Tour and Travel Guides salary in California
Tour and Travel Guides in California earn a median of $46,000 a year ($22.11 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,900 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $66,220 for the top 10%. That is 21% higher than the national median of $38,120. California ranks 4th of 50 states for tour and travel guides pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.38 tour and travel guides per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $49,180, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tour and travel guides in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,500 | $17.55 |
| 25th percentile | $38,770 | $18.64 |
| Median | $46,000 | $22.11 |
| 75th percentile | $57,510 | $27.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $66,220 | $31.84 |
| Average (mean) | $49,180 | $23.64 |
Half of tour and travel guides earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,833.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,916.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,769.23 |
| Weekly | $884.62 |
| Hourly | $22.11 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $46,000 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Tour and Travel Guides salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $59,330 | 640 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $54,550 | 120 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $52,480 | 970 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $47,740 | 280 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $47,170 | 170 |
| Salinas, CA | $46,130 | 120 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $45,620 | 110 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $44,270 | 50 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $43,670 | 120 |
| Napa, CA | $43,280 | 140 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $42,870 | 2,360 |
| Visalia, CA | $41,870 | 30 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $41,770 | 280 |
| Fresno, CA | $40,980 | 80 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $40,450 | 850 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $36,440 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for tour and travel guides
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $54,160 |
| District of Columbia | $49,210 |
| Wyoming | $47,020 |
| California | $46,000 |
| Hawaii | $45,940 |
| Vermont | $45,920 |
| Maine | $44,940 |
| New York | $44,450 |
| Alaska | $44,210 |
| Kansas | $43,700 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $37,000 | $17.79 |
| Childcare Worker | $40,020 | $19.24 |
| Recreation Worker | $39,780 | $19.12 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $57,990 | $27.88 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $36,630 | $17.61 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $38,660 | $18.59 |
| Animal Caretaker | $38,700 | $18.60 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $37,870 | $18.21 |
| Gambling Dealer | $35,090 | $16.87 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $53,620 | $25.78 |
| Skincare Specialist | $38,770 | $18.64 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $56,110 | $26.98 |
| Residential Advisor | $46,650 | $22.43 |
| Concierge | $43,560 | $20.94 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 39-7010. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a tour and travel guides make in California?
The median salary for tour and travel guides in California is $46,000 a year, or $22.11 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $66,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tour and travel guides make in California?
The top 10% of tour and travel guides in California earn at least $66,220 a year. The top 25% earn $57,510 or more.
What is the starting pay for tour and travel guides in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,500 a year, and a quarter of tour and travel guides earn $38,770 or less.
How many tour and travel guides work in California?
About 6,900 tour and travel guides are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.