Tour and Travel Guides salary in Kentucky
Tour and Travel Guides in Kentucky earn a median of $36,070 a year ($17.34 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,010 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,690 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $38,120. Kentucky ranks 28th of 50 states for tour and travel guides pay. There are 0.51 tour and travel guides per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $37,680, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tour and travel guides in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,090 | $13.50 |
| 25th percentile | $32,910 | $15.82 |
| Median | $36,070 | $17.34 |
| 75th percentile | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,690 | $22.93 |
| Average (mean) | $37,680 | $18.12 |
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 | $3,005.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,502.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,387.31 |
| Weekly | $693.65 |
| Hourly | $17.34 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $36,070 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kentucky at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Tour and Travel Guides salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green, KY | $40,330 | 100 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $37,800 | 460 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $35,160 | 80 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $32,800 | 420 |
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 Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Caretaker | $30,720 | $14.77 |
| Childcare Worker | $28,920 | $13.90 |
| Recreation Worker | $32,400 | $15.58 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $27,210 | $13.08 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $29,840 | $14.35 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $45,280 | $21.77 |
| Residential Advisor | $30,260 | $14.55 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $25,930 | $12.46 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $41,870 | $20.13 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $41,490 | $19.95 |
| Skincare Specialist | $38,580 | $18.55 |
| Funeral Attendant | $29,160 | $14.02 |
| Animal Trainer | $34,030 | $16.36 |
| Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers | $43,320 | $20.83 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for tour and travel guides in Kentucky is $36,070 a year, or $17.34 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,690 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tour and travel guides make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of tour and travel guides in Kentucky earn at least $47,690 a year. The top 25% earn $41,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for tour and travel guides in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,090 a year, and a quarter of tour and travel guides earn $32,910 or less.
How many tour and travel guides work in Kentucky?
About 1,010 tour and travel guides are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.