Tour and Travel Guides Salary in Illinois (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Tour and Travel Guides in Illinois, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Illinois Median
$36,780
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.68
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-4% vs US median
US median $38,120
State Rank
#26 of 50
1,090 employed here

How much do Tour and Travel Guides make in Illinois?

Tour and Travel Guides working in Illinois earn a median salary of $36,780 per year, or about $17.68 per hour. That is 4% below the national median of $38,120 for this occupation.

Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $31,200 while the top 10% make $45,930 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $33,160 and $40,210 a year.

Tour and Travel Guides salary range in Illinois

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$31,200$15.00
25th percentile (early career)$33,160$15.94
50th percentile (median)$36,780$17.68
75th percentile (experienced)$40,210$19.33
90th percentile (top earners)$45,930$22.08

How Illinois compares

Illinois ranks 26th out of 50 states and territories for Tour and Travel Guides pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Washington$54,160
2District of Columbia$49,210
3Wyoming$47,020
4California$46,000
5Hawaii$45,940

Working as Tour and Travel Guides in Illinois

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 Illinois pay ($36,780) 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 Illinois?
The median Tour and Travel Guides salary in Illinois is $36,780 per year, or about $17.68 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $31,200 at the entry level to $45,930 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Tour and Travel Guides about 4% less than the national median of $38,120. Illinois ranks 26th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Tour and Travel Guides?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $36,780 a year. About 1,090 Tour and Travel Guides are employed in Illinois. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), 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.