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Ramp agent vs passenger service agent

The differences between ramp agents and passenger service agents can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a ramp agent has an average salary of $30,721, which is higher than the $29,675 average annual salary of a passenger service agent.

The top three skills for a ramp agent include safety procedures, loaders and service aircraft. The most important skills for a passenger service agent are reservations, reservation system, and passenger service.

Ramp agent vs passenger service agent overview

Ramp AgentPassenger Service Agent
Yearly salary$30,721$29,675
Hourly rate$14.77$14.27
Growth rate--
Number of jobs26,61934,592
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 45%Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Average age4545
Years of experience--

What does a ramp agent do?

A ramp agent is an individual responsible for the loading and unloading of aircraft baggage, which includes mail and cargo, from the aircraft to the airport. He/She drives and operates ground equipment such as cargo carts and belt loaders while maintaining safe working conditions for himself and others. Other than loading and unloading baggage, a ramp agent guides planes to and from their gates and performs other airplane servicing duties. A ramp agent should be able to work in extreme conditions and pass a physical agility test.

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.

Ramp agent vs passenger service agent salary

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

Ramp AgentPassenger Service Agent
Average salary$30,721$29,675
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $38,000Between $23,000 And $37,000
Highest paying CityMinneapolis, MNSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateMinnesotaMinnesota
Best paying companyFedExdnata
Best paying industry-Transportation

Differences between ramp agent and passenger service agent education

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

Ramp AgentPassenger Service Agent
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 45%Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Ramp agent vs passenger service agent demographics

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

Ramp AgentPassenger Service Agent
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 82.3% Female, 17.7%Male, 40.5% Female, 59.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 23.1% Asian, 6.7% White, 55.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%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 ramp agent and passenger service agent duties and responsibilities

Ramp agent example responsibilities.

  • Manage ticket inventory and assist with passenger check-in procedures, baggage loading and unloading.
  • Include safely driving and operating grind equipment such as tugs, belt loaders, and tow tractors in area of congestion.
  • Operate tugs, baggage belt loaders, FMC loaders and other equipment to safely and efficiently perform grind servicing for commercial airliners
  • Calculate, issue, and re-issu international tickets; prepare prepaid ticket-advice; fulfill ticket counter and departure gate check-in duties.
  • Marshal aircraft for arrivals and departures including following all safety procedures and ensure proper communication with the aircrew.
  • Operate portable radio or headphones.
  • 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

Ramp agent vs passenger service agent skills

Common ramp agent skills
  • Safety Procedures, 21%
  • Loaders, 18%
  • Service Aircraft, 13%
  • Belt Loaders, 9%
  • Unload Cargo, 8%
  • Customer Service, 7%
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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