Travel Clerks
Description OES Code: 53802
Provide tourists with travel information, such as points of interest, restaurants, rates, and emergency service. Duties include answering inquiries, offering suggestions, and providing literature pertaining to trips, excursions, sporting events, concerts and plays. May make reservations, deliver tickets, arrange for visas, or contact individuals and groups to inform them of package tours.

Wages, California
Entry-Level Hourly Wage $8.60
25th Percentile $9.29
50th Percentile $10.97
75th Percentile $17.04

Wages, San Joaquin County
Entry-Level Hourly Wage $7.60
25th Percentile $8.70
50th Percentile $11.86
75th Percentile $14.61

Wages by California County
• OES Survey
• CCOIS Survey

Employment Trends, California
Employment 1998 2,900
Projected Employment 2008 3,200
Percent Change 1998-2008 10.3%
Separations 1998-2008 600

Employment Trends by California County

Getting the Job & Other Information
All jobseekers should check the classified section in newspapers and travel magazines, make direct application to travel agencies, and register with the component of the local office of the California Employment Development Department.

Skills & Other Requirements
A love of travel attracts many people to the field. But to succeed, agents must be able to convey their enthusiasm to the customer and have a genuine desire to be of service. Since clerks deal with the public, they must be friendly, articulate, and well-groomed. To handle the technical aspects of their work, they must be well-organized, accurate and meticulous about following up on details.

For current job listings, browse CalJOBS or America's Job Bank.

Education and Training
Most employers prefer applicants with previous travel agency experience, but some hire trainees. At least some knowledge of basic operations is required. Agencies in which ticket sales and reservations are a major portion of the work often hire former airline ticket or reservation agents. Vacation-oriented agencies, and others in which the agents' role as travel advisor is paramount, prefer applicants who are familiar with the standard agency reference books and popular tourist areas. They must have the ability to evaluate as well as sell a packaged cruise or tour. These agencies may hire graduates of travel training programs who have had instruction in all of the basic skills.

Prospective travel agents should have at least a high school diploma. Some college education, in addition to travel training, is desirable. Vocational schools offer 3 to 12 week full time programs, as well as evening and Saturday programs. Travel courses are also offered in public adult education programs, community colleges, and universities. The Institute of Certified Travel Agents offers travel correspondence courses leading to certification as a certified travel counselor, as well as a designated specialized program.

Courses in computer science, geography, foreign languages, and history are most useful. Summers spent traveling, working in a hotel or resort, or as a tour guide provide an introduction to travel industry operations.

References
California Occupational Guide: #213

Related Occupations: Airline Reservations & Passenger Services Agents

Training: California Training and Education Providers (CTEP)

© 2000 State of California COICC, US Department of Labor
Unless otherwise noted, wage data source: CA EDD Occupational Employment Statistics Employer Survey. Other wage data may be based on Statewide aggregated CCOIS survey responses between 1995 and 1997.
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