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River Guide Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Fair Oaks Farms

Cheese Guide

Fair Oaks, IN

$17/hr

The Cheese Guide Rate of Pay: $17.00 plus tips and incentive bonus Position Summary: The Cheese Guide is a sales-driven, guest-facing role at the heart of the Fair Oaks Farms cheese experience. This ...

BATHHOUSE

Guide

New York, NY · On-site

$20 - $22/hr

Bathhouse is seeking a friendly and attentive Guide to be the welcoming face of our guest experience. In this role, you'll help guests check in, answer questions, and ensure everyone feels ...

Eleven Experience

Summer Guide

Crested Butte, CO · On-site

$15.25 - $17.50/hr

River guide license. * In-house gunnison river check off including paddle guide and oar rig. * Mountain Bike Guides: * In-house trail familiarization check off. * In-house ability check off. * In ...

CLIMB HQ LLC

Indoor Guide

Nashville, TN · On-site

$13 - $15/hr

Develop knowledge of offerings and connect the customer with the appropriate product to guide them through their journey * Monitor activities of participants to correct unsafe behavior and provide ...

CLIMB KRAFT LLC

Indoor Guide

Nashville, TN · On-site

$13.25 - $15.25/hr

Develop knowledge of offerings and connect the customer with the appropriate product to guide them through their journey * Monitor activities of participants to correct unsafe behavior and provide ...

The Climb Gyms

Indoor Guide

Bentonville, AR · On-site

$11.75 - $13.50/hr

Develop knowledge of offerings and connect the customer with the appropriate product to guide them through their journey * Monitor activities of participants to correct unsafe behavior and provide ...

Camelback Resort

Rescue Guide

Tannersville, PA · On-site

$12.50 - $14.25/hr

Rescue Guide Department: Camelback Mountain Adventures Reports to: Mountain Aventures Manager The Rescue Guides ensure the safety, training, and support of guests on the Treetop Adventure Course ...

Camelback Resort

Rescue Guide

Tannersville, PA

$12.50 - $14.25/hr

Rescue Guide Department: Camelback Mountain Adventures Reports to: Mountain Aventures Manager The Rescue Guides ensure the safety, training, and support of guests on the Treetop Adventure Course ...

CLIMB HQ LLC

Indoor Guide

Murfreesboro, TN

$12.75 - $14.50/hr

Develop knowledge of offerings and connect the customer with the appropriate product to guide them through their journey * Monitor activities of participants to correct unsafe behavior and provide ...

CLIMB HQ LLC

Indoor Guide

Bentonville, AR

$11.75 - $13.50/hr

Develop knowledge of offerings and connect the customer with the appropriate product to guide them through their journey * Monitor activities of participants to correct unsafe behavior and provide ...

Massanutten

Climbing & Rappelling Guide

VA · On-site

$12.75 - $14.75/hr

Responsibilities include guiding individuals and groups across exposed ridgelines and vertical drops and ensuring guest safety while fostering confidence, excitement, and environmental appreciation.

Montage Hotels & Resorts

Outdoor Pursuits Guide

Big Sky, MT · On-site

$15.25 - $17.50/hr

Activities Guide SUMMARY The Activities Guide provides a consistently high degree of both friendliness and professionalism while creating both revenue generating and guest enhancement activities This ...

Montage International

Outdoor Pursuits Guide

Big Sky, MT · On-site

$15.25 - $17.50/hr

Activities Guide SUMMARY The Activities Guide provides a consistently high degree of both friendliness and professionalism while creating both revenue generating and guest enhancement activities This ...

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River Guide information

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$9

$16

$22

How much do river guide jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for river guide in the United States is $16.16, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.22 and $15.14 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is being a raft guide worth it?

Being a raft guide can be a rewarding outdoor job that involves leading groups on river trips, often requiring certifications in water safety and strong communication skills. The job typically offers seasonal work, variable pay, and the opportunity to work in scenic environments, but it can also involve physically demanding conditions and irregular hours.

What jobs pay 2000 a day?

High-paying jobs that can reach $2,000 a day often include specialized roles such as experienced river guides working in premium adventure tourism, professional consultants, certain medical specialists, and high-level corporate executives. These positions typically require advanced skills, certifications, or extensive experience, and may involve irregular or demanding schedules. Earning this level of daily pay is uncommon and usually associated with high-risk, high-skill, or freelance work in niche markets.

What is the difference between River Guide vs Kayak Instructor?

AspectRiver GuideKayak Instructor
CertificationsWilderness First Aid, CPR, River Guide CertificationCPR, First Aid, Kayak Instructor Certification
Work EnvironmentRivers, outdoor water settings, group toursIndoor/outdoor pools, lakes, rivers, teaching sessions
Employer & IndustryOutdoor adventure companies, tour operatorsRecreation centers, outdoor schools, adventure companies

River Guides and Kayak Instructors both require water safety certifications and work in outdoor water environments. However, River Guides typically lead group trips on rivers, focusing on navigation and safety, while Kayak Instructors teach kayaking skills in pools or lakes. Both roles are essential in the outdoor recreation industry but differ mainly in their work setting and primary responsibilities.

How much money do river guides make?

River guides typically earn between $200 and $400 per day during the peak season, with annual salaries ranging from $20,000 to $40,000 depending on experience, location, and the number of trips they lead. Many guides also receive tips from clients, which can significantly increase their total income. Certifications in first aid and swiftwater rescue can enhance earning potential.

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

To thrive as a River Guide, you need strong knowledge of river navigation, safety procedures, and first aid, often supported by certifications such as Wilderness First Responder or Swiftwater Rescue. Familiarity with rafting equipment, GPS devices, and communication systems is typically required. Excellent leadership, communication, and customer service skills help build trust and enhance the guest experience. These abilities are crucial for ensuring both the safety and enjoyment of clients in dynamic and potentially hazardous river environments.

What Does a River Guide Do?

As a river guide, you assist people on rafting trips down rivers and rapids. During each trip or tour, you must maneuver the craft on water safely. River guides frequently work with inexperienced passengers, so the ability to manage their behavior and keep the entire group safe is essential in this role. Most river guides work with tour companies and provide several trips each day. Other duties include loading and preparing rafts and handling reservations. Fulfilling the responsibilities of this job requires attention to detail as well as strong interpersonal, leadership, and wilderness skills.

What are river guides?

River guides are professionals who lead and assist individuals or groups on river trips, such as rafting, kayaking, or canoeing excursions. They are responsible for the safety, instruction, and overall experience of the participants while navigating rivers, often in remote or challenging conditions. River guides possess knowledge of river routes, safety procedures, and rescue techniques, and they typically provide insights about the natural environment and local history. Their job also includes preparing equipment, giving safety briefings, and sometimes cooking or setting up camp during multi-day trips.

How to become a river guide?

To become a river guide, you typically need to complete a water safety certification such as CPR and first aid, gain experience in paddling and rescue techniques, and obtain relevant certifications like a swiftwater rescue certification. Many guides start as apprentices or assistants to build skills before leading trips independently.

What are some of the most common challenges River Guides face during a typical trip?

River Guides often encounter challenges such as rapidly changing weather conditions, fluctuating river levels, and ensuring the safety of guests with varying experience levels. Effective communication and strong leadership are crucial, especially when navigating technical rapids or responding to unexpected situations. Guides must also balance providing an enjoyable experience with managing the logistical aspects of trips, such as meal preparation and equipment maintenance.
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River Guide jobs near you
Infographic showing various River Guide job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 4% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $33,609 per year, or $16.2 per hour.

Hike and Float Rafting Guide

Alaska Mountain Guides

Skagway, AK • On-site

Full-time

Posted 14 days ago

Job description

Salary: $15.75/hr + tips

SKAGWAY CHILKAT GUIDES RAFTING GUIDE JOB DESCRIPTION

TIMEFRAME: April - October

QUALIFICATIONS: Wilderness First Responder, CPR Certifications, Swift Water Rescue (We can assist in obtaining all certifications)

As a Hike & Float Guide in Skagway, your main responsibility is to carry out the companys mission of providing clients with a safe, enjoyable, and educational wilderness experience. You will lead clients up the Chilkoot Trail and down the Taiya River safely and enthusiastically with an ultimate goal of satisfied passengers at the end of each trip.


Description of Guided Programs: Chilkoot Trail Hike & Float & Scenic Drive Excursions

Chilkoot Trail Hike & Float: Hike two miles of the historic Chilkoot Trail, the centerpiece of the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. Enjoy the exercise, fresh air, beautiful scenery, pristine forests, and history of a bygone era as the trail takes you up and over the 350' tall Saintly Hill. Where the trail reaches the banks of the Taiya River, you will board an 18-foot inflatable raft for a three-mile scenic float (no whitewater) back down to the tidal estuary where the forest gives way to fields of beach greens and wildflowers below the granite walls of the fjord that rise steeply to the snow-capped peaks and hanging glaciers.

Additionally, all Hike & Float guides will train into the Gear Guide position. This is thebehind-the-scenes role that ensures all rafts and gear are set up properly for guests when their hike ends. The gear position requires driving a box truck with a trailer attached.

REQUIREMENTS

  • Prior guiding, leadership, or tourism experience is helpful.
  • Must be able to lift up to 80 pounds repeatedly throughout each day.
  • Must be able to carry loads over uneven ground.
  • Must possess strong work ethic.
  • Must be punctual.
  • Must be organized.
  • Must have great, positive attitude.
  • Must be comfortable speaking to large groups of people.
  • Must be willing to become, or be currently certified as, a Wilderness First Responder, CPR, andSwift Water Rescue. WFR or above is required for this guiding position. The company provides all these courses in Skagway/Haines upon arrival.
  • Must have a valid REAL ID driver's license.


      UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS

      • Employees must bring pants that follow uniform colors (navy blue, blacks, greys, dark greens, & brown)
      • Employees should bring a water-resistant jacket (water-proof recommended) in black or navy blue.


      JOB DUTIES

      • Responsible for safety and satisfaction of up to ten guests at a time while guiding alone.
      • Ability to follow a strict daily schedule.
      • Responsible for cleanliness and maintenance of gear, trail, put-ins, and take-outs.
      • Responsible for preventative measures to avoid injury from over-use of your muscles.
      • Responsible for communicating all gear and vehicle issues to manager.
      • Responsible for entering all hours on a daily basis into our online time clock system.
      • Must be a good communicator with the willingness to teach and entertain your clients.
      • Must possess the desire to continually improve your knowledge on the area and skills on the river.
      • Must at all times be clean, well groomed, courteous, honest, and reliable.
      • Must possess a positive attitude that is friendly, considerate, strong, and energetic.
      • Hike & Float Guides report to the Skagway Hike & Float Manager and Skagway Operations Manager.

      Mid-Season Operations

      Early to mid-June through late-August is the height of the cruise line season. In this period, staff will be required to work 40+ hours a week. During the height of the season, long periods of time off will likely not be approved. This is the heart of the season so flexibility, dedication, and a commitment to being a strong team member are required from the staff to meet the demand of our cruise line clients and other long trip programs.


      PROFESSIONALISM

      All employees represent the company whether they are at the docks, on tour, or off the clock exploring the town. AMG expects employees to always conduct themselves in a professional manner and provide a leading example in the community for the type of behavior associated with the quality guide service that employs them. We live and work in a small Alaskan community, so poor/inappropriate behavior will quickly establish a bad reputation for an individual and reflect poorly on the company.

      LIVING AND RENT STRUCTURE

      Employee housing is located in downtown Skagway. The grocery store and other local attractions are within walking distance. Accommodations consist of shared rooms typically 2-4 beds per room, although the largest room is a 6-occupant bunkroom. Each house features shared bathrooms, a kitchen area, and living room. Employees residing in housing are expected to respect others and maintain a clean and respectable living area. Rent procedures are clearly outlined in the Employee Manual. The two downtown houses share a large yard with mountain views, providing a fantastic base for our team.Each house has a specific house manager who will be responsible for the weekly chore schedule and chore completion checkoffs. House managers will call attention to any issues within the housing unit and employees are encouraged to let their house manager know if they experience any issues.

      Additional Notes

      • Rent deductions are made twice a month with 50% of the months rent deducted from the 1st and 2nd paycheck.
      • Rent is prorated for the first month, rent for the last pay period will be deducted in full even if you vacate housing early.
      • Employees must vacate housing within 48hours of their final shift unless other arrangements have been approved by management.
      • Pets No pets are allowed within any of the company housing.
      • Failure to abide by rules outlined in the employee manual and housing agreement may result in immediate expulsion from employee housing.


      ADDITIONAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

      Employees may be called on to participate in other Skagway or Haines programs at any time. This may include but is not limited to; hiking tours,vehicle maintenance, gear maintenance, general driving duties, assisting on the docks with other tour operations, and overall operational support.

      The ability to be flexible with schedules and adapt to changes, sometimes with short notice, is a requirement and expectation of your employment.