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What is an airline ticket agent and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
2 min read
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being an airline ticket agent. For example, did you know that they make an average of $14.91 an hour? That's $31,009 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 0% and produce -5,200 job opportunities across the U.S.
ScoreAirline Ticket AgentUS Average
Salary
2.4

Avg. Salary $31,009

Avg. Salary $59,228

Diversity
7.9
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.24%

Asian 9.16%

Black or African American 8.34%

Hispanic or Latino 25.45%

Unknown 6.30%

White 49.51%

Gender

female 70.81%

male 29.19%

Age - 45
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 45
Stress level
8.4

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
4.8

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance
7.3

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Airline ticket agent career paths

Key steps to become an airline ticket agent

  1. Explore airline ticket agent education requirements

    Most common airline ticket agent degrees

    Bachelor's

    39.2 %

    Associate

    26.6 %

    High School Diploma

    24.1 %
  2. Start to develop specific airline ticket agent skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Reservations35.65%
    Customer Service25.65%
    Safety Procedures11.99%
    Airline Tickets10.16%
    Ticket Sales3.99%
  3. Complete relevant airline ticket agent training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New airline ticket agents learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an airline ticket agent based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real airline ticket agent resumes.
  4. Research airline ticket agent duties and responsibilities

    • Receive inbound customer calls regarding flight information, booking and taking payment for flights.
    • Organize groups of travelers and employees with reservations, group travel, ticketing, and baggage service.
    • Assist unknown shippers in booking live animals domestically and internationally.
    • Assist handicapped, elderly and unaccompany minor passengers in boarding and deplaning aircraft.
  5. Prepare your airline ticket agent resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your airline ticket agent resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an airline ticket agent resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable airline ticket agent resume templates

    Build a professional airline ticket agent resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your airline ticket agent resume.
    Airline Ticket Agent Resume
    Airline Ticket Agent Resume
    Airline Ticket Agent Resume
    Airline Ticket Agent Resume
    Airline Ticket Agent Resume
    Airline Ticket Agent Resume
    Airline Ticket Agent Resume
    Airline Ticket Agent Resume
    Airline Ticket Agent Resume
  6. Apply for airline ticket agent jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an airline ticket agent job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first airline ticket agent job

Zippi

Are you an airline ticket agent?

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Average airline ticket agent salary

The average airline ticket agent salary in the United States is $31,009 per year or $15 per hour. Airline ticket agent salaries range between $26,000 and $36,000 per year.

Average airline ticket agent salary
$31,009 Yearly
$14.91 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do airline ticket agents rate their job?

5/5

Based on 3 ratings

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Airline ticket agent reviews

profile
5.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2020
Pros

I like the fact that the environment is fast paced. I like working the gate area. I like boarding the passengers and I like interacting with the pilots and flight attendants.

Cons

I dislike the rude passengers.


profile
5.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2020
Pros

What I like the most is to give customer service to those who need it.

Cons

I don’t like when I look around and I see people that needs service and they be ignored


profile
5.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2019
Pros

So I always can fine the best ticket for the best trips in all time.

Cons

Have to answer to the passenger, mostly they like to ask and to tickle the air


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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