Salary of Car Rental Sales Agents

Car rental sales agents work at airports and car rental agencies. They primarily take reservations for travelers who need short-term automobile transportation. These workers often take reservations for clients from travel agents or airlines. Agents at city locations may need to pick up clients if they are having their cars repaired. These sales professionals also write up orders and check the conditions of automobiles as they are returned. Most car rental sales agents earn annual salaries.

Average Annual Salary and Benefits

Car rental sales agents earn average annual salaries of $36,000, according to Simplyhired.com at the time of publication. Their salaries are highly contingent upon the areas in which they work and their experience. Retail sales workers, including car rental sales agents, usually receive benefits like medical and life insurance, paid vacations and holidays, sick leave and retirement benefits. Many may also receive discounts on rental cars when they need them.

Salary by State

Car rental sales agents earn significantly higher salaries in some states. The cost of living is one factor, including how much car rental agencies pay for monthly rent. The higher price of gas in some areas may also be a factor. Whatever the case, those working in the District of Columbia earn the highest annual salaries among those listed, at $57,000, according to June 2011 figures from Simplyhired.com. They also earn relatively high salaries in Connecticut and California at $43,000 and $41,000, respectively. Car rental sales agents earn slightly less-than-average salaries in Florida and Kansas at $33,000 and $32,000 per year, respectively. Simplyhired.com usually rounds salaries up or down to the nearest $1,000.

Salary by City

Car rental sales agents earn some of their highest annual salaries in Boston, among those cities listed, at $44,000, according to Simplyhired.com. Those in New York City also earn relatively high salaries at $42,000 per year. These sales workers earn closer-to-average salaries in Dallas and Columbus at $37,000 and $36,000 per year, respectively. And those in Columbia, South Carolina, earn somewhat lower-than-average salaries at $32,000 annually.

Job Outlook

The number of jobs in retail sales, including those in the car rental business, is expected to grow by 8 percent between 2008 and 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The number of jobs for car rental agents is usually dependent upon the economy. For example, more people will travel leisurely or for business during economic boom periods. The growing population in certain areas will also impact the number of required car rental establishments.

References

• Simply Hired; Average Car Rental Sales Agent Salaries; June 2011
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition: Retail Salespersons; December 2009
• Simply Hired; Average Car Rental Sales Agent Salaries in District of Columbia; June 2011
• Simply Hired; Average Car Rental Sales Agent Salaries in California; June 2011
• Simply Hired; Average Car Rental Sales Agent Salaries in New York, NY; June 2011
• Simply Hired; Average Car Rental Sales Agent Salaries in Boston, MA; June 2011

Resources

• Simply Hired; Average Car Rental Sales Agent Salaries in Connecticut; June 2011
• Simply Hired; Average Car Rental Sales Agent Salaries in Florida; June 2011
• Simply Hired; Average Car Rental Sales Agent Salaries in Kansas; June 2011
• Simply Hired; Average Car Rental Sales Agent Salaries in Dallas, TX; June 2011
• Simply Hired; Average Car Rental Sales Agent Salaries in Columbus, Ohio; June 2011
• Simply Hired; Average Car Rental Sales Agent Salaries in Columbia, SC; June 2011