Travel Agent salary in Columbia, SC
Travel Agents in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $31,650 a year ($15.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $18,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,320 for the top 10%. That is 37% lower than the national median of $50,160. Pay here is 8% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $34,560. There are 0.20 travel agents per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.56). The average (mean) salary is $34,010, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for travel agents in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $18,380 | $8.84 |
| 25th percentile | $29,760 | $14.31 |
| Median | $31,650 | $15.22 |
| 75th percentile | $35,800 | $17.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,320 | $22.75 |
| Average (mean) | $34,010 | $16.35 |
Half of travel agents earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,637.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,318.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,217.31 |
| Weekly | $608.65 |
| Hourly | $15.22 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Travel Agent salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $56,510 | 330 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $45,750 | 70 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $38,000 | 40 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $34,640 | 160 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $33,130 | 140 |
Highest-paying states for travel agents
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Nevada | $63,400 |
| District of Columbia | $61,560 |
| Montana | $61,330 |
| New Jersey | $61,090 |
| Connecticut | $60,640 |
| Vermont | $60,560 |
| Rhode Island | $59,790 |
| Oregon | $56,810 |
| Utah | $56,670 |
| Colorado | $56,570 |
See Travel Agent pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $48,570 | $23.35 |
| Insurance Sales Agent | $74,100 | $35.63 |
| Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents | $58,890 | $28.31 |
| Advertising Sales Agent | $49,500 | $23.80 |
| Retail Salesperson | $29,540 | $14.20 |
| Cashier | $27,830 | $13.38 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | $62,470 | $30.04 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers | $47,680 | $22.92 |
| Counter and Rental Clerks | $36,900 | $17.74 |
| Parts Salesperson | $34,310 | $16.49 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers | $75,630 | $36.36 |
| Real Estate Sales Agent | $49,480 | $23.79 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products | $109,080 | $52.44 |
| Telemarketer | $36,100 | $17.36 |
More: Sales and Related Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 41-3041. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a travel agent make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for travel agents in the Columbia, SC metro area is $31,650 a year, or $15.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $18,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,320 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid travel agents make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of travel agents in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $47,320 a year. The top 25% earn $35,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for travel agents in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $18,380 a year, and a quarter of travel agents earn $29,760 or less.
How many travel agents work in Columbia, SC?
About 80 travel agents are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.