Tour and Travel Guides salary in Rapid City, SD
Tour and Travel Guides in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn a median of $35,490 a year ($17.06 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,590 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $38,120. Pay here is 1% higher than the South Dakota statewide median of $35,100. There are 1.6 tour and travel guides per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 4.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $35,680, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tour and travel guides in Rapid City, SD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,270 | $14.07 |
| 25th percentile | $29,980 | $14.41 |
| Median | $35,490 | $17.06 |
| 75th percentile | $37,430 | $18.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,590 | $21.92 |
| Average (mean) | $35,680 | $17.15 |
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 | $2,957.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,478.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,365 |
| Weekly | $682.50 |
| Hourly | $17.06 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $35,490 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Dakota 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $36,120 | 50 |
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 Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rapid City, SD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $29,740 | $14.30 |
| Childcare Worker | $28,330 | $13.62 |
| Animal Caretaker | $32,090 | $15.43 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $48,440 | $23.29 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $46,530 | $22.37 |
| Recreation Worker | $39,850 | $19.16 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $50,990 | $24.52 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $47,600 | $22.89 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $46,790 | $22.49 |
| Skincare Specialist | $38,580 | $18.55 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $30,410 | $14.62 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Rapid City, SD
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 Rapid City, SD?
The median salary for tour and travel guides in the Rapid City, SD metro area is $35,490 a year, or $17.06 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tour and travel guides make in Rapid City, SD?
The top 10% of tour and travel guides in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn at least $45,590 a year. The top 25% earn $37,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for tour and travel guides in Rapid City, SD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,270 a year, and a quarter of tour and travel guides earn $29,980 or less.
How many tour and travel guides work in Rapid City, SD?
About 120 tour and travel guides are employed in the Rapid City, SD metro area, not counting the self-employed.