Travel Guides
SOC code 39-7012 · O*NET-SOC 39-7012.00 · Little to some preparation needed
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Travel Guides pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$38,120
a year
Hourly
$18.33
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$43,720
$21.02 per hour
Middle 50%
$32,910 – $47,700
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$28,520 – $60,930
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
53,500
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
These pay and employment figures are for the broader BLS group “Tour and Travel Guides”, not this job alone.
- 10th percentile
- $28,520
- $13.71/hr
- 25th percentile
- $32,910
- $15.82/hr
- Median percentile
- $38,120
- $18.33/hr
- 75th percentile
- $47,700
- $22.93/hr
- 90th percentile
- $60,930
- $29.29/hr
What does a travel guide do?
Plan, organize, and conduct long-distance travel, tours, and expeditions for individuals and groups.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Explain hunting and fishing laws to groups to ensure compliance.
- Lead individuals or groups to tour site locations and describe points of interest.
- Pilot airplanes or drive land and water vehicles to transport tourists to activity or tour sites.
- Arrange for tour or expedition details such as accommodations, transportation, equipment, and the availability of medical personnel.
- Plan tour itineraries, applying knowledge of travel routes and destination sites.
- Resolve any problems with itineraries, service, or accommodations.
- Sell or rent equipment, clothing, and supplies related to expeditions.
- Attend to special needs of tour participants.
How to become a travel guide
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 46% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)46%
- Some College Courses21%
- Less than a High School Diploma18%
- Post-Secondary Certificate9%
Common questions
How much does a travel guide earn?
The national median is $38,120 a year. The full range runs from $28,520 at the 10th percentile to $60,930 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a travel guide without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Speaking4.0/5
- Active Listening3.9/5
- Reading Comprehension3.3/5
- Writing3.1/5
- Critical Thinking3.1/5
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service4.3/5
- English Language3.3/5
- Sales and Marketing3.2/5
- Administrative3.0/5
- Transportation2.9/5
- Administration and Management2.9/5
- Geography2.9/5
- Economics and Accounting2.7/5
Transferable strengths: Service Orientation, Social Perceptiveness, Coordination, Persuasion, Time Management.