Tour and Travel Guides salary in South Dakota
Tour and Travel Guides in South Dakota earn a median of $35,100 a year ($16.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 440 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,080 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $38,120. South Dakota ranks 31st of 50 states for tour and travel guides pay. There are 0.97 tour and travel guides per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $37,640, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tour and travel guides in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,780 | $14.32 |
| 25th percentile | $33,800 | $16.25 |
| Median | $35,100 | $16.88 |
| 75th percentile | $39,540 | $19.01 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,080 | $22.16 |
| Average (mean) | $37,640 | $18.10 |
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 | $2,925 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,462.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,350 |
| Weekly | $675 |
| Hourly | $16.88 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $35,100 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 cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $36,120 | 50 |
| Rapid City, SD | $35,490 | 120 |
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 South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $27,940 | $13.43 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $29,730 | $14.29 |
| Residential Advisor | $38,420 | $18.47 |
| Animal Caretaker | $30,390 | $14.61 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $40,070 | $19.26 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $49,800 | $23.94 |
| Recreation Worker | $42,270 | $20.32 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $49,860 | $23.97 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $29,430 | $14.15 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $45,310 | $21.79 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $44,470 | $21.38 |
| Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers | $47,840 | $23.00 |
| Gambling Dealer | $36,190 | $17.40 |
| Skincare Specialist | $38,230 | $18.38 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
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 South Dakota?
The median salary for tour and travel guides in South Dakota is $35,100 a year, or $16.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,080 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tour and travel guides make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of tour and travel guides in South Dakota earn at least $46,080 a year. The top 25% earn $39,540 or more.
What is the starting pay for tour and travel guides in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,780 a year, and a quarter of tour and travel guides earn $33,800 or less.
How many tour and travel guides work in South Dakota?
About 440 tour and travel guides are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.