Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks
SOC Code: 43-4181
Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks carries a 60% AI exposure score (High automation risk), with a median annual wage of $41,460 and +2.8% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 131,900 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 60% AI exposure, Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks sits 23 points above the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 94% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks has ai exposure of 60%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks (SOC 43-4181) carries an AI exposure score of 60%, placing it in the High automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score in the 40–70% range indicates meaningful automation pressure on specific task categories, but the role as a whole still requires human judgment for coordination, exception handling, or client interaction.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 131,900 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +2.8% change through 2034 - modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $41,460, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires High school diploma or equivalent, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Examine passenger documentation to determine destinations and to assign boarding passes.
- 2. Trace lost, delayed, or misdirected baggage for customers.
- 3. Check baggage and cargo and direct passengers to designated locations for loading.
- 4. Provide boarding or disembarking assistance to passengers needing special assistance.
- 5. Confer with customers to determine their service requirements and travel preferences.
- 6. Announce arrival and departure information, using public address systems.
- 7. Provide clients with assistance in preparing required travel documents and forms.
- 8. Prepare customer invoices and accept payment.
- 9. Determine whether space is available on travel dates requested by customers, assigning requested spaces when available.
- 10. Assemble and issue required documentation, such as tickets, travel insurance policies, or itineraries.
Key Skills Required
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Service Orientation
- Social Perceptiveness
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Persuasion
- Writing
- Coordination
- Judgment and Decision Making
Knowledge Areas
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
- Public Safety and Security
- Transportation
- Geography
- Psychology
- Foreign Language
- Mathematics
- Communications and Media
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks?
Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks has an AI exposure score of 60%, indicating a high level of automation risk. Some tasks in this role can be augmented or partially automated by AI, but core responsibilities require human judgment.
What is the job outlook for Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks is projected to grow by 2.8% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 131,900 workers.
What skills are needed for Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks?
Key skills for Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks include Active Listening, Speaking, Service Orientation, and others. Typical entry-level education is High school diploma or equivalent.
How much do Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks earn?
The median annual wage for Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks is $41,460, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks?
The typical entry-level education for Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks is High school diploma or equivalent. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Short-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks?
Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
High automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. A majority of tasks in this occupation are susceptible to AI automation.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).