How to Become a Travel Agent

Updated October 28, 2025 | Brad Fishbein Table of Contents

Love to plan trips, explore new destinations, and help others experience the world?
Becoming a travel agent can turn your passion for travel into a rewarding career.

Travel agents help clients plan, book, and manage trips for business and leisure. They handle everything from flights and hotels to cruises, insurance, and itineraries — combining logistics expertise with customer service.

If you’re detail-oriented, organized, and enjoy creating memorable travel experiences, this guide explains how to become a travel agent in 2025.

Quick Facts: Travel Agent Salary, Education, and Outlook

Median Pay $48,450 $23.29/hr Top 10%: $74,160

Job Outlook (2024–2034) 2.3% 7,100 openings/yr

Employment (2024) 59,150

🏁Wage Percentiles: 25th $38,760 75th $60,880
🎓Typical Education: High school diploma or associate degree
🛠️On‑the‑Job Training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
🌎Highest Paying States: District of Columbia Washington Wyoming
🏢Top Industries: Cross-industry
✅Certification: Optional (Travel Institute, ASTA, or IATA certification)

What Travel Agents Do

Travel agents plan and book vacations, business trips, cruises, and tours for individuals and groups. They research destinations, negotiate rates, and make sure clients have a smooth and enjoyable travel experience.

Typical Responsibilities

Plan and book flights, hotels, and car rentals
Advise clients on travel destinations and packages
Create detailed itineraries and travel documents
Stay updated on travel regulations, visas, and safety requirements
Handle cancellations, changes, and emergencies
Build long-term client relationships

The best travel agents are part planner, part problem-solver, and part dream-maker.

Key Skills and Traits for Success

Strong communication and customer service
Organizational and multitasking ability
Knowledge of travel software (GDS, Sabre, Amadeus)
Sales and marketing skills
Cultural awareness and geography knowledge
Flexibility and problem-solving

Common Work Settings

Travel agencies or tour operators
Corporate travel departments
Cruise lines and hospitality firms
Home-based or independent travel agencies
Online travel booking services

How to Become a Travel Agent (5 Steps)

1. Earn a High School Diploma or GED

Basic education and customer service skills are the foundation for travel agent success.

2. Complete a Travel or Tourism Program

Enroll in a certificate or associate degree program in travel, hospitality, or tourism management. Coursework includes geography, reservation systems, and travel law.

3. Gain Experience

Start in entry-level roles such as travel assistant, reservation clerk, or customer support to build experience and industry knowledge.

4. Consider Certification

Certifications can improve credibility and earning potential. Options include:

Certified Travel Associate (CTA) – Travel Institute
Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) – Travel Institute
IATA Agent Certification – International Air Transport Association
ASTA Verified Travel Advisor (VTA)

5. Start Your Career or Agency

Join an established travel agency, work remotely, or start your own home-based business. Many agents specialize in niches such as luxury, adventure, or destination weddings.

Travel Agent Salary by State

State	Median annual	Top 10% annual
Connecticut	$61,180	$102,230
Minnesota	$47,900	$97,140
Virginia	$37,860	$93,720
New Jersey	$59,640	$90,560
Idaho	$48,660	$86,690
Massachusetts	$54,200	$85,710
Colorado	$56,370	$83,830
Vermont	$50,960	$82,150
Arizona	$49,260	$80,570
North Carolina	$48,390	$78,960
Illinois	$47,660	$76,960
New York	$50,200	$76,640
California	$48,540	$74,870
Pennsylvania	$46,910	$74,550
Wyoming	$61,500	$74,450
Iowa	$44,970	$74,380
Texas	$51,110	$73,590
Oregon	$49,690	$73,550
New Hampshire	$48,680	$73,180
Kansas	$47,390	$72,980
District of Columbia	$63,770	$72,230
Louisiana	$45,720	$71,880
Georgia	$45,790	$71,700
Washington	$62,620	$70,710
Ohio	$44,750	$68,420
Rhode Island	$45,810	$66,500
Alaska	$57,490	$65,760
Montana	$53,540	$65,310
Florida	$47,780	$64,470
Utah	$41,040	$64,080
Tennessee	$48,990	$63,580
Maine	$37,950	$63,030
North Dakota	$47,000	$62,530
Indiana	$46,860	$62,380
Michigan	$46,710	$62,320
Alabama	$48,650	$61,700
Maryland	$44,660	$61,650
Nevada	$60,630	$61,530
New Mexico	$35,250	$61,470
South Carolina	$46,810	$60,630
South Dakota	$46,610	$60,450
Missouri	$44,290	$60,420
Nebraska	$48,010	$60,280
West Virginia	$35,710	$58,630
Kentucky	$47,850	$56,320
Wisconsin	$47,020	$54,570
Oklahoma	$34,850	$49,130
Hawaii	$32,090	$49,020
Arkansas	$34,980	$44,770
Delaware	N/A	N/A
Mississippi	N/A	N/A

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024.

💡 Independent agents and those specializing in luxury travel or corporate accounts often earn the highest commissions.

Education and Certification Paths

Pathway	Typical Duration	Outcome
Travel Certificate Program	6–12 months	Entry-level training
Associate Degree in Travel or Hospitality	2 years	Broader career opportunities
CTA or CTC Certification	1–2 years	Advanced professional credential
IATA or ASTA Membership	Variable	Industry recognition

Career Growth and Advancement

With experience, travel agents can grow into:

Corporate Travel Manager
Tour Operator or Destination Specialist
Agency Owner or Franchisee
Luxury or Cruise Travel Consultant

Travel agents with strong digital marketing and destination expertise often grow their own loyal client base or small business.

Cost and Duration of Training

Program Cost: $2,000–$8,000 depending on school and certification
Duration: 6 months to 2 years
Certification Exams: typically $150–$400

Pros and Cons

✅ Pros

Work from home or travel opportunities
Rewarding career helping clients explore the world
High flexibility and independence
Potential for strong commissions

⚠️ Cons

Seasonal demand fluctuations
Must handle travel delays and emergencies
Income can vary based on commissions and clients

State Licensing and Requirements

Most states do not require travel agent licensing, but business registration may be required for independent agencies. California, Florida, Hawaii, and Washington have seller-of-travel laws for agencies.
View Travel Agent Licensing by State »

Start Your Travel Career Today

Becoming a travel agent lets you earn while exploring your passion for travel. Whether you work for a company or start your own agency, this career offers freedom, variety, and excitement.

🎓 Find Travel Agent Training Programs Near You

Travel Agent Salary by State

State	Median annual	Top 10% annual
Connecticut	$61,180	$102,230
Minnesota	$47,900	$97,140
Virginia	$37,860	$93,720
New Jersey	$59,640	$90,560
Idaho	$48,660	$86,690
Massachusetts	$54,200	$85,710
Colorado	$56,370	$83,830
Vermont	$50,960	$82,150
Arizona	$49,260	$80,570
North Carolina	$48,390	$78,960
Illinois	$47,660	$76,960
New York	$50,200	$76,640
California	$48,540	$74,870
Pennsylvania	$46,910	$74,550
Wyoming	$61,500	$74,450
Iowa	$44,970	$74,380
Texas	$51,110	$73,590
Oregon	$49,690	$73,550
New Hampshire	$48,680	$73,180
Kansas	$47,390	$72,980
District of Columbia	$63,770	$72,230
Louisiana	$45,720	$71,880
Georgia	$45,790	$71,700
Washington	$62,620	$70,710
Ohio	$44,750	$68,420
Rhode Island	$45,810	$66,500
Alaska	$57,490	$65,760
Montana	$53,540	$65,310
Florida	$47,780	$64,470
Utah	$41,040	$64,080
Tennessee	$48,990	$63,580
Maine	$37,950	$63,030
North Dakota	$47,000	$62,530
Indiana	$46,860	$62,380
Michigan	$46,710	$62,320
Alabama	$48,650	$61,700
Maryland	$44,660	$61,650
Nevada	$60,630	$61,530
New Mexico	$35,250	$61,470
South Carolina	$46,810	$60,630
South Dakota	$46,610	$60,450
Missouri	$44,290	$60,420
Nebraska	$48,010	$60,280
West Virginia	$35,710	$58,630
Kentucky	$47,850	$56,320
Wisconsin	$47,020	$54,570
Oklahoma	$34,850	$49,130
Hawaii	$32,090	$49,020
Arkansas	$34,980	$44,770
Delaware	N/A	N/A
Mississippi	N/A	N/A

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024.

Meet the author: Brad Fishbein is a Florida Licensed Mold Assessor and council-certified Microbial Investigator. He’s the founder of TradeCareerPath.com and has completed over 5,000 mold inspections since 2009. Brad now helps homeowners and tradespeople make smart decisions about mold, licensing, and skilled career paths.

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