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SOC 6212 Leisure, travel and related personal service occupations

Travel agents Salary

Median salary £26,426 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £26,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For travel agents, £28,746 is the typical (median) pay. That is well below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -26% versus the national average. Experienced travel agents (top 25%) earn over £34,933.

About this role

Travel agents advise customers on holiday destinations, book travel arrangements including flights, hotels, tours and transfers, and provide travel insurance and related services. They work in retail, online and corporate travel settings.

Key responsibilities

  • Advising customers on destinations, travel options and packages
  • Booking flights, accommodation, transfers and excursions
  • Processing payments and travel documentation
  • Providing travel insurance and visa guidance
  • Handling booking changes, cancellations and complaints

Qualifications and entry routes

Travel and tourism qualifications (BTEC, degree) are common but not always required. ABTA and ATOL compliance knowledge is essential. Extensive destination knowledge and booking system proficiency are expected.

Career outlook

Online competition continues but specialist, luxury and corporate travel retain demand for knowledgeable agents who add value beyond what customers can book themselves.

Key skills

Destination knowledge Sales and customer service Booking systems Travel regulations Problem-solving

Common industries

  • High street travel agencies
  • Online travel agencies
  • Corporate travel management
  • Tour operators
  • Cruise specialists

Data coverage

SOC code 6212
Data source ONS ASHE
Years available 2015–2025
Estimated jobs 19,000

Median Salary

£26,426

Mean Salary

£28,569

Jobs (000s)

19k

Data Years

11 years

Salary Range (2025)

P10: --P25: £22kMedian: £26kP75: £35kP90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£21,802

0-2 years

Mid Level

£21,802

3-7 years

Senior

£34,933

8-15 years

Potential career growth: +60% from entry to leadership

Salary Trend (2015-2025)

Nominal growth: +63.4%Real growth: +18.4%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£26,426

Full-time Only

£28,746

Full-time premium: +£2,320

Travel agents salary: common questions

How much do travel agents earn in the UK?
Travel agents earn a median of £28,746 a year (ONS ASHE 2025). The middle half earn between £21,802 and £34,933.
Is £28,746 a good salary in the UK?
For travel agents, £28,746 is the typical (median) pay. That is well below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -26% versus the national average. Experienced travel agents (top 25%) earn over £34,933.
What is the starting salary for travel agents?
Entry-level travel agents typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £21,802, and the lowest-paid 10% earn under £23,387.
Have travel agents salaries kept up with inflation?
Since 2015, median travel agents pay has risen from £18,886 to £28,746 — +52% in cash terms, or +10% after CPIH inflation. That is ahead of inflation over the period.

Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).