California Median
$46,000
per year
Hourly Rate
$22.12
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+21% vs US median
US median $38,120
State Rank
#4 of 50
6,900 employed here
How much do Tour and Travel Guides make in California?
Tour and Travel Guides working in California earn a median salary of $46,000 per year, or about $22.12 per hour. That is 21% above the national median of $38,120 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $36,500 while the top 10% make $66,220 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $38,770 and $57,510 a year.
Tour and Travel Guides salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,500 | $17.55 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $38,770 | $18.64 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $46,000 | $22.12 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $57,510 | $27.65 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $66,220 | $31.84 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 4th out of 50 states and territories for Tour and Travel Guides pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Tour and Travel Guides salary in other states
Washington $54,160District of Columbia $49,210Wyoming $47,020Hawaii $45,940Vermont $45,920Maine $44,940New York $44,450Alaska $44,210Kansas $43,700Colorado $42,840Florida $41,600New Hampshire $41,600Maryland $40,310Georgia $40,190Montana $40,100Minnesota $39,650Nevada $39,360Oregon $39,260Utah $38,540Rhode Island $38,310Idaho $37,960Massachusetts $37,840Arizona $37,560New Mexico $37,080Illinois $36,780New Jersey $36,640Kentucky $36,070North Dakota $35,360South Carolina $35,190South Dakota $35,100Connecticut $35,090Michigan $35,090Arkansas $34,290Tennessee $33,760Delaware $33,210Texas $33,080Pennsylvania $32,910Ohio $32,800North Carolina $32,570Oklahoma $32,150Louisiana $32,060Missouri $31,980Alabama $31,700Nebraska $31,580Indiana $31,030Wisconsin $30,160West Virginia $28,570Mississippi $27,460Iowa $22,490
Working as Tour and Travel Guides in California
Nationally, about 54,000 people work as Tour and Travel Guides in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($46,000) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Tour and Travel Guides make in California?
The median Tour and Travel Guides salary in California is $46,000 per year, or about $22.12 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,500 at the entry level to $66,220 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Tour and Travel Guides about 21% more than the national median of $38,120. California ranks 4th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Tour and Travel Guides?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $46,000 a year. About 6,900 Tour and Travel Guides are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Tour and Travel Guides salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.