Tour and Travel Guides salary in Madison, WI
Tour and Travel Guides in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median of $31,170 a year ($14.98 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37,710 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $38,120. Pay here is 3% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $30,160. There are 0.32 tour and travel guides per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $32,770, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tour and travel guides in Madison, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,650 | $11.37 |
| 25th percentile | $28,010 | $13.47 |
| Median | $31,170 | $14.98 |
| 75th percentile | $35,090 | $16.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $37,710 | $18.13 |
| Average (mean) | $32,770 | $15.75 |
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 | $2,597.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,298.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,198.85 |
| Weekly | $599.42 |
| Hourly | $14.98 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $31,170 salary, see how much house you can afford in Wisconsin 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $39,650 | 380 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $33,700 | 40 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $30,160 | 340 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $30,010 | 40 |
| Green Bay, WI | $29,780 | n/a |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $48,720 | $23.42 |
| Animal Caretaker | $34,160 | $16.42 |
| Recreation Worker | $34,030 | $16.36 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $36,490 | $17.54 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $32,460 | $15.60 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $47,310 | $22.75 |
| Childcare Worker | $34,450 | $16.56 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $50,620 | $24.34 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $39,020 | $18.76 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $28,110 | $13.52 |
| Skincare Specialist | $37,720 | $18.14 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $27,840 | $13.38 |
| Residential Advisor | $44,170 | $21.23 |
| Animal Trainer | $41,130 | $19.77 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Madison, WI
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 Madison, WI?
The median salary for tour and travel guides in the Madison, WI metro area is $31,170 a year, or $14.98 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37,710 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tour and travel guides make in Madison, WI?
The top 10% of tour and travel guides in the Madison, WI metro area earn at least $37,710 a year. The top 25% earn $35,090 or more.
What is the starting pay for tour and travel guides in Madison, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,650 a year, and a quarter of tour and travel guides earn $28,010 or less.
How many tour and travel guides work in Madison, WI?
About 130 tour and travel guides are employed in the Madison, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.