As record numbers of Americans hit the road for Columbus Day, a new study shows that travel is one of the most potent job creators of any American industry.

"Travel: America's Unsung Hero of Job Creation" from the U.S. Travel Association analyzes data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to showcase the significant economic power of the travel industry in America—particularly the quality of the industry's jobs, and the large number that are created by small businesses.

Per the report:

Overall, Americans whose first job was in a travel-related industry obtain an average career salary of $81,900—significantly higher than those whose first jobs were in manufacturing, construction, healthcare and most other U.S. industries. Nearly 40 percent of workers who began their career in travel reached an annual career salary in excess of $100,000. The travel industry also offers a statistically better career starting point for Americans with less education: workers with a high school degree or less whose first jobs were in travel reached an average career salary of $69,500, five percent greater than the average salary attained by workers who started off in other industries.

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