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Baggage handler vs passenger service agent

The differences between baggage handlers and passenger service agents can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a baggage handler has an average salary of $41,779, which is higher than the $29,675 average annual salary of a passenger service agent.

The top three skills for a baggage handler include customer service, loaders and delta. The most important skills for a passenger service agent are reservations, reservation system, and passenger service.

Baggage handler vs passenger service agent overview

Baggage HandlerPassenger Service Agent
Yearly salary$41,779$29,675
Hourly rate$20.09$14.27
Growth rate--
Number of jobs26,92134,592
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Average age4945
Years of experience12-

What does a baggage handler do?

Baggage handlers are skilled employees who are responsible for loading and unloading travelers' baggage and other cargo at airports. These handlers are required to handle weighty baggage and cargo by operating conveyor belts, tugs, and tow tractors. They are required to keep track of the baggage and cargo to make sure that they are delivered to the rightful owners. Baggage handlers must also protect the baggage of travelers and cargo from theft and damage by implementing safety procedures and standards.

What does a passenger service agent do?

Passenger service agents are professionals who work inside airport terminals to provide assistance and related customer services to the airlines they serve. These agents are required to issue airline tickets for clients while checking if their requested dates of flights are available and then prepare their itineraries accordingly. They must assist passengers with airport check-ins and examine their ticket, passport, and other identifying documents. Passenger service agents must also answer inquiries from passengers as well as handle complaints.

Baggage handler vs passenger service agent salary

Baggage handlers and passenger service agents have different pay scales, as shown below.

Baggage HandlerPassenger Service Agent
Average salary$41,779$29,675
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $78,000Between $23,000 And $37,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-Minnesota
Best paying company-dnata
Best paying industry-Transportation

Differences between baggage handler and passenger service agent education

There are a few differences between a baggage handler and a passenger service agent in terms of educational background:

Baggage HandlerPassenger Service Agent
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Baggage handler vs passenger service agent demographics

Here are the differences between baggage handlers' and passenger service agents' demographics:

Baggage HandlerPassenger Service Agent
Average age4945
Gender ratioMale, 83.0% Female, 17.0%Male, 40.5% Female, 59.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.1% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.2% Asian, 7.3% White, 56.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 6.3% Hispanic or Latino, 25.8% Asian, 9.1% White, 46.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage12%12%

Differences between baggage handler and passenger service agent duties and responsibilities

Baggage handler example responsibilities.

  • Assist with cleaning and de-icing aircraft.
  • Help delta employees lift heavy suit cases and move them.
  • Receive shipment of delta cargo and safely store and deliver to customers/plane.
  • Work in extremely loud environment and work at height of planes de-icing.
  • Clear jams and make sure the luggage flow on the carousels are clear.
  • Help cashiers by bagging customers groceries and helping them to their cars if necessary.
  • Show more

Passenger service agent example responsibilities.

  • Help troubleshoot and fix technology problems over-the-counter with clients while offering professional services to help achieve business goals.
  • Computerize check-in, verify documentation, ticket, seat reservations and seat assignments for passengers traveling on international flights.
  • Operate tugs, belt loaders, jet bridge and carts.
  • Operate tugs, belt loaders, power units, and fuel trucks.
  • Work in various kinds of weather elements and may be responsible for de-icing aircraft which requires using equipment to apply chemicals/compounds.
  • Arrange travel and issue tickets for all DoD personnel who perform official travel from Goodfellow.
  • Show more

Baggage handler vs passenger service agent skills

Common baggage handler skills
  • Customer Service, 25%
  • Loaders, 20%
  • Delta, 10%
  • Belt Loaders, 9%
  • Operational Processes, 8%
  • Safety Procedures, 4%
Common passenger service agent skills
  • Reservations, 55%
  • Reservation System, 11%
  • Passenger Service, 8%
  • English Language, 4%
  • Ticket Counter, 4%
  • Customer Service, 3%

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