The average salary for a UK travel agent was £29,618 in April 2023, according to latest earnings figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), as reported by the BBC.

However, the figures show the average full-time worker’s annual wage was nearly £34,963 in April this year. This represents a rise of 5.8% – or £1,900 – on the previous year. The cost of living grew faster than wages over the same 12-month period. 

Abta spokesperson Sean Tipton told the BBC: “During the pandemic, the travel industry was by far the worst affected. Business fell through the floor. Over 100,000 people left the travel sector.” 

He added that when demand returned, there was a shortage of workers, resulting in firms offered higher wages, which they have been able to afford owing to a post-Covid rebound in travel demand.

Elsewhere, public relations directors and publicans directors received pay bumps of more than 15%, while delivery operatives, interior designers and tax agents have all endured substantial pay cuts, even before accounting for inflation.