Tour and Travel Guides Salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
In Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA, tour and travel guides earn $52,060 at the median — $25.03 an hour. The range runs from $39K at the entry level to $77K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 111.13), so that salary is closer to $46,846 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,501/month — about 69.2% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $52K get you in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
About tour and travel guides
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Entry-level tour and travel guides (10th percentile) start around $39K. Mid-career wages sit at $52K.Top earners bring in $77K or more - a $37K 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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do tour and travel guides make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median is $52,060 a year - that works out to about $25.03 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $39,290, and experienced tour and travel guides can clear $76,720. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $52K enough to live in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,656/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,501/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 68.4% 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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue has a Regional Price Parity of 111.13 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median tour and travel guides salary is worth about $46,846 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.