent →
Travel Agent salary
Half of travel agents earned more than $50,160 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $34,610 for the lowest 10% to $76,660 for the top 10%.
Full travel agent pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a travel agent
- Learn the travel industry
- Join an agency or host agency
- Specialize
- Earn certifications
- Grow your business
A high school diploma is typical. Agents learn through travel courses, host agency training and supplier programs.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a travel agent →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Booking systems (GDS)
- Destination knowledge
- Itinerary planning
- Travel documents and rules
- Supplier relationships
People skills
- Customer service
- Organization
- Problem solving
- Communication
All travel agent skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Work from home options
- Travel perks and familiarization trips
- Help people create memories
- Run your own business
Cons
- Commission-based income for many
- Online booking competition
- Problem-solving during travel disruptions
- Building a client base takes time
Certifications and licenses
- Certified Travel Associate (CTA): The Travel Institute credential.
- Certified Travel Counselor (CTC): Advanced Travel Institute credential.
- Destination specialist certifications: Training on specific destinations.
- Cruise line training: CLIA and cruise line programs.
Career path
- Travel Agent: Book trips for clients.
- Specialist Advisor: Focus on a niche.
- Senior Advisor or Agency Manager: Lead teams.
- Agency Owner: Run your own agency.
Learn the job before day one
Our Travel Agent training (8 hours, $74.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as plan a custom vacation and rebook after a flight cancellation, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Concierge
Help guests and residents get reservations, tickets, tips and anything they need.
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Compare: Travel Agent vs. Tour Guide · Travel Agent vs. Concierge · Travel Agent vs. Event Planner · Travel Agent vs. Flight Attendant
Travel Agent FAQ
Do travel agents still exist?
Yes. Many travelers use advisors for complex trips.
Can travel agents work from home?
Yes. Many are independent agents with host agencies.
How do travel agents get paid?
Through commissions and service fees.
How much does a travel agent make?
The median annual wage for travel agents was $50,160 ($24.11 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $34,610 and the highest 10% earned more than $76,660.
How long does it take to become a travel agent?
Most people need about 1–3 months of training. A high school diploma is typical. Agents learn through travel courses, host agency training and supplier programs.
Do you need a degree to be a travel agent?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 41-3041 (Travel agents).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Travel agents (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.