Workers who start out in the travel business typically earn more, get a better education and enjoy better career progression than those starting out in other industries, according to a new report from the U.S. Travel Association.
"Travel jobs provide important, transferable skills that are indispensable to career success," said Roger Dow, president and CEO of U.S. Travel.
U.S. Travel looked at workers in air transportation, lodging, entertainment and recreational services, car rental, restaurants, bars, travel retail, museums, art galleries, zoos and scenic and sightseeing transportation. It based the report on analysis of longitudinal data collected between 1979 and 2010 by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The average maximum salary for employees who start their career in the travel industry reaches $81,900, more than most other industries. The exception is the financial services industry, where the average maximum salary is $82,100. Two out of five workers who start their careers in travel go on to earn more than $100,000 per year.
Those who start out in travel end up being better educated than those who start out in other industries. Thirty-three percent earn at least a bachelor's degree, compared with 25% of the population at large.
Travel and hospitality jobs often have the flexible schedules needed for anyone working their way through college. One-third of the 5.6 million Americans who are employed part time to support themselves while they further their education work in the travel industry.
The study reported that 53% all travel industry employees earn a middle-class salary or higher. In this section, U.S. Travel used its long-standing classification for the travel industry, which it defines as accommodations, auto transportation, entertainment and recreation, food services, public transportation, retail and travel arrangement.
The report found travel is also a stepping stone for the 70% of U.S. workers who only have a high school education. Employees with no college degree who begin their careers in travel on average earn $69,500.
Travel offers a road to higher pay for women and minorities. Women who start in travel earn an average maximum wage of $78,000, compared with $73,900 for women who start their work life in other industries. Hispanics earn $80,100, compared with $74,500 in other industries, and African-Americans earn $71,900, compared with $68,100 in other industries.
Follow Kate Rice on Twitter @krtravelweekly.