Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agent and Travel Clerk Salary in Chicago, IL
Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $47,850 a year — 8% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $38,404 take-home, or $3,200 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median reservation and transportation ticket agent and travel clerk salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,562
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,967
- Medicare (1.45%)$694
- Illinois income tax$2,224
- Take-home pay$38,404
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.95% state
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro spans Illinois, Indiana. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agent and Travel Clerk pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,850 | $18.20 | $30,864 | $2,572 |
| 25th percentile | $38,260 | $18.39 | $31,173 | $2,598 |
| Median (50th) | $47,850 | $23.00 | $38,404 | $3,200 |
| 75th percentile | $59,290 | $28.50 | $47,029 | $3,919 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,200 | $37.12 | $59,464 | $4,955 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $47,850 buys in Chicago, IL
Prices in Chicago, IL are 3.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median reservation and transportation ticket agent and travel clerk's $38,404 take-home pay has the buying power of $37,071 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Chicago, IL has 1.9× the national concentration of reservation and transportation ticket agent and travel clerk jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #4 of 15 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atlanta, GA | $47,860 | $38,774 | $38,752 |
| 2 | Charlotte, NC | $44,630 | $36,768 | $37,770 |
| 3 | Phoenix, AZ | $46,800 | $38,823 | $37,577 |
| 4 | Chicago, IL | $47,850 | $38,404 | $37,071 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $48,520 | $41,166 | $37,042 |
| 6 | Los Angeles, CA | $51,130 | $41,481 | $36,526 |
| 7 | Philadelphia, PA | $44,390 | $36,485 | $35,576 |
| 8 | Denver, CO | $45,600 | $37,522 | $35,471 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 15 metros →
About the job: reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks
Make and confirm reservations for transportation or lodging, or sell transportation tickets. May check baggage and direct passengers to designated concourse, pier, or track; deliver tickets and contact individuals and groups to inform them of package tours; or provide tourists with travel or transportation information.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +2.5% (about average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a reservation and transportation ticket agent and travel clerk make in Chicago, IL?
The median reservation and transportation ticket agent and travel clerk salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $47,850 a year, or about $23.00 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $38,260 and $59,290.
What is a reservation and transportation ticket agent and travel clerk’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $47,850 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $38,404 a year ($3,200 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,224 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a reservation and transportation ticket agent and travel clerk?
Pay here is 8% above the national median of $44,390. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $37,071 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #4 of 15 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a reservation and transportation ticket agent and travel clerk afford rent in Chicago, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chicago, IL is $1,534 a month ($1,743 for two bedrooms) — 48% of a median reservation and transportation ticket agent and travel clerk’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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