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Seasonal Tour Guide Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

This is a Seasonal/ Part-time role that can require anywhere from 20-30 hours per week. Primary ... guided access for visiting IT service or support providers * Provide onsite assistance to tour ...

Seasonal Tour Guide information

See Virginia salary details

$8

$18

$33

How much do seasonal tour guide jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for seasonal tour guide in Virginia is $18.65, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.28 and $20.96 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a seasonal tour guide?

Seasonal tour guides are professionals who lead groups of visitors on tours during peak travel seasons, such as summer or holidays. They share information about the location’s history, culture, and attractions, ensuring guests have an enjoyable and educational experience. These guides often work in destinations that experience high tourist traffic at certain times of the year. Their responsibilities can include planning routes, answering questions, and ensuring the safety and satisfaction of tour participants.

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

To thrive as a Seasonal Tour Guide, you need strong knowledge of local history, geography, and attractions, often supported by fluency in multiple languages and relevant training or certifications. Familiarity with booking systems, audio equipment, and navigation tools is commonly required. Exceptional communication, storytelling, and crowd-management skills help create memorable experiences and handle diverse groups. These skills are crucial for ensuring guest satisfaction, safety, and positive reviews, which drive success in this customer-facing role.

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

Seasonal Tour Guides often encounter challenges such as managing large groups, adapting tours to varying weather conditions, and responding to diverse visitor questions. Staying organized, maintaining a flexible approach, and having thorough knowledge of the tour content help address these issues. Effective communication and a positive attitude are key to ensuring an enjoyable experience for both guests and guides, even during peak seasons or unexpected changes.

What is the difference between Seasonal Tour Guide vs Full-Time Tour Guide?

AspectSeasonal Tour GuideFull-Time Tour Guide
CredentialsMay require basic tour guiding certification or trainingOften requires similar certifications, sometimes with additional experience
Work EnvironmentPrimarily seasonal, outdoor or tourist locationsYear-round, consistent work in tourism settings
Employer & Industry UsageEmployers hire seasonally for peak timesEmployers hire for ongoing, full-year roles
Search & Comparison IntentCommonly compared for seasonal vs permanent rolesOften contrasted with seasonal roles for stability

In summary, Seasonal Tour Guides work during peak tourist seasons, often in outdoor or tourist-heavy locations, with certifications typically focused on guiding skills. Full-Time Tour Guides work year-round, with similar credentials but more consistent employment. The main difference lies in the duration and stability of employment, with seasonal guides focusing on peak periods and full-time guides providing continuous service.

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 are popular job titles related to Seasonal Tour Guide jobs in Virginia?

For Seasonal Tour Guide jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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

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

Infographic showing various Seasonal Tour Guide job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 24% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $38,789 per year, or $18.6 per hour.

Tour Guide/Course Leader

Vienna, VA • On-site


WorldStrides
Education Programs Administration • 501 - 1,000 employees

5.5

Company rating: 5.5 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

154th of 224 rated education and training

People enjoy working here

Respectful managers


Full-time

Re-posted 13 days ago


Job description

Company Introduction
WorldStrides is the global leader in educational travel and experiential learning. The company was founded in 1967 to provide middle school travel programs to Washington, D.C. and has grown to provide a wide range of programs for more than half a million students annually to over 100 countries around the world. WorldStrides offers experiential learning programs in educational travel, performing arts, language immersion, career exploration, service-learning, study abroad, and sports. Each of these experiences helps students to see beyond the classroom and to see the world - and themselves - in new ways.
Job Description:
At WorldStrides, the experience is everything. By joining our team you help provide moments that delight and open up the world of learning. Our team is truly passionate about making each experience a once in a lifetime opportunity for each traveler that is easy to manage from A to Z. Each journey is different, which is why we offer a broad range of experiential learning programs for groups and individuals of all ages throughout their lifelong learning journey.
Our business is season-specific. We hire only people who are available March through June or some significant portion of that time. Our programs are fast-paced and require several miles of walking each day in all types of weather while talking and managing groups of up to 55 people. We are an accredited travel school and the majority of our travelers are 8th-graders. Our Course Leaders must be able to engage students in interactive learning. As a school, we require an FBI background check and TB test as a condition of employment. Our Course Leaders can be placed all over the United States to include New York, Boston, Chicago, California, Washington D.C., Florida, and more.
Responsibilities:
  • Educationally and Performance focused trips
  • Ideal for people who love to teach, but do not want to be constrained by a classroom
  • Support offered through WorldStrides On-Call with 24-hour emergency number for assistance
  • Coordination and security assistance provided at each hotel
  • Innovative professional development, training methods and materials
  • Detailed and customized itinerary provided for each group
  • Company has over 50 years of experience in planning programs that work
  • Competitive compensation packages with a discretionary bonus award system

Qualifications:
  • College and/or advanced degree preferred
  • Possession of current Tour Guide License in cities where a license is required
  • Background in Education, Travel, Performance, U.S. History, Social Studies or Science
  • Historical and logistical knowledge of assigned region
  • Prefer applicants live within the region where they will work
  • Availability/flexibility of schedule during spring and summer
  • Ability to adapt to unexpected changes to provide the best experience possible
  • Attendance at annual education seminars and participation in ride-along orientation trips
  • Highly skilled at multi-tasking and problem solving in a fast-paced environment
  • Excellent communication skills; specifically, engaging groups and relaying information in a clear and interesting manner
  • Experience with and passion for working with students
  • Fun, energetic, and customer service-oriented
  • Physically capable of walking several miles a day; ability to move quickly and remain on feet most of the day

WorldStrides, a global organization, is committed to educate and serve communities worldwide. Our commitment is fueled by the passion of our team members and partners to make experiential learning accessible, while also being socially, environmentally, and ethically responsible. Together, we accomplish this by investing in initiatives to promote inclusion, diversity, and sustainability.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, WorldStrides is committed to building a diverse workforce, supported by an environment that promotes inclusion and belonging. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
WorldStrides will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States. This is not a position for which sponsorship will be provided. Individuals with temporary visas such as E, F-1, J-1, H-1, H-2, L, B, J or TN, or who need sponsorship for work authorization now or in the future, are not eligible for hire. Select seasonal roles may consider students on J-1 or F-1 visas.


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