Tour and Travel Guides salary in Columbia, SC
Tour and Travel Guides in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $30,320 a year ($14.58 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,290 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $38,120. Pay here is 14% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $35,190. There are 0.16 tour and travel guides per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.47). The average (mean) salary is $30,620, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tour and travel guides in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,290 | $10.72 |
| 25th percentile | $22,290 | $10.72 |
| Median | $30,320 | $14.58 |
| 75th percentile | $34,010 | $16.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,290 | $23.22 |
| Average (mean) | $30,620 | $14.72 |
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 | $2,526.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,263.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,166.15 |
| Weekly | $583.08 |
| Hourly | $14.58 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $30,320 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Tour and Travel Guides salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $40,800 | 40 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $35,430 | 400 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $34,540 | 60 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $33,400 | 300 |
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 |
See Tour and Travel Guides pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $28,850 | $13.87 |
| Animal Caretaker | $30,720 | $14.77 |
| Recreation Worker | $30,140 | $14.49 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $25,720 | $12.37 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $45,870 | $22.05 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $30,710 | $14.76 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $42,770 | $20.56 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $48,020 | $23.09 |
| Residential Advisor | $39,660 | $19.07 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $22,400 | $10.77 |
| Funeral Attendant | $28,870 | $13.88 |
| Skincare Specialist | $37,870 | $18.21 |
| Concierge | $30,980 | $14.89 |
| Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers | $48,130 | $23.14 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
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 Columbia, SC?
The median salary for tour and travel guides in the Columbia, SC metro area is $30,320 a year, or $14.58 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,290 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tour and travel guides make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of tour and travel guides in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $48,290 a year. The top 25% earn $34,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for tour and travel guides in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,290 a year, and a quarter of tour and travel guides earn $22,290 or less.
How many tour and travel guides work in Columbia, SC?
About 60 tour and travel guides are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.