Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Communicating clearly through speech while listening carefully to understand others.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Tour and travel guides typically need a high school diploma or the equivalent. Once hired, they usually receive training on the job. Some guides need a license. PayThe median annual wage for tour and travel guides was $38,120 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of tour and travel guides is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 11,900 openings for tour and travel guides are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for tour and travel guides. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of tour and travel guides with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about tour and travel guides by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for tour and travel guides was $38,120 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of tour and travel guides is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 11,900 openings for tour and travel guides are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for tour and travel guides. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of tour and travel guides with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about tour and travel guides by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of tour and travel guides is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 11,900 openings for tour and travel guides are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for tour and travel guides. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of tour and travel guides with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about tour and travel guides by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Tour and travel guides lead individuals or groups on excursions to various points of interest, including historical locations, museums, and monuments.
Work Environment
Tour and travel guides work in a variety of settings, both indoors and outdoors. They may spend long periods of time standing or walking. Part-time work is common. Work schedules may vary and can include weekends, evenings, and holidays.
How to Become a Tour or Travel Guide
Tour and travel guides typically need a high school diploma or the equivalent. Once hired, they usually receive training on the job. Some guides need a license.
Pay
The median annual wage for tour and travel guides was $38,120 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of tour and travel guides is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 11,900 openings for tour and travel guides are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for tour and travel guides.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of tour and travel guides with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about tour and travel guides by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Tour and travel guides work in a variety of settings, both indoors and outdoors. They may spend long periods of time standing or walking. Part-time work is common. Work schedules may vary and can include weekends, evenings, and holidays.
How to Become a Tour or Travel Guide
Tour and travel guides typically need a high school diploma or the equivalent. Once hired, they usually receive training on the job. Some guides need a license.
Pay
The median annual wage for tour and travel guides was $38,120 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of tour and travel guides is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 11,900 openings for tour and travel guides are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for tour and travel guides.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of tour and travel guides with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about tour and travel guides by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for tour and travel guides.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of tour and travel guides with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about tour and travel guides by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about tour and travel guides by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Explore Training Options
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.