Tour and Travel Guides salary in Salinas, CA
Tour and Travel Guides in the Salinas, CA metro area earn a median of $46,130 a year ($22.18 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,690 for the top 10%. That is 21% higher than the national median of $38,120. Pay here is about the same as the California statewide median of $46,000. There are 0.64 tour and travel guides per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $45,760, close to the median.
Pay range for tour and travel guides in Salinas, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,630 | $16.65 |
| 25th percentile | $37,790 | $18.17 |
| Median | $46,130 | $22.18 |
| 75th percentile | $50,380 | $24.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,690 | $28.70 |
| Average (mean) | $45,760 | $22.00 |
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 | $3,844.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,922.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,774.23 |
| Weekly | $887.12 |
| Hourly | $22.18 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $46,130 salary, see how much house you can afford in California 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 |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $59,330 | 640 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $54,550 | 120 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $52,480 | 970 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $47,740 | 280 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $47,170 | 170 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $45,620 | 110 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $44,270 | 50 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $43,670 | 120 |
| Napa, CA | $43,280 | 140 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $42,870 | 2,360 |
| Visalia, CA | $41,870 | 30 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $41,770 | 280 |
| Fresno, CA | $40,980 | 80 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $40,450 | 850 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $36,440 | 40 |
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 California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Salinas, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Recreation Worker | $38,260 | $18.39 |
| Childcare Worker | $39,520 | $19.00 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $36,290 | $17.45 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $59,910 | $28.80 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $36,630 | $17.61 |
| Animal Caretaker | $37,960 | $18.25 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $37,970 | $18.25 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $57,060 | $27.44 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $36,390 | $17.50 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $57,360 | $27.58 |
| Skincare Specialist | $50,640 | $24.35 |
| Concierge | $43,210 | $20.78 |
| Baggage Porters and Bellhops | $38,000 | $18.27 |
| Locker Room, Coatroom, and Dressing Room Attendants | $54,880 | $26.38 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Salinas, CA
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 Salinas, CA?
The median salary for tour and travel guides in the Salinas, CA metro area is $46,130 a year, or $22.18 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,690 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tour and travel guides make in Salinas, CA?
The top 10% of tour and travel guides in the Salinas, CA metro area earn at least $59,690 a year. The top 25% earn $50,380 or more.
What is the starting pay for tour and travel guides in Salinas, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,630 a year, and a quarter of tour and travel guides earn $37,790 or less.
How many tour and travel guides work in Salinas, CA?
About 120 tour and travel guides are employed in the Salinas, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.