What Does A Tour Guide Do (including Their Typical Day at Work)

Stan T.Career, Overview

Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Tour Guides

Tour Guides escort individuals or groups on sightseeing tours or through places of interest, such as industrial establishments, public buildings, and art galleries.

Salary
$32200
Becoming One
Medium
Education
No degree required
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth

Personality
Interest Match


What they do

Tour Guides escort individuals or groups on sightseeing tours or through places of interest, such as industrial establishments, public buildings, and art galleries.

  • Describe tour points of interest to group members, and respond to questions.
  • Escort individuals or groups on cruises, sightseeing tours, or through places of interest such as industrial establishments, public buildings, or art galleries.
  • Conduct educational activities for school children.
  • Monitor visitors’ activities to ensure compliance with establishment or tour regulations and safety practices.

Typical day

On a daily basis, Tour Guides and Escorts assemble and check the required supplies and equipment prior to departure. They greet and register visitors, and issue any required identification badges or safety devices.

A typical day for a Tour Guide and Escort will also include:

  • Solicit tour patronage and sell souvenirs.
  • Describe tour points of interest to group members, and respond to questions.
  • Provide directions and other pertinent information to visitors.
  • Provide information about wildlife varieties and habitats, as well as any relevant regulations, such as those pertaining to hunting and fishing.
  • Distribute brochures, show audiovisual presentations, and explain establishment processes and operations at tour sites.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Tour Guides and Escorts also teach skills, such as proper climbing methods, and demonstrate and advise on the use of equipment. They may also provide information about wildlife varieties and habitats, as well as any relevant regulations, such as those pertaining to hunting and fishing.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Tour Guides and Escorts conduct educational activities for school children. They might also distribute brochures, show audiovisual presentations, and explain establishment processes and operations at tour sites.

In addition, they research various topics, including site history, environmental conditions, and clients’ skills and abilities to plan appropriate expeditions, instruction, and commentary.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them provide directions and other pertinent information to visitors.

To some Tour Guides and Escorts, it is also their responsibility to monitor visitors’ activities to ensure compliance with establishment or tour regulations and safety practices.

What is the job like

Job satisfaction

Average

Is this job meaningful

High

69% said they were satisfied with their job and 60% said they found their job meaningful.


An e-bike tour guide company

I am managing a tour guide for an e-bike tour guide company. On top of this, I am also one of our tour guides. My Typical Day We host groups between 4 and 10 people multiple times a day and take them on interactive e-bike tours throughout the city, riverfronts, and artistic viewpoints. A typical … Read More


Firelight Safari Tanzania

My typical day when I’m guiding a safari Wake up with the birds Gather the group and get out with animals as early as possible; guide driver to places where wild lions, leopards, elephant, zebra, giraffe, hippos, crocodiles, wildebeest, Cape buffalo, flamingos, ostrich, gazelles, birds of every sort gather and SHOW them how nature works. … Read More


MaxTour

I am a Tour Guide at MaxTour. There are two types of tour guides, walking tour guides (leading guests on a walking tour), and driving tour guides (drive a van around showing guests different spots). I am a driving tour guide, it is the more demanding yet better paying option of the two. A typical … Read More


ForeverBarcelona Private Tours

My name is Marta Laurent Veciana and I’ve been in the Tourism industry for over 20 years now. After working for local tourist sites and other tour operators I founded my own private tour company ForeverBarcelona Private Tours. As the owner of the company, my responsibilities have two very different sides. One is giving tours, … Read More


Unique Ascent

My name is Iain Miller and I run Unique Ascent which is a tour guiding and adventure experience company in County Donegal on the northwest tip of the Republic of Ireland. My official job title would be company owner but as I am the principal guide my job description is a tour guide. My unique … Read More


Happy Journeys Co

My name is Peyton Jordan and I am a tour director who has been working in the travel and tourism industry for 8 years! I lead groups of approximately 40 people around different cities, national parks, and countries for multi-day vacations! I also recently started my own company called Happy Journeys Co. that offers privately … Read More


Pros

Suitable for people who like to help and teach others.

Suitable for people who value relationships between co-workers and customers and want to work in a friendly non-competitive environment.

This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.

It is not too difficult to get into this career. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.

Short working hours (Less than 40 hours per week).

Cons

Not suitable for people who like to follow routines.

One of the lowest paying jobs.

How much do they make

Average salary

$32200 per year

Average hourly wage

$15 per hour

Entry-level Tour Guides with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $20,430 to $24,200 per year or $10 to $12 per hour.

Salary by experience Annual Hourly
Highest (Top 10%) $47,660 $23
Senior (Top 25%) $37,730 $18
Median $29,460 $14
Junior (Bottom 25%) $24,200 $12
No experience (Bottom 10%) $20,430 $10

This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Tour Guides based on their average annual salary.

Salary by industry Annual Hourly
Deep Sea, Coastal, and Great Lakes Water Transportation $60100 $28.89
Sporting Goods, Hobby, and Musical Instrument Stores $47760 $22.96
Gambling Industries $44920 $21.60
Other Schools and Instruction $42070 $20.22
Elementary and Secondary Schools $40760 $19.60
Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations $38650 $18.58
Employment Services $38520 $18.52
Other Support Services $38090 $18.31
Federal Executive Branch $38010 $18.27
Inland Water Transportation $37080 $17.83

View more salary by industries here.

Where can they work

Where can Tour Guides work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Tour Guides including the average salary in that industry.

Employers Total Employed Annual Salary Hourly Wages
Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions 13710 $29440 $14.15
Travel Arrangement and Reservation Services 6480 $36960 $17.77
Other Amusement and Recreation Industries 4350 $32320 $15.54
Local Government 1540 $29790 $14.32
Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Land 1330 $34130 $16.41
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools 1040 $29030 $13.96
Amusement Parks and Arcades 940 $31640 $15.21
Federal Executive Branch 880 $38010 $18.27
State Government 870 $28930 $13.91
Beverage Manufacturing 530 $33990 $16.34

What is the work day like

Working hours

Less than 40 hours
77%

40 hours
19%

More than 40 hours
4%

Working schedule

51%

12%

37%

Email

How often do you use email in this job?

Once a week
39%

Every day
12%

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Once a week
19%

Every day
11%

Group discussions

How often do you have group discussions in this job?

Once a week
33%

Every day
58%

Public speaking

How often does this job require you to do public speaking?

Never
0%

Once a year
0%

Once a month
9%

Once a week
33%

Every day
58%

Level of competition

How much competitive pressure is in this job?

Not competitive at all
31%

Slightly competitive
23%

Moderately competitive
42%

Highly competitive
5%

Extremely competitive
0%

What is the work environment like

Office-style environment

Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition

Never
19%

Once a year or more
3%

Once a month or more
14%

Once a week or more
43%

Every day
21%

Warehouse-style environment

Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse

Never
52%

Once a year or more
23%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
11%

Every day
13%

Outdoors

Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions

Never
31%

Once a year or more
17%

Once a month or more
19%

Once a week or more
11%

Every day
22%

Outdoors – Under Cover

Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)

Never
59%

Once a year or more
5%

Once a month or more
7%

Once a week or more
13%

Every day
15%

How to become one

Difficulty to become one

Medium
You will need previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience. Most careers in this difficulty category require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an Associate’s degree, and one or two years of on-the-job training. Similar careers include Travel Agents, Agricultural Technicians, Court Reports, and Medical Assistants.

Required level of education

What level of education do you need to perform the job?

Less than a High School Diploma
4%

High School Diploma or equivalent
22%

Post-Secondary Certificate
8%

Some College Courses
2%

Associate’s Degree or similar
31%

Bachelor’s Degree
30%

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
2%

Master’s Degree
2%

Post-Master’s Certificate
0%

First Professional Degree
0%

Doctoral Degree
0%

Post-Doctoral Training
0%

Relevant majors

History

A program that focuses on the general study and interpretation of the past, including the gathering, recording, synthesizing and criticizing of evidence and theories about past events. Includes instruction in historiography; historical research methods; studies of specific periods, issues and cultures; and applications to areas such as historic preservation, public policy, and records administration.

Archeology

A program that focuses on the systematic study of extinct societies, and the past of living societies, via the excavation, analysis and interpretation of their artifactual, human, and associated remains. Includes instruction in archeological theory, field methods, dating methods, conservation and museum studies, cultural and physical evolution, and the study of specific selected past cultures.

Relevant work experience

How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?

None
22%

1 month
0%

1 to 3 months
5%

3 to 6 months
8%

6 months to 1 year
4%

1 to 2 years
39%

2 to 4 years
14%

4 to 6 years
8%

6 to 8 years
0%

8 to 10 years
0%

Over 10 years
0%

On The Job Training

How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?

None or short demonstration
0%

1 month
22%

1 to 3 months
28%

3 to 6 months
8%

6 months to 1 year
27%

1 to 2 years
15%

2 to 4 years
0%

4 to 10 years
0%

Over 10 years
0%

Should you become one

Best personality type for this career

The Helper

People with this personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.

The Builder
33%

People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.


The Thinker
19%

People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.


The Artist
38%

People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.


The Helper
95%

People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.


The Leader
67%

People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.


The Organizer
19%

People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.


You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tend to like working with, communicating with, and teaching people. They like helping or providing service to others.

They also like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.

Work Values

Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?

Achievement
29%

You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.

Working Conditions
36%

You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.

Recognition
33%

You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.

Relationships
81%

You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.

Support
43%

You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.

Independence
38%

You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.

FAQ

What do Tour Guides do off season?

In the off season, we unfortunately are closed down. We do work for a few weeks doing some maintenance on the equipment though..but that still leaves us with 4 months of winter time off. A lot of us have other jobs, and I’ve actually been working as a kids snowboard instructor…but the options you have … Read More

Answered by:
Carmel Young
Tour Guide


Don’t know which career to pursue?

Take the career quiz to find careers that match your personality type.

Take The Career Quiz