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Entry Level Cave Tour Guide Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Lost Canyon Cave Trail is a self-guided electric cart tour through an Ozarks landscape and cave, and the Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum celebrates the people, wildlife and history of the ...

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Entry Level Cave Tour Guide information

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$8

$18

$33

How much do entry level cave tour guide jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level cave tour guide in the United States is $18.81, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.42 and $21.15 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by entry level cave tour guides and how can they be addressed?

Entry level cave tour guides often encounter challenges such as managing group safety in confined spaces, adapting tours for varying physical abilities, and effectively engaging diverse audiences. To address these, guides receive training in emergency procedures, communication, and group management. It's important to be observant, adaptable, and proactive in ensuring guests feel comfortable and informed throughout the tour. Building confidence comes with experience and ongoing learning from more seasoned guides.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Cave Tour Guide, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Cave Tour Guide, you need a basic understanding of geology, strong verbal communication skills, and a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with safety equipment, tour scheduling systems, and first aid certification is often required. Exceptional interpersonal skills, enthusiasm, and the ability to remain calm under pressure help guides engage diverse groups and handle emergencies. These skills ensure safe, informative, and enjoyable experiences for visitors while maintaining safety standards in challenging environments.

What is the difference between Entry Level Cave Tour Guide vs Entry Level Mountain Guide?

AspectEntry Level Cave Tour GuideEntry Level Mountain Guide
CertificationsBasic tour guiding certifications, safety trainingFirst aid, outdoor safety, possibly mountain-specific certifications
Work EnvironmentUnderground caves, enclosed spacesMountain trails, outdoor terrains
Employer & IndustryTour companies, parks, attractionsOutdoor adventure companies, parks, resorts

Both roles involve guiding visitors and ensuring safety, but cave tour guides work primarily underground in enclosed caves, while mountain guides operate outdoors on trails and rugged terrains. Certifications overlap in safety and basic guiding skills, but mountain guides often require additional outdoor and first aid training. Understanding these differences helps travelers choose the right experience and professionals to ensure safety and enjoyment.

What are Entry Level Cave Tour Guides?

Entry Level Cave Tour Guides are professionals who lead groups of visitors through caves, providing information about the cave's geology, history, and ecosystem. They ensure the safety of guests, answer questions, and often assist in maintaining the cleanliness and preservation of the site. This role usually requires strong communication skills, a passion for the outdoors, and a willingness to learn about cave systems. Entry level guides typically receive on-the-job training and may work seasonally or year-round, depending on the location.
More about Entry Level Cave Tour Guide jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Cave Tour Guide jobs? The most popular types of Cave Tour Guide jobs are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Cave Tour Guide jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Cave Tour Guide jobs are:
Infographic showing various Entry Level Cave Tour Guide job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 96% Full Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $39,124 per year, or $18.8 per hour.
Seasonal Natural Resources Worker - Starve Hollow SRA

Seasonal Natural Resources Worker - Starve Hollow SRA

State of Indiana

Vallonia, IN • On-site

$12.25/hr

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


State Of Indiana rating

7.0

Company rating: 7.0 out of 10

Based on 181 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

40th of 50 rated states


Job description

Seasonal Natural Resources Worker - Starve Hollow SRA

Date Posted: May 29, 2026

Requisition ID: 471137

Location:

Vallonia, IN, US, 47281

Work for Indiana

Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

About Starve Hollow State Recreation Area:

The Starve-Hollow State Recreation Area is a 280-acre section of the Jackson-Washington State Forest that includes a 145-acre lake. Bald Eagles is seen here regularly. Activities include boating, cabins, camping, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, swimming and more. Starve Hollow also has playgrounds and shelters that can be reserved to private events.

Salary Statement:

The hourly wage for seasonal positions varies, starting at $12.25/hour.

A Day in the Life:

The Seasonal Natural Resources Workers provide customer service and education to visitors about park features while maintaining the properties natural resources. Seasonal Natural Resources Worker positions and their essential functions are as follows:

  • Interpretive Specialists: Educate the public on property-specific nature, history, culture, and park services through memorable experiences.
  • Naturalists Aides: Assists with education of the nature center programming, local/common flora and fauna, and local/common animal species. This position may also assist in the care of animals (feeding, watering, and bedding changes) and the general maintenance of the nature center.
  • Village Workers (Spring Mill State Park Only): Assists with education of period appropriate trades, techniques and crafts while presenting cultural history. Trades include woodworking, leatherwork, broom making, blacksmith, weaving, and milling.
  • Cave Tour Guides (O'Bannon Woods State Park Only): Educate the general public on the natural history of caves. Tour Guides assist with scheduling reservations and collecting tour fees. Further, research may be required on the identification and care of relevant flora and fauna. Tour Guides are expected to maintain boats, equipment, and the registration shed.
  • Resource Management Techs: Assists with the control of invasive plant species natural area restoration trail maintenance, brush and tree removal, signage, timber marking and/or timber stand improvement based on the property.

The job profile is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

What You'll Need for Success:

You must meet the following requirements to be considered for employment:

  • High school diploma, GED, or one (1) year of work experience
  • May be expected to work afternoons, evenings, weekends, and holidays
  • May be required to wear a DNR-provided uniform
  • May be required to travel to different properties
  • May experience working in potentially inclement weather
  • May experience working with DOC work release crews
  • May be required to have a valid driver's license.
  • May perform duties in a variety of different environments, including an office environment, field environment, rugged terrain, and various adverse weather conditions (extreme heat, cold, rain, snow, sleet, etc.).
  • May work around potentially dangerous heavy equipment (e.g. tractors, disks, mowers, planters, etc.).
  • Able to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:

This seasonal position does not offer benefits and is limited to 180 working days in an eleven (11) month continuous period

Equal Employment Opportunity:

The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at jobs@spd.IN.gov.

Current Employee? Click here (https://performancemanager8.successfactors.com/sf/careers/jobsearch?bplte_company=indianaoff) to apply.


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