Travel Agents Salary in California
In California, travel agents earn $48,540 at the median — $23.34 an hour. The range runs from $38K at the entry level to $75K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across California. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $49K get you in California?
About travel agents
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level travel agents (10th percentile) start around $38K. Mid-career wages sit at $49K. Top earners bring in $75K or more, a $36K spread from bottom to top.
Travel Agents salary by metro in California
9 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $56K | +15% | 370 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $56K | +15% | 810 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $51K | +6% | 40 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $48K | -1% | 370 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $48K | -1% | 2,920 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $48K | -1% | 160 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $47K | -2% | 100 |
| Fresno | $47K | -3% | 60 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $44K | -9% | 200 |
Compare to other states
Track travel agents salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do travel agents make in California?
The median is $48,540 a year, that works out to about $23 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $38,410, and experienced travel agents can clear $74,870. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $49K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,320/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,471/month, which eats 74.4% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a travel agents salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median travel agents salary is worth about $45,732 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do travel agents get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.