Tour and Travel Guides Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $44,270 +20.8% vs national
Median hourly $21.29
10th percentile $36,980
90th percentile $65,370
Employed locally 50
National median $36,660

Compare Tour and Travel Guides salary & buying power

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Tour and Travel Guides
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Santa Cruz, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,980
    25th
    $37,670
    50th (median)
    $44,270
    75th
    $49,300
    90th
    $65,370

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Tour and Travel Guides salary vs area income 41% Median Tour and Travel Guides salary is 59% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Tour and Travel Guides

    Metro areaMedian salary
    South Central Tennessee nonmetropolitan area $57,230
    Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT $55,860
    Western Wyoming nonmetropolitan area $53,420
    Vermont $53,420
    Northern Vermont nonmetropolitan area $53,420
    District of Columbia $52,140

    Nearby metros — Tour and Travel Guides salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Casper, WY $51,120
    San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA $50,660
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $47,840
    Vallejo, CA $47,430
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $46,630
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $45,870

    Related occupations in Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Amusement and Recreation Attendants $34,690
    Childcare Workers $36,170
    Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors $52,510
    Recreation Workers $37,020
    Animal Caretakers $37,650
    Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists $39,790

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Tour and Travel Guides make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Tour and Travel Guides in Santa Cruz, CA is $21.29, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $31.43 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Tour and Travel Guides salaries?

    The median Tour and Travel Guides salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 20.8% above the national median of $36,660. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Tour and Travel Guides in Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Tour and Travel Guides (10th percentile) earn around $36,980 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $37,670.