Also known as: Adventure Guide, Alpine Guide, Cruise Agent, Cruise Consultant
Your day begins in a small office in San Francisco's Mission District. You boot up your laptop, opening *Outlook* to check for urgent emails and reviewing today's walking tour schedule on *Google Calendar*. A message on *Slack* from Maria, a fellow guide, confirms a small group for your afternoon Chinatown food tour. You quickly respond, ensuring you both have the latest updates on dietary restrictions and meeting points. Planning and coordination are always underway before anyone even sets foot on a tour.
Software and technologies flagged by O*NET as Hot or In-Demand for this role.
O*NET flags this career as a Bright Outlook occupation: grows rapidly over the next decade.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections; O*NET Bright Outlook.
How this work is typically performed, based on O*NET work context data.
Source: O*NET Work Context (v31.0)
The outlook for Travel Guides is stable through 2035, with rapid growth expected in the field, suggesting good opportunities. Starting in roles like a tour assistant can lead to becoming a Travel Guide. With experience, you might advance to managing a travel agency or specializing as an adventure travel consultant.
Career ladder
Often before this role
Where it can lead
$25,662 - $51,324 per year
Estimated for US-wide average
Bachelor's Degree
Minimum educational requirement for this position
Based on job level & field
Tourism and Travel Services Management
Bachelor • Business & Economics • 4 years
Travel and Exploration
Bachelor • Social Sciences • 4 years
Tourism Promotion Operations
Bachelor • Business & Economics • 4 years
Tourism and Travel Services Marketing Operations
Bachelor • Business & Economics • 4 years
Environmental/Natural Resource Recreation and Tourism
Bachelor • Nature & Environment • 4 years
Meeting and Event Planning
Bachelor • Business & Economics • 4 years