ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

River Guide Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Go Ape USA

Outdoor Adventure Guide

Indianapolis, IN

$13 - $14.50/hr

As a Go Ape Outdoor Adventure Guide, you will be primarily responsible for instructing participants how to navigate our treetop adventure courses as well as other ground-based outdoor recreation ...

Go Ape USA

Outdoor Adventure Guide

Williamsburg, VA · On-site

$14 - $16/hr

As a Go Ape Outdoor Adventure Guide, you will be primarily responsible for instructing participants how to navigate our treetop adventure courses as well as other ground-based outdoor recreation ...

LifeGuides

Life Guide (Remote)

$20/hr

OUR PROMISE TO YOU At LifeGuides, we believe it's our responsibility to provide our Guides with the same level of compassion and care that we provide to our clients and their employees. First and ...

Go Ape USA

Outdoor Adventure Guide

Strongsville, OH · On-site

$13 - $15/hr

As a Go Ape Outdoor Adventure Guide, you will be primarily responsible for instructing participants how to navigate our treetop adventure courses as well as other ground-based outdoor recreation ...

Crossroads YMCA

Kidszone Guide

Hobart, IN

$10/hr

As a KidsZone Guide I you provide direct supervision and care of children in KidsZone areas. Provides a quality experience to children and parents that focuses on exceptional service and care.

Go Ape USA

Outdoor Adventure Guide

Strongsville, OH

$13 - $15/hr

As a Go Ape Outdoor Adventure Guide, you will be primarily responsible for instructing participants how to navigate our treetop adventure courses as well as other ground-based outdoor recreation ...

Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Outdoor Adventure Guide

Lenox, MA · On-site

$14.25 - $16.50/hr

The Outdoor Adventure Guide will lead guest-facing programs for leisure, corporate, and group guests of varying abilities, ensuring a safe and meaningful experience. They should have an interest in ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsRiver Guide Jobs

River Guide information

See salary details

$9

$16

$22

How much do river guide jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 6, 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.

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.

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.

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.
More about River Guide jobs
What cities are hiring for River Guide jobs? Cities with the most River Guide job openings:
Who are the top companies hiring for River Guide jobs? The top employers for River Guide jobs are:
What states have the most River Guide jobs? States with the most job openings for River Guide jobs include:
What are popular job titles related to River Guide jobs? For River Guide jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
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 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 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.
GoodWorks Guide

GoodWorks Guide

Southern Oregon Goodwill Industries

Central Point, OR • On-site

$13.75 - $15.75/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

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

Job description

GoodWorks Guide

Southern Oregon Goodwill is looking for a dynamic GoodWorks Guide who thrives in a mission-driven environment and is ready to make a real impact in their community.

As a GoodWorks Guide, you'll oversee daily store operations, drive sales, and lead a team committed to excellence. You'll play a key role in supporting our mission to enable employment by providing opportunities for personal and professional growth, while committing to sustainable practices.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Consistently demonstrates and incorporates principles of safety, loss prevention and risk management for self and others into daily activities and ensures participation in Goodwill safety programs. Attends required safety training and participated in safety drills and exercises. Ensures tools and equipment are always in good working order and uses equipment safely.
  • Consistently maintains acceptable level of productivity.
  • Requires punctual and regular attendance. Time away from work is approved and taken in accordance with established policies.
  • Performs job duties in a prompt, thorough and acceptable manner. Performs duties reflecting Goodwill's mission and ethics and in accordance with Goodwill policies, procedures, CARF standards, and accepted best business practices.
  • Works cooperatively across all levels of the organization, with persons served, external partners, and community members.

What We Offer:

  • Competitive wages
  • Medical, Dental, Vision & Life Insurance
  • Retirement plan with employer match
  • Generous vacation, sick time, and holiday pay
  • 50% employee discount
  • Tuition assistance
  • Opportunities for growth and development
  • And much more!

At Southern Oregon Goodwill, we're more than a retail storewe're a community resource. Every item sold helps fund job training and employment programs for people facing barriers to work. When you join our team, you're not just starting a jobyou're building a career with purpose. Our Mission is to enable employment by providing opportunities for personal and professional growth, while committing to sustainable practices.

Qualifications:

  • Experience that would lend itself to good customer service is highly desirable.
  • Two years relevant progressively responsible work experience in a similar field preferred.
  • Must be proficient with Internet, Excel, Outlook, and calendaring.

Medium physical demand level. Throughout the course of the workday they handle and move a large number of materials around the worksite. Operates cash register and credit card machines, handles money transactions. Provides customer service and assists customers with unloading small items from their vehicle for donations. Ability to lift and carry up to 10 pounds frequently and up to 50 pounds occasionally. Ability to push/pull and carry up to 20 pounds frequently and up to 50 pounds occasionally. Pushes heavy wheeled carts, pallet jacks, hand trucks and other material handling equipment with loads weighing up to 250 pounds occasionally. Ability to stand and walk on hard surface floor for up to 8 hours. Ability to perform repetitive tasks for up to 8 hours. Must be able to work with others in congested areas. Ability to visually inspect merchandise to ensure that quality and product safety guidelines are being met. Ability to observe merchandise presentation, floor layout, safety, and security concerns. Reaching (frequently above shoulder level), handling, fingering, feeling, talking, hearing, and seeing is a significant part of the job. Kneels, stoops and bends when retrieving or placing items. Capable of hearing and responding to warning devices on equipment, forklifts, and trucks. Ability to occasionally climb ladders. Ability to operate and use all equipment necessary to run the operation. Work is performed indoors in a heated space. Occasionally perform work in outside weather conditions.

Apply