Travel Guides Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$36,500
- 25th Percentile — Junior$38,770
- 50th Percentile — Median$46,000
- 75th Percentile — Senior$57,510
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$66,220
Half of Travel Guides in California earn more than $46,000. The top 10% make $66,220 or more, while entry-level workers start around $36,500.
Travel Guides in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 6th of 50 states for Travel Guides pay, at $49,180 per year (12.5% above the U.S. average of $43,720).
- 6,900 people work as Travel Guides in California — 12.9% of all U.S. Travel Guides jobs.
- Location quotient 1.10: Travel Guides jobs are more concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $36,500; the top 10% earn over $66,220.
- Hourly equivalent: $23.64 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Arizona at $70,860.
- Among personal services jobs in California, Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors pays the most ($62,890).
Travel Guides Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Travel Guides here earn $49,180 on average, placing the state 6th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $49,180 is roughly equivalent to $34,634 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Washington ($56,820), District of Columbia ($52,460), Vermont ($51,440) are the closest alternatives for Travel Guides weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Personal Services Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors $62,890/yr California +27.9% vs this role
- Skincare Specialists $49,910/yr California +1.5% vs this role
- Hairdressers Hairstylists and Cosmetologists $48,290/yr California 1.8% vs this role
- Barbers $47,720/yr California 3.0% vs this role
- Recreation Workers $43,530/yr California 11.5% vs this role
- Childcare Workers $42,790/yr California 13.0% vs this role
- Animal Caretakers $42,730/yr California 13.1% vs this role
- Manicurists and Pedicurists $39,730/yr California 19.2% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Travel Guides salary in California?
The average Travel Guides salary in California is $49,180 per year (median $46,000), which is 12.5% above the national average of $43,720.
How does California rank for Travel Guides pay?
California ranks 6th out of 50 states. The highest-paying state is Arizona ($70,860/yr).
How much do entry-level Travel Guides make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Travel Guides in California earn about $36,500 per year and the 25th percentile is $38,770.
How much do Travel Guides make per hour in California?
About $23.64 per hour, based on the $49,180 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Travel Guides work in California?
BLS counts 6,900 Travel Guides jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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