Tour and Travel Guides Salary in California
In California, tour and travel guides earn $42,210 at the median — $20.3 an hour. The range runs from $34K at the entry level to $66K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $42K get you in California?
About tour and travel guides
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level tour and travel guides (10th percentile) start around $34K. Mid-career wages sit at $42K.Top earners bring in $66K or more - a $32K spread from bottom to top.
Tour and Travel Guides pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vermont | $53K | +46% | 190 |
| District of Columbia | $52K | +42% | 230 |
| Idaho | $51K | +39% | 380 |
| Wyoming | $49K | +34% | 180 |
| Washington | $49K | +33% | 1,370 |
| Alaska | $45K | +23% | 1,650 |
| Hawaii | $45K | +22% | 1,150 |
| California | $42K | +15% | 6,940 |
| Oregon | $40K | +8% | 480 |
| Massachusetts | $39K | +7% | 1,440 |
| Maine | $39K | +6% | 220 |
| Utah | $39K | +6% | 1,590 |
| Nevada | $38K | +3% | 560 |
| New York | $38K | +2% | 2,250 |
| Minnesota | $37K | -0% | 410 |
Track tour and travel guides salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do tour and travel guides make in California?
The median is $42,210 a year - that works out to about $20.3 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $33,700, and experienced tour and travel guides can clear $65,720. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $42K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,924/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $2,201/month (median of metro areas), which eats 75.3% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a tour and travel guides salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median tour and travel guides salary is worth about $42,210 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do tour and travel guides get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.