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Professional Tour Guide Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Farmers Restaurant Group

Server - Tysons

Tysons, VA · On-site

They have extensive depth of knowledge about our scratch-made food and drink, can tour guide guests ... professional development and growth, and we are committed to your health and overall well-being ...

Founding Farmers

Server - Reston

Reston, VA · On-site

They have extensive depth of knowledge about our scratch-made food and drink, can tour guide guests ... professional development and growth, and we are committed to your health and overall well-being.

Farmers Restaurant Group

Server - Reston

Reston, VA · On-site

They have extensive depth of knowledge about our scratch-made food and drink, can tour guide guests ... professional development and growth, and we are committed to your health and overall well-being.

Farmers Restaurant Group

Server - Reston

Reston, VA · On-site

They have extensive depth of knowledge about our scratch-made food and drink, can tour guide guests ... professional development and growth, and we are committed to your health and overall well-being.

Founding Farmers

Server - Reston

Reston, VA

They have extensive depth of knowledge about our scratch-made food and drink, can tour guide guests ... professional development and growth, and we are committed to your health and overall well-being.

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsProfessional Tour Guide JobsProfessional Tour Guide Jobs in Virginia

Professional Tour Guide information

See Virginia salary details

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How much do professional tour guide jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average hourly pay for professional tour guide in Virginia is $18.92, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.04 and $22.93 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a professional tour guide?

Professional tour guides are individuals trained to lead groups or individuals on tours, providing educational and entertaining commentary about the places being visited. They possess in-depth knowledge of local history, culture, landmarks, and attractions, and tailor their presentations to the interests of their audience. Tour guides are skilled communicators, often fluent in multiple languages, and are responsible for ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants.

What does a professional tour guide do?

As a professional tour guide, you provide education, historical detail, and cultural insight to clients as you travel along a predetermined route. In this role, you may explain details about each site, answer questions, and help ensure the safety of all clients. Fulfilling the responsibilities and duties of a professional tour guide sometimes involves operating vehicles, which can include buses, planes, boats, trains, or any other form of group transportation. This job often requires speaking throughout the day and occasionally requires bilingualism. Most professional tour guides work with established tour companies or independent commercial entities like art galleries or museums. Regardless of the form each tour takes, all professional tour guide jobs require memorizing significant amounts of information about the history of the area and any salient point related to the area or subject the tour covers.

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

To thrive as a Professional Tour Guide, you need in-depth local knowledge, strong storytelling abilities, and often a relevant certification or license, depending on the region. Familiarity with booking software, audio equipment, and foreign language proficiency are commonly required technical tools and assets. Exceptional interpersonal skills, adaptability, and the ability to engage diverse groups help guides stand out. These competencies ensure memorable, safe, and informative experiences for clients, leading to customer satisfaction and repeat business.

What are some common challenges faced by professional tour guides, and how can they be managed effectively?

Professional Tour Guides often encounter challenges such as managing diverse groups, handling unexpected changes in itineraries, and addressing varied guest expectations. To manage these effectively, guides should develop strong communication and problem-solving skills, remain adaptable, and stay well-informed about their tour locations. Additionally, building rapport with guests and anticipating logistical issues can help ensure tours run smoothly, leading to positive experiences for both guests and guides.

What is the difference between Professional Tour Guide vs Tour Escort?

AspectProfessional Tour GuideTour Escort
CredentialsMay require certification or licensing, especially for specialized toursTypically no formal certification required
Work EnvironmentLeading groups, providing historical or cultural information, often outdoors or in museumsAssisting with logistics, ensuring group safety, often in transportation or event settings
Employer & IndustryTour companies, travel agencies, museumsTravel agencies, transportation companies, event organizers

While both roles involve working with groups of travelers, a Professional Tour Guide primarily provides educational and interpretive services during tours, whereas a Tour Escort focuses on logistical support and group management. Understanding these differences helps travelers choose the right service for their needs.

Can you make a career out of being a professional tour guide?

A career as a professional tour guide is possible and often involves working for tour companies, museums, or independently. Success depends on strong communication skills, local knowledge, certifications, and the ability to adapt to different audiences; income can vary based on experience, location, and the type of tours offered.

How much money can you make as a professional tour guide?

Professional tour guides typically earn between $20,000 and $50,000 annually, with earnings varying based on experience, location, and the type of tours they lead. Many guides supplement income through tips and may work part-time or seasonally, especially in tourist-heavy areas.
More about Professional Tour Guide jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Tour Guide jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Tour Guide jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Professional Tour Guide jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Professional Tour Guide job openings:

Professional Tour Guide jobs near you
Infographic showing various Professional Tour Guide job openings in Virginia as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 99% Full Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $39,351 per year, or $18.9 per hour.

Health/Wellness/Fitness Professional

StretchLab Shortpump VA

Glen Allen, VA • On-site

$22 - $24/hr

Part-time

Retirement

Re-posted 22 hours ago

Job description

Job description
StretchLab is seeking personal trainers, massage therapists, and dance/yoga/pilates instructors to join our team. This is an amazing opportunity to gain experience in a new modality that is taking the fitness industry by storm.
Founded in 2015 in Venice, California, StretchLab is the industry leader in offering one-on-one assisted stretching. With Co-Founders coming from the Personal Training industry, Stretch Lab has created a variety of offerings to empower clients to ‘Live Long’. StretchLab has gathered a team of experts already certified in an array of related fields – physical therapy, chiropractic medicine, yoga, Pilates, and more – and brought in the world’s leading authority on stretching and flexibility to deliver on the promise of having the finest team of stretching professionals gathered anywhere.
StretchLab’s proprietary Flexologist ™ training ensures that their clients receive a world-class stretching session.

Position: Our Flexologists will provide one-on-one assisted stretches as well as lead guided group stretching classes for our clients.
Responsibilities:

Deliver one-on-one assisted stretch sessions as well as group stretch classes for up to 6 clients
Encourage and motivate clients throughout stretch sessions, empathy being a key skill
Build StretchLab membership and retain current clientele through sales and outreach to leads
Managing client care by delivering a best-in-class stretching experience, updating client notes consistently, and booking client's weekly recurring appointments
Ensure the safety of clients in regards to proper stretch techniques and enforce StretchLab policies and safety rules
Attend staff meetings and required educational presentations
Handle member concerns when applicable
Assist Sales Associates and General Manager with studio tour and sales as needed
Maintain strong social media presence to client membership and retention
Clean and maintain all equipment in order to ensure it is available for client use at any given time
Requirements:

Love of boutique fitness environment is a must – passion for stretching, mobility, and flexibility
Previous experience as a Massage Therapist, Personal Trainer, Physical Therapist, or Pilates or Yoga Instructor
Experience working in a fitness/health environment where you providing hands-on training with a client
Fitness certification required
Ability to create a positive environment that welcomes all people
Fantastic communication skills and exudes empathy
Must love connecting with people and have a passion for helping them achieve goals
Must have a professional work ethic, be reliable and adhere to our attendance policies
Must be available to go through our 2 day Flexologist Training Program™, which includes 20 hours of online tutorials and 2 days of in-person/hands-on training

Job Types: Part-time, Contract
Salary: $22.00 - $24.00 per hour
Benefits:
  • 401(k)
  • Flexible schedule
Schedule:
  • Choose your own hours
  • Day shift
  • Evening shift
  • Weekend availability
Ability to commute/relocate:
  • Glen Allen, VA 23060: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)
Application Question(s):
  • Are you available to work during days / evenings weekdays and/or weekends?
License/Certification:
  • certifications (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
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