SOC 39-7010 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Tour and Travel Guides — Massachusetts
Massachusetts · 5 metro areas compared
The median wage here is $37,840 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $38,120.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage here is $37,840 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $38,120. Half of workers earn between $35,560 and $42,170. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $33,510 and the ninetieth at $50,960.
The area has 1,760 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.41 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Among the 50 states with published data for this occupation, Massachusetts ranks 23rd by median wage. Barnstable Town leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $38,880. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 686th of 717 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $33,510 | −12.1% |
| 25th | $35,560 | −6.7% |
| Median (50th) | $37,840 | −0.7% |
| 75th | $42,170 | +10.6% |
| 90th | $50,960 | +33.7% |
| Mean | $40,620 | +6.6% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Massachusetts
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barnstable Town | $38,880 | 110 | |
| 2 | Boston | $38,440 | 1,290 | |
| 3 | Worcester | $35,990 | 100 | |
| 4 | Pittsfield | $34,280 | 120 | |
| 5 | Springfield | $32,150 | 60 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Massachusetts run 5.8% above the national average, so the median of $37,840 buys what $35,766 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 6.2% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$37,840as reported by BLSLocal price level
105.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$35,766US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $37,840 a year, 0.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $33,510 to $50,960 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,760 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 23rd of 50 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Barnstable Town, at $38,880.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Tour and Travel Guides in Massachusetts?
The median annual wage is $37,840, or $18.19 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $38,120, so pay in Massachusetts is 0.7% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Massachusetts earns more than $50,960 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $33,510 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Barnstable Town, at $38,880 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,760 jobs in this occupation in Massachusetts. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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