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Docent Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Saks

Saks Fifth Avenue Docent

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$22.03 - $27.54/hr

Salary Range $22.03 - $27.54* Who You Are: * A skilled multi-tasker who can pivot to support team members where needed * Deliver high service standards in alignment with customer expectations

Petersen Automotive Museum

Tour Guide

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$20/hr

Docent will be on call for tour requests and may be required to do a tour last minute if the tour is booked on the day of their shift. * Train to Gallery Interpret and interpret in the galleries ...

Urban Alchemy

LA Practitioner

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$17 - $24/hr

SERVING AS A DOCENT: Answer questions about San Francisco, and especially about the area in which you are assigned. Learn and know the surrounding area and buildings. Be able to narrate the uses of ...

URBAN ALCHEMY

LA Practitioner

Los Angeles, CA

$17 - $24/hr

SERVING AS A DOCENT: Answer questions about San Francisco, and especially about the area in which you are assigned. Learn and know the surrounding area and buildings. Be able to narrate the uses of ...

URBAN ALCHEMY

SF Practitioner

San Francisco, CA

$17.50 - $26/hr

SERVING AS A DOCENT: Answer questions about San Francisco, and especially about the area in which you are assigned. Learn and know the surrounding area and buildings. Be able to narrate the uses of ...

Urban Alchemy

SF Practitioner

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$17.50 - $26/hr

SERVING AS A DOCENT: Answer questions about San Francisco, and especially about the area in which you are assigned. Learn and know the surrounding area and buildings. Be able to narrate the uses of ...

Urban Alchemy , LLC

SF Practitioner

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$21.25 - $26/hr

SERVING AS A DOCENT: Answer questions about San Francisco, and especially about the area in which you are assigned. Learn and know the surrounding area and buildings. Be able to narrate the uses of ...

City of Dublin, CA

Volunteer

Dublin, CA · On-site

As a docent, you will learn and enjoy meaningful time spent in a beautiful park setting. You will be sharing with the public Dublin's agricultural past. Training materials and coaching will be ...

City of Dublin (CA)

Volunteer

Dublin, CA

As a docent, you will learn and enjoy meaningful time spent in a beautiful park setting. You will be sharing with the public Dublin's agricultural past. Training materials and coaching will be ...

The Living Desert

Tour Guide Supervisor

Palm Desert, CA · On-site

$28.37/hr

Prior experience as a volunteer, team member, tour guide, educator, docent, supervisor, or lead worker preferred. Valid California driver's license, acceptable driving record, and ability to remain ...

All JobsDocent JobsDocent Jobs in California

Docent information

See California salary details

$5

$19

$25

How much do docent jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for docent in California is $19.63, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.23 and $25.14 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Do docents make money?

Docents are typically volunteers who lead tours and provide educational information at museums, zoos, or cultural sites, and they usually do not receive a salary. Some institutions may offer stipends or small honorariums for their work, but most rely on volunteer efforts. Paid positions for docents are less common and often require additional qualifications or experience.

How does a docent typically collaborate with other museum staff to enhance visitor experiences?

Docents often work closely with curators, educators, and visitor services teams to ensure that tours and educational programs are engaging and accurate. They attend regular training sessions to stay updated on new exhibits and interpretive techniques, and may participate in planning meetings to coordinate special events or group visits. This collaboration helps create a cohesive visitor experience, as docents share insights from guest interactions that can inform exhibit updates and educational materials.

What is the difference between Docent vs Tour Guide?

AspectDocentTour Guide
Required CredentialsOften no formal certification, but knowledge of subject matterMay require licensing or certification depending on location
Work EnvironmentMuseums, galleries, educational institutionsTourist attractions, historical sites, city tours
Employer & IndustryEducational and cultural institutionsTravel and tourism industry
Common Search & ComparisonEducational, museum-based rolesTravel, sightseeing roles

While both Docents and Tour Guides engage with the public and provide educational information, Docents typically work within museums or galleries focusing on specific exhibits and may not require formal certification. Tour Guides usually lead groups at tourist sites, often needing licensing or certification, and work in the travel and tourism industry. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right role based on your interests and qualifications.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Docent, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Docent, you need strong subject-matter expertise, excellent public speaking skills, and typically a background in education, history, or the arts. Familiarity with audio-visual equipment and visitor management systems is often required for effective presentations and group coordination. Exceptional interpersonal skills, enthusiasm, and adaptability help docents engage diverse audiences and foster memorable learning experiences. These skills ensure that visitors receive accurate information and an engaging, educational experience tailored to their interests.

Can I work at a museum without a degree?

Museum docents typically do not need a formal degree but should have good communication skills, knowledge of the exhibits, and often undergo training provided by the museum. Some positions may prefer or require relevant experience or certifications, but a degree is generally not mandatory for entry-level docent roles.

What are docents?

Docents are trained volunteers or staff members who serve as guides and educators at museums, zoos, historical sites, and other cultural institutions. They lead tours, answer visitor questions, and provide interpretive information about exhibits or collections. Docents play a key role in enhancing the visitor experience by making learning engaging and accessible. Their responsibilities may also include developing educational materials and participating in outreach programs.

What is the highest paying job at a museum?

The highest paying jobs at a museum are typically senior management roles such as museum directors or chief curators, who oversee operations, collections, and staff. These positions often require advanced degrees, extensive experience, and leadership skills, and they can earn six-figure salaries depending on the institution's size and funding.

What is the job description of a docent?

A docent is a volunteer or staff member who guides visitors through museums, galleries, or historical sites, providing educational information about exhibits and collections. They often lead tours, answer questions, and help enhance visitors' understanding and experience, typically requiring good communication skills and knowledge of the subject matter.
What are the most commonly searched types of Docent jobs in California? The most popular types of Docent jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Docent jobs in California? For Docent jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Docent jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Docent jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Docent jobs? Cities in California with the most Docent job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Docent jobs in CA? For Docent jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Docent jobs near you
Infographic showing various Docent job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 62% Full Time, 25% Part Time, and 13% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $40,833 per year, or $19.6 per hour.

Nature Hikes Docent in Woodside

Friends of Huddart & Wunderlich Parks

Redwood City, CA • On-site

Other

Posted 12 days ago

Job description

Do you love children, nature, and helping future generations enjoy and protect the environment? We need docents to help with kindergarten through middle school field trips. Docents lead kids and families on trails in two redwood parks in Woodside (Huddart Park and Wunderlich Park). During the hike, docents help children discover sticky monkey flowers, giant redwood trees, banana slugs, and turret spider nests among many other wonders. Some hikes include hands-on activities, sharing with students the animals that live in the park, birds and nesting, and Ohlone traditions. These positions are ideal for people who are interested in environmental education, hiking, and nature. Volunteers get to work hands on with children, and enjoy hiking in a beautiful location. No experience is necessary, training is provided.

Our traditional field trip program for children is on weekdays from 9:30am-12:30pm. We also host hikes and activities for a wide range of organizations and family groups that can happen on weekends and afternoons. We work with doctors interested in sharing the health benefits of nature with their patients, youth organizations serving young people who may have never had the opportunity to hike in a redwood forest, and other groups who face barriers to recreating in the outdoors and would like a welcoming introduction to hiking.

You can learn more about our organization at our website: http://huddartwunderlichfriends.org/

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