Salary and Outlook
According to the US Department of Labor, there are 43,400 people employed as tour guides and escorts in
the United States.
The median annual salary is $29,780.
Entry level employees earn approximately $20,950 per year and senior employees earn approximately $47,800
per year.
Estimates do not include other potential benefits such as health insurance, overtime, or retirement benefits that may be offered by employers.
Job Duties
- Perform clerical duties, such as filing, typing, operating switchboards, or routing mail and messages.
- Solicit tour patronage and sell souvenirs.
- Speak foreign languages to communicate with foreign visitors.
- Research various topics, including site history, environmental conditions, and clients' skills and abilities to plan appropriate expeditions, instruction, and commentary.
- Provide directions and other pertinent information to visitors.
- Select travel routes and sites to be visited based on knowledge of specific areas.
- Provide for physical safety of groups, performing such activities as providing first aid or directing emergency evacuations.
- Assemble and check the required supplies and equipment prior to departure.
- Greet and register visitors, and issue any required identification badges or safety devices.
- Distribute brochures, show audiovisual presentations, and explain establishment processes and operations at tour sites.
- Drive motor vehicles to transport visitors to establishments and tour site locations.
- Train other guides and volunteers.
- Provide information about wildlife varieties and habitats, as well as any relevant regulations, such as those pertaining to hunting and fishing.
- Teach skills, such as proper climbing methods, and demonstrate and advise on the use of equipment.
- Collect fees and tickets from group members.
- Monitor visitors' activities to ensure compliance with establishment or tour regulations and safety practices.
- Conduct educational activities for school children.
- 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.