Tour and Travel Guides salary in Iowa
Tour and Travel Guides in Iowa earn a median of $22,490 a year ($10.81 an hour), based on BLS data for 330 workers.
Pay ranges from $20,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,000 for the top 10%. That is 41% lower than the national median of $38,120. Iowa ranks 50th of 50 states for tour and travel guides pay. There are 0.21 tour and travel guides per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.61). The average (mean) salary is $28,730, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tour and travel guides in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $20,800 | $10.00 |
| 25th percentile | $21,260 | $10.22 |
| Median | $22,490 | $10.81 |
| 75th percentile | $35,010 | $16.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $43,000 | $20.67 |
| Average (mean) | $28,730 | $13.81 |
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 | $1,874.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $937.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $865 |
| Weekly | $432.50 |
| Hourly | $10.81 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Tour and Travel Guides salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $32,720 | 200 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $31,960 | 30 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $22,490 | 110 |
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 Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $28,420 | $13.66 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $27,430 | $13.19 |
| Animal Caretaker | $30,080 | $14.46 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $35,700 | $17.17 |
| Recreation Worker | $33,700 | $16.20 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $36,160 | $17.39 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $41,950 | $20.17 |
| Gambling Dealer | $23,020 | $11.07 |
| Residential Advisor | $36,850 | $17.72 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $38,780 | $18.64 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $25,720 | $12.37 |
| Skincare Specialist | $37,080 | $17.83 |
| Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers | $63,700 | $30.63 |
| Funeral Attendant | $40,060 | $19.26 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for tour and travel guides in Iowa is $22,490 a year, or $10.81 an hour. Pay ranges from $20,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tour and travel guides make in Iowa?
The top 10% of tour and travel guides in Iowa earn at least $43,000 a year. The top 25% earn $35,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for tour and travel guides in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $20,800 a year, and a quarter of tour and travel guides earn $21,260 or less.
How many tour and travel guides work in Iowa?
About 330 tour and travel guides are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.