If you want to turn your passion for travel into a rewarding profession, you should consider becoming a travel agent.
This profession is projected to grow 2 percent across the nation over the next decade.
Although the ability to use online resources to research vacations may limit the need for travel agents, people are expected to continue relying on their services for advice on popular and unique travel destinations.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, travel agents in California earned $56,720 on average per year, with salaries ranging from less than $57,000 to more than $75,000.
No formal state license is required in California, but travel agents have to follow strict Seller of Travel rules.
You can begin a career in this field by completing an online course and becoming certified.
University and college programs are available at local community colleges or universities.
You can also earn professional certifications through The Travel Institute or join an agency that provides training.
Your training will typically prepare you for tasks such as:
- Arranging travel for business and vacations
- Determining clients’ schedules and budgets
- Finding fare and schedule information
- Booking reservations
- Giving details on required documents
- And more
Travel agents may also visit destinations to get firsthand experience on the destinations they recommend to clients.
We encourage you to read our list and find out more about the training options available to prospective travel agents in California.
#1California State University San Bernardino
About the School
California State University San Bernardino offers an Online Travel Agent Training program that can be completed in six months.
The course prepares students with the essential industry knowledge to help them become fully prepared for a career in travel planning with an industry-recognized credential.
Students get a 12-month subscription to Travefy when they enroll in the program.
The classes can be completed in six months.
Graduates become eligible for the Travel Agent Proficiency test, offered by the Travel Institute.
This program costs $2,399- exam cost included.
Courses Offered
The syllabus includes:
- Introduction to the Travel Industry
- Professional Skills
- Basic Geography
- International Travel
- Exploring the World
- Types of Air Travel
- Career Development
- Sales and Marketing
- Technology Used in the Travel Industry
Contact Information
- Address: College of Extended and Global Education, San Bernardino, CA 92407, US
- Phone: 855.520.6806
- Website: https://careertraining.csusb.edu
#2Orange Coast College
Orange Coast College offers a Travel and Tourism program for students who want to become independent travel agents.
Courses Offered
Students take courses such as:
- Cultural Tourism
- Cruising & Vacation Packages
- Computer Reservation Systems
- Hospitality and Tourism Marketing
- Tour Escorting and Group Travel
- Destination the Americas
In less than two years, students can earn a Certificate of Achievement.
An Associate Degree can be earned in under four years.
Graduates prepare for positions as travel specialists with a retail or home-based agency, independent contractors, tour operators, and other positions in the industry.
Classes cost $46 per credit for residents of California.
Contact Information
- Address: 2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa, California 92626
- Phone: (714) 432-5072
- Website: https://orangecoastcollege.edu
#3San Diego University Global Campus
About the School
San Diego University Global Campus offers Travel Agent training that equips students with essential industry knowledge and prepares students for an industry-recognized credential.
The program can be completed fully online and costs $2,506.
The cost covers the exam fee.
Students are also introduced to Travefy and receive a 12-month subscription to the platform.
The program gives them the opportunity to review all international and domestic travel destinations that are most likely to recommend and sell to clients.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes:
- Introduction to the Travel Industry
- Professional Skills
- Basic Geography
- International Travel
- Transportation, Accommodations and Vacations
- Career Development
- Sales and Marketing
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 5250 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182-1920, US
- Phone: 855.520.6806
- Website: https://careertraining.sdsu.edu
#4Penn Foster
About the School
Penn Foster offers a Travel Agent training program that can be completed in eight months.
Classes are flexible and online and teach students how to become a successful travel agent on their schedule, from home.
This program costs $799.
Students prepare for entry-level jobs as travel agents in a variety of settings, including travel agencies and tour companies.
The training covers essential topics such as:
- How to arrange all modes of transportation for travel
- How to book hotels and resorts
- How to recommend popular tourist destinations
- And more
As part of the program, students sit for the Travel Agent Proficiency certification exam.
The course includes 12 courses and 21 exams.
Contact Information
- Address: 200 Hickory Street, Scranton, PA 18505 USA
- Phone: 800-275-4410
- Website: https://www.pennfoster.edu
#5Napa Valley College
About the School
Napa Valley College offers a Hospitality, Culinary, and Tourism Management Department.
During their training, students build extensive culinary skills through successive certificate and degree options.
The following pathways are available:
- Culinary Arts- Professional- AA
- Hospitality Management- AS-T
The Hospitality Management program is designed to expose students to the fundamentals of the hospitality industry, which is the second largest employer in the Napa Valley region.
Courses Offered
Students take classes such as:
- Introduction to Hospitality Management
- Sanitation and Safety
- Hospitality Cost Control
- Principles of Hotel Administration
- Hospitality Law
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 2277 Napa-Vallejo Highway, Napa, CA 94558
- Phone: (707) 256-7000 or (800) 826-1077
- Website: https://catalog.napavalley.edu
#6Mission College Santa Clara
About the School
Mission College Santa Clara offers a Hospitality Management program that builds world-class skills for food, wine, and restaurant management success.
Students gain hands-on training and industry insight to prepare for diverse careers in hospitality.
The skills learned in this program include:
- Culinary and Menu Design
- Customer Service Excellence
- Event Planning and Coordination
- Sustainable Hospitality Practices
- Hospitality Marketing and Branding
The Hospitality Management AS program includes the following requirements:
- Basic Food Preparation
- Sanitation and Safety
- Intermediate Food Preparation
- Sales and Marketing in the Hospitality Industry
- Occupational Work Experience for Hospitality Management
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 3000 Mission College Blvd, Santa Clara, CA 95054
- Phone: (408) 855-5007
- Website: https://mission.elumenapp.com
#7California State University- Long Beach
California State University- Long Beach offers a Hospitality Management program offered as a Bachelor of Science degree in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences at California State University, Long Beach.
Courses Offered
Program learning outcomes include:
- Identify and apply the knowledge and skills needed for hospitality and tourism operations
- Develop and integrate a core set of business skills
- Demonstrate competence in the communication skills needed for hospitality and tourism management
- Formulate business decisions in hospitality and tourism management
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1250 Bellflower Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90840
- Phone: 562.985.4111
- Website: https://www.csulb.edu
#8Cal Poly Pomona
About the School
According to their website, Cal Poly Pomona is the number one polytechnic university for diversity and economic mobility.
Students become prepared for new careers by doing.
Courses Offered
Cal Poly Pomona offers the Collins College of Hospitality Management.
Students prepare for leading positions in this field through hands-on, real-world, people-focused experiences.
The following degree options are available:
- Hospitality Management- Bachelor’s
- Hospitality Management- Master’s
- Hospitality Management- Minor
The Minor includes the following required 15 units:
- Introduction to the Hospitality Industry
- Financial Accounting for Decision Making
- Food, Beverage, and Labor Cost Controls
- Hospitality Marketing Management
Contact Information
- Address: 3801 West Temple Avenue 79B, Pomona, California 91768
- Phone: 909-869-2275
- Website: https://www.cpp.edu
#9The Travel Institute
About the School
The Travel Institute offers a Certified Travel Associate program that is available completely online.
The program can be completed by students at their own pace.
The certification is designed for working travel advisors who want to build credibility, improve client relationships, strengthen sales skills, and grow their business.
Students gain foundational cruise knowledge to help advisors understand cruise categories, itineraries, destinations, client matching, and positioning strategies.
The program explores new approaches to positioning and recommending today’s all-inclusive vacation experiences.
The institute also offers a North America: a Destination Specialist Course that costs $89.
This course covers the depth and variety of attractions and experiences in the United States and Canada.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes:
- Business ethics
- Business writing skills
- Customer service
- The art of listening and communications
- Time management
- Understanding customer needs
- Planning itineraries
- Selling cruises
- Touring the world
- Selling special interest travel
- Travel insurance
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 945 Concord St, Framingham, MA 01701
- Phone: 800.542.4282
- Website: https://www.thetravelinstitute.com
#10Travel Agent Academy
About the School
Travel Agent Academy offers training designed to help students learn and retain information in fun and interactive ways.
Students earn Travel Institute CEU Credits.
The courses are compatible with an iOS tablet and allow students to learn from anywhere on their own time, at their own pace.
Courses Offered
Course Catalog includes:
- AAT Kings A-Listers Program & Agent Academy
- Le Programme Specialiste Air France et Film
- Become a Houston Travel Pro
- Lopesan Specialist Program
- Greece Specialist Program
- Visit Florida Rewards Program
- Air France and KLM Specialist Program
- Baja California Specialist Program
- Choice Hotels’ Masterclass
- Costa Rica Specialist Program
- Dominican Republic Specialist
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 301 Route 17 N, Suite 1150, Rutherford, NJ 07070
- Website: https://www.travelagentacademy.com
Schools Summary Table
Travel Agent Average Salary in California
Estimated Earnings Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
|
$38K
|
|
|
$54K
|
|
|
$74K
|
Travel Agent Salary by Metro Area in California
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fresno, CA | 60 | $49,200 | $23.65 | $62,900 | $36,140 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 2,920 | $55,080 | $26.48 | $74,680 | $38,410 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 100 | $48,910 | $23.52 | $64,020 | $36,740 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 200 | $45,840 | $22.04 | $59,700 | $37,010 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 160 | $51,800 | $24.90 | $67,630 | $38,630 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 370 | $51,320 | $24.68 | $70,770 | $37,780 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 810 | $57,640 | $27.71 | $75,660 | $44,870 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 370 | $61,350 | $29.50 | $76,930 | $37,730 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 40 | $55,260 | $26.57 | $75,440 | $39,940 |
* Employment opportunities may differ based on your location.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have read our selection of the best travel agent schools in California, the next step is to decide if this profession is a good fit for you.
Before deciding where to start your training, we encourage you to complete thorough research and gather information about all the factors that are relevant to you.
