Travel Agent Salary in the UK (2025): What You Really Get Paid

We plan dream trips and live flexibly—and yes, the money’s talking, too. Want to know what a travel agent salary looks like in the UK in 2025? Here’s the short version: most agents earn between £20,000 and £25,000 a year. Newbies start around £15,000. Seasoned pros can make over £30,000. And if you’re in London or work corporate, you might be laughing all the way to the bank.

Welcome to the world where your job perks include wanderlust and your paycheck’s finally catching up.

Travel Agent Salary: The Basics First

Let’s get the money on the table.

The average travel agent salary in the UK is now around £22,900 per year. Job platforms like Indeed, Jobted, and Glassdoor all agree it floats in that low-to-mid £20k zone. The National Careers Service says beginners start at £18,000, and the experienced ones stretch up to £34,000.

The catch? Not all agents are made equal. Your location, employer, and how long you’ve been in the game matter—a lot.

How Experience Changes Your Paycheck

Experience isn’t just nice on your CV. It adds real pounds to your bank.

Here’s the breakdown:

• If you’re just starting out (0–3 years), expect around £15,800 per year.
• After 4–9 years in the role, you’ll likely earn about £19,800.
• With over 10 years of experience, many agents earn around £26,200, sometimes more.

The longer you plan other people’s holidays, the closer you get to affording your own.

Travel Agent Salaries by Location: Where You Work Pays Off

Not all postcodes pay the same.

• London: Average pay hits £27,500, the highest in the country.
• Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham: Expect salaries between £22,000 and £24,700.
• Rural or coastal towns: Wages usually fall below £22,000.

In short? If you’re chasing the best travel agent salary, London still leads the race.

Travel Agent Salary by Employer: Big Name or Boutique?

Now let’s talk about who signs your cheque.

• Independent Agencies: These often offer better base pay, around £23,000.
• Large Tour Operators: Think £18,000–£21,000. Base salaries are lower, but commission can help.
• Corporate/In-house Roles: These bring the biggest paycheques. Salaries can range from £28,000 to over £30,000.

Independent Agencies

Think boutique shops. More flexibility, more charm. And yes—often better base pay. Some even offer bonuses.

Big Names, Smaller Pay

Surprise! Working for giants like TUI or Hays Travel may come with perks—but the starting pay isn’t thrilling.

Corporate Travel? Big Bucks

Glassdoor says Corporate Travel Agents in London average £30,523, and many go beyond. Some even report £44,000 for top-tier roles.

Commission, Perks, and Extra Cash

Okay, so base salary is one thing. But what about the juicy extras?

Commission

Most agencies give commission for bookings. More clients, more cash. It’s not rare to see your pay boosted by £200 to £500 a month, depending on how good you are.

Bonuses

Hit your sales target? Some agencies throw in quarterly or yearly bonuses.

Discounts

Familiarisation trips (aka “fam trips”) let you travel cheaper—sometimes free. Flight deals, hotel stays, tours? Welcome to the insider perks.

Add it all up, and some agents boost their total earnings by 15–20% above their base.

Travel Agent Salary: Is It Getting Better?

Short answer? Yes.

Travel pay has been going up since the post-pandemic boom. A 2024 C&M Travel Salary Index shows average travel jobs now hit £37,000, up 34.9% from 2021. Business travel roles rose 14% in a year alone. Even entry roles are getting a bump. Only 26.8% of new jobs are under £30k now, down from nearly 50% in 2022. ABTA says agent salaries are up 5% since 2019, and employers are offering more to keep talent.

So yes, travel agent salary trends are finally climbing the right hill.

Freelance or Franchise: What About Self-Employed Travel Agents?

Want more freedom? You can work as a self-employed travel agent or join a host agency.

Many franchise models offer commission splits. You earn on what you sell, not by the hour. Think: £20k one year, £45k the next—it all depends on your hustle. Some agents make over £50,000. But the early years can be slow. You build a client base, market yourself, and hustle hard.

Freedom comes with risk. But also serious reward.

Skills That Boost Your Travel Agent Salary

Let’s be real. Not every travel agent earns the same. The skills you bring to the table can make a big difference.

If you’re good at sales, you’re already ahead. Being able to connect with clients, understand what they want, and confidently offer the right package means more bookings and more commission. It’s not about being pushy—it’s about being helpful and sharp. Knowing destinations inside and out also sets you apart. When you can recommend the best beaches in Bali or hidden spots in Paris, people listen. And more importantly, they book.

Tech-savviness matters too. Fast, accurate work with booking systems saves time and keeps clients happy. That’s something employers love—and they often pay more for it. A smooth, friendly service can’t be faked. People talk, and great reviews lead to more work. Word of mouth is gold in this industry.

And if you speak another language? That’s your secret weapon. Luxury travel companies and international clients pay attention to that.

So while pay might start in the same ballpark, the agents who hustle, learn, and build trust usually see their salaries grow faster.

Rising Demand for Travel Agents in 2025

Let’s talk about job security—and rising demand.

• In 2025, more than 38% of UK travellers are booking holidays through travel agents. That’s up from 34% in 2023.
• People want personal advice, not just cheap flights. Online isn’t always better, and customers know it now.
• Post-pandemic travel is booming, and that means more jobs and higher salaries.
• Corporate travel has made a strong comeback. And it’s not just about booking. It’s about managing risks, delays, and client demands.
• C&M’s 2024 survey showed a 34.9% salary growth in travel roles since 2021. Businesses are paying more to keep experienced staff.

The demand isn’t going anywhere. Whether you sell dream honeymoons or book corporate retreats, your role matters more than ever. And that shows in your pay.

Travel Agent Salary in 2025: Final Word

If you’re wondering whether the money’s worth it—the numbers speak.

• Start at £15k–£18k
• Rise to £26k–£30k+
• Earn more in London and corporate roles
• Add commission and perks on top

In 2025, the travel agent salary isn’t just a number. It’s a signal that your role matters. That people trust you with their holidays, honeymoons, and bucket-list trips.

And trust? That pays.

Thinking of becoming a travel agent?

Make sure your passion matches your plan. Whether you go freelance, join a corporate firm, or start on the high street—just know this: Your next booking could be someone else’s dream.

If you’re ready to turn that daydream into a pay rise, start with the right training. Training Tale’s Travel Agent Course gives you everything you need—skills, CPD certification, and the confidence to go big. Learn at your pace, earn on your terms.