Travel Agent Salary in Washington, DC
Travel Agents in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $50,650 a year — 1% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $41,004 take-home, or $3,417 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median travel agent salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,898
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,140
- Medicare (1.45%)$734
- District of Columbia income tax$1,873
- Take-home pay$41,004
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Travel Agent pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,440 | $17.04 | $29,696 | $2,475 |
| 25th percentile | $38,590 | $18.55 | $32,038 | $2,670 |
| Median (50th) | $50,650 | $24.35 | $41,004 | $3,417 |
| 75th percentile | $63,290 | $30.43 | $50,366 | $4,197 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,360 | $38.15 | $60,883 | $5,074 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $50,650 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median travel agent's $41,004 take-home pay has the buying power of $37,659 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Travel Agent jobs are less concentrated in Washington, DC than nationally (location quotient 0.59), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for travel agents, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #16 of 20 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Denver, CO | $58,690 | $47,463 | $44,869 |
| 2 | Boston, MA | $58,890 | $46,774 | $43,202 |
| 3 | Houston, TX | $50,160 | $42,484 | $43,074 |
| 4 | Seattle, WA | $55,260 | $46,581 | $41,915 |
| 5 | New York, NY | $58,430 | $46,570 | $41,373 |
| 6 | Phoenix, AZ | $51,800 | $42,715 | $41,344 |
| 7 | Orlando, FL | $48,680 | $41,294 | $40,717 |
| 8 | St. Louis, MO | $46,460 | $38,264 | $40,241 |
| 16 | Washington, DC | $50,650 | $41,004 | $37,659 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 20 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a travel agent make in Washington, DC?
The median travel agent salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $50,650 a year, or about $24.35 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $38,590 and $63,290.
What is a travel agent’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $50,650 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $41,004 a year ($3,417 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,873 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a travel agent?
Pay here is 1% above the national median of $50,160. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $37,659 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #16 of 20 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a travel agent afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 58% of a median travel agent’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
- Sales Engineer — $153,410
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products — $120,140
- First-Line Supervisor of Non-Retail Sales Workers — $101,410
- Real Estate Sales Agent — $78,160
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel — $78,110
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $74,730
- Advertising Sales Agent — $71,620
- Insurance Sales Agent — $65,260
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents — $64,300
- First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $50,530
- Counter and Rental Clerk — $48,010
- Parts Salesperson — $44,660