Tour and Travel Guides salary in Illinois
Tour and Travel Guides in Illinois earn a median of $36,780 a year ($17.68 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,090 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,930 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $38,120. Illinois ranks 26th of 50 states for tour and travel guides pay. There are 0.18 tour and travel guides per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.52). The average (mean) salary is $38,420, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tour and travel guides in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 25th percentile | $33,160 | $15.94 |
| Median | $36,780 | $17.68 |
| 75th percentile | $40,210 | $19.33 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,930 | $22.08 |
| Average (mean) | $38,420 | $18.47 |
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 | $3,065 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,532.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,414.62 |
| Weekly | $707.31 |
| Hourly | $17.68 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $36,780 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Tour and Travel Guides salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Springfield, IL | $41,660 | 40 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $36,870 | 840 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $31,980 | 950 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $31,960 | 30 |
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 Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $35,830 | $17.23 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $46,800 | $22.50 |
| Recreation Worker | $35,480 | $17.06 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $34,040 | $16.37 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $32,770 | $15.75 |
| Animal Caretaker | $35,570 | $17.10 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $34,560 | $16.61 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $47,020 | $22.61 |
| Skincare Specialist | $45,330 | $21.79 |
| Residential Advisor | $44,130 | $21.22 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $49,150 | $23.63 |
| Gambling Dealer | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $37,050 | $17.81 |
| Baggage Porters and Bellhops | $40,390 | $19.42 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for tour and travel guides in Illinois is $36,780 a year, or $17.68 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,930 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tour and travel guides make in Illinois?
The top 10% of tour and travel guides in Illinois earn at least $45,930 a year. The top 25% earn $40,210 or more.
What is the starting pay for tour and travel guides in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,200 a year, and a quarter of tour and travel guides earn $33,160 or less.
How many tour and travel guides work in Illinois?
About 1,090 tour and travel guides are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.