Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Training and Teaching Others Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

The Work

Ticket sellers operate the ticket desk at an event or attraction, or sell tickets over the phone for transport or events.

It is a mixture of a sales and customer service role, and common duties include collecting payments, answering to client queries, providing information, filling reservations, and taking phone calls from customers.

You need to have a good understanding of the event or transport that you are selling tickets for, as you may be asked to give information about time tables, seating arrangements or directions.

Depending on where you work, you may also be responsible for selling merchandise or add-ons so you need good sales skills.

Many jobs advertised are seasonal and students often work as ticket sellers during summer holidays and weekends.

Although the salary may not be considered high, some employers offer perks such as free or discounted tickets to events.

Other names for the same job include ‘box office staff’ and ‘ticket agent’ for example.

Every member of staff who deals with customers’ 'personal data', such as names and addresses, or who process payment card transactions, need to have some knowledge of the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). It is the responsibility of the employer to give job-specific information on GDPR in their organisation. You can read more about data protection in the workplace here.  

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Receive payment by cash, check, credit cards, vouchers, or automatic debits.
• Answer customers' questions, and provide information on procedures or policies.
• Help customers find the location of products.
• Issue receipts, refunds, credits, or change due to customers.
• Greet customers entering establishments.
• Supervise others and provide on-the-job training.
• Assist customers by providing information and resolving their complaints.
• Maintain clean and orderly checkout areas, and complete other general cleaning duties, such as mopping floors and emptying trash cans.
• Establish or identify prices of goods, services, or admission, and tabulate bills, using calculators, cash registers, or optical price scanners.
• Answer incoming phone calls.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

This is an entry level job so qualifications and previous experience are not necessarily needed, but having experience in sales and customer service will be beneficial.

Some knowledge verbal, literacy, numeracy will benefit in customer service or till & cash handling/ or Electronic point of sale & IT literacy for online sales are increasingly forming part of skills sets to develop in this customer service area. 

Key Skill & safety Certs 

Manual Handling: refers to physical activities in most workplaces, and in particular when the activities involve lifting heavy objects which could result in injury. 

Occupational First Aid 

These courses may be available at low or no cost in FET centres nationwide. You can search for these key skills certs, just add the key word via Search our FET Coursefinder.

Training & Development

Employers may offer training and/or advancement opportunities within the organisation, to a customer servie. supervisory, or manager roles.

Experience of working as a ticket seller will also give you transferable sales and customer service skills which can be used in a wide range of careers.

FET Centre Traineeship: Business Admin, Customer service, Management in centres around Ireland NFQ Level 5-6 Search our FET coursefinder

FET PLC Courses: Sales, Marketing, Tourism & Hospitality NFQ Levels 5-6 Search our FET PLC Coursefinder

Apprenticeship: Sales Apprenticeship NFQ level 6 Search our Apprenticeship finder

Last Updated: October, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €17k - €29k

Salary range varies greatly depending on Employer, location, duties, and whether work is done on part or full time basis.

Data Source(s):
Indeed.ie/ Glassdoor/ WRC/ Gov.ie

Last Updated: February, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Despite a below average growth rate, employment for sales assistants grew by 8,700 persons between 2021 and 2022 in line with the recovery in the wholesale and retail sector. However, recent job hires far exceeded any growth in employment pointing to significant job churn for this occupation.

This is likely to be related to the young profile of workers in this occupation (44% were aged 15-24 years) and the majority (58%) being in part-time roles. There was a large volume of vacancies advertised through DSP Jobs Ireland and OVATE. Job opportunities are likely to continue to arise for this occupation given its large size and the volume of turnover.

• Fáilte Ireland

  • Amiens Street, Dublin 1
  • (01) 884 7700
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Abbey Theatre

  • 26 Lower Abbey Street, Dublin 1
  • (01) 878 7222
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Retail Ireland

  • Click Here