Travel Agent Schools in Oklahoma

As someone who often finds themselves researching destinations, comparing flight prices, and planning dream vacations for friends and family, a career as a travel agent can be a great way to turn a passion into a thriving career.

Through the article on this page, we aim to help those who are in this situation achieve this goal. Here, we explore how to kickstart a travel agent journey in Oklahoma and the considerations that come with doing so.

We also dedicate a few areas of the guide to providing helpful resources, such as a list of the best training programs. Lastly, we conclude with an analysis of the average annual salary of travel agents in Oklahoma and the factors that determine these numbers.

How to Become a Travel Agent in Oklahoma

The conventional steps to become a travel agent in Oklahoma include the following:

High School Diploma or GED

Oklahoma and most other states across the country don’t require aspiring travel agents to attend specific college programs to start their careers. Usually, a high school diploma or GED is all that’s needed at the basic level.

Further Training

Although it is technically possible to become a travel agent in Oklahoma with a high school diploma or GED, host agencies and other associations in the field tend to gravitate more toward those who have additional training.

To this end, candidates tend to choose Travel Agent training programs offered by community colleges and other technical institutions. They can choose a fast-tracked program that can be completed in a few weeks or more advanced programs that lead to an associate degree after two years of education.

Of course, some may choose to learn “on the job” by securing a training placement at an existing travel agency or through a professional organization that offers such training arrangements.

Placement & Professional Organization

Host agencies are looking for professionals who are well-trained enough to start working in a real-world environment. Candidates who have attained this level of preparedness can go on to apply and start working immediately.

One thing that can have a huge effect on a travel agent’s career is certification and membership in a professional organization. We analyze this step further below.

Explore trades with similar paths:

• Learn how to become a home and building inspector in Oklahoma

Licensure & Certification Requirements

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) facilitates smooth planning and booking of airline tickets when it comes to domestic and international travel. As it happens, the association is also one of the most prominent for candidates looking to facilitate career growth.

Even though, technically, travel agents in Oklahoma are not bounced by law to be certified, having credentials from these top-quality organizations can help candidates stand out. Travel agents can also enhance their professional standing by leveraging the continuing education resources offered by these organizations.

Other top choices to consider include the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), and the Travel Industry Designator Service (TIDS).

Top Travel Agent Schools in Oklahoma

The following are some high-quality training programs for aspiring travel agents in Oklahoma.

Explore travel agent schools in Oklahoma by city:

• Travel agent schools in Oklahoma City

Salary & Career Outlook

Like most professions, experience level and location can influence the annual average salary of travel agents in Oklahoma. These factors, along with others such as credentials, marketing strategies, and host agencies, can help candidates fall into the bottom 10%, top 10%, or median category of earners in the state.

Those who fall among the top 10% manage an annual average salary of $65,095; those who fall among the bottom 10% take home an annual average salary of $22,622; and those who fall among the median earners make around $39,644 in average salary per year.

Focusing on specific locations, the relative annual salary figures for travel agents in Oklahoma are distributed as follows:

• Jones, with an annual average salary of $42,558;
• Lawton, with an annual average salary of $42,258;
• Choctaw, with an annual average salary of $42,201 and
• Enid, with an annual average salary of $41,457.