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Temporary Backpacking Guide Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Temporary Backpacking Guide information

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$7

$17

$29

How much do temporary backpacking guide jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for temporary backpacking guide in the United States is $17.27, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.98 and $21.15 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Temporary Backpacking Guide vs Tour Guide?

AspectTemporary Backpacking GuideTour Guide
CredentialsBasic outdoor or first aid certifications often preferredSimilar certifications, sometimes specialized in specific tours
Work EnvironmentOutdoor, remote, adventure settingsIndoor and outdoor, cultural or historical sites
Employer & IndustryAdventure travel companies, outdoor tour operatorsTravel agencies, sightseeing companies

Both roles involve guiding groups, but Temporary Backpacking Guides focus on outdoor adventure and wilderness settings, often requiring outdoor certifications. Tour Guides typically operate in cultural or historical sites, with similar certification needs. The main difference lies in the environment and type of tours offered, with Backpacking Guides emphasizing outdoor adventure and Tour Guides focusing on cultural experiences.

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

To thrive as a Temporary Backpacking Guide, you need strong outdoor skills, first aid certification, and experience leading group hikes or expeditions. Familiarity with GPS navigation tools, wilderness survival equipment, and Leave No Trace principles is typically required. Exceptional communication, leadership, and problem-solving abilities help build trust and ensure group safety in unpredictable environments. These skills are vital to provide a safe, enjoyable, and educational experience for participants in remote settings.

What are some common challenges Temporary Backpacking Guides face during multi-day trips?

Temporary Backpacking Guides often encounter challenges such as adapting to rapidly changing weather, managing group dynamics among diverse participants, and ensuring everyone's safety on unpredictable terrain. They must be prepared to handle emergencies, maintain morale, and make quick decisions regarding route changes or health concerns. Strong communication skills and flexibility are essential, as guides frequently collaborate with co-guides and need to adjust plans on the fly to provide a positive experience for all participants.

What are Temporary Backpacking Guides?

Temporary Backpacking Guides are outdoor professionals hired on a short-term or seasonal basis to lead individuals or groups on backpacking trips. They are responsible for planning routes, ensuring safety, teaching wilderness skills, and providing information about the local environment. These guides often work for tour companies, camps, or outdoor education programs and may work in various locations depending on demand and season. Their main goal is to create a safe, enjoyable, and educational experience for all participants.
More about Temporary Backpacking Guide jobs
What cities are hiring for Temporary Backpacking Guide jobs? Cities with the most Temporary Backpacking Guide job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Backpacking Guide jobs? The most popular types of Backpacking Guide jobs are:
What states have the most Temporary Backpacking Guide jobs? States with the most job openings for Temporary Backpacking Guide jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Temporary Backpacking Guide jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Temporary Backpacking Guide jobs are:
Temporary Backpacking Guide jobs near you
Infographic showing various Temporary Backpacking Guide job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, 34% Part Time, and 16% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $35,919 per year, or $17.3 per hour.
Assistant Mountain Guide

Assistant Mountain Guide

Fresno Pacific University

Fresno, CA • On-site

$17 - $20.50/hr

Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 26 days ago

Job description

Location : 1717 S Chestnut Ave, Fresno, CA
Job Type: Staff Temporary Part-Time
Job Number: 2026-00652
Department: School of Arts and Sciences
Opening Date: 04/16/2026
Position Summary
Department: School of Arts and Sciences
Reports To: Wilderness Studies, Programs Coordinator
Status: Non-Exempt
The Assistant Mountain Guide is a temporary part-time position with the Wilderness Studies Program at Fresno Pacific University. This role is passionate about introducing beginners to Sierra backpacking, shows experience or promise that they can safely assist in leading guided hikes and overnight backpacking trips into various parts of the Sierra Nevada. The Assistant Mountain Guide will work under the broad supervision of the FPU Wilderness Program Coordinator and/or assigned General Operations Staff member. On trail, Assistant Mountain Guide reports to their assigned lead guide, and will work collaboratively with their lead guide, faculty, and students during programs.
Essential Functions
  • Provide strong outdoor leadership for hiking groups of students, professors, and fellow guides
  • Support and provide appropriate collaborative insight to all wilderness-related decisions made by assigned Lead Mountain Guide(s).
  • Actively build team dynamics and encourage healthy and safe decisions among guide team and participants during hikes.
  • Respond to emergency situations, major or minor injury, and concerns in a thoughtful and safe manner.
  • Demonstrate a commitment to serving and inspiring students and colleagues in a context of a Christian University, integrating your Christian faith into your role and responsibilities.
  • Embrace the , and values of Fresno Pacific University, affirm the , and support the ideals and practices articulated in ""
  • Uphold and advance Fresno Pacific University's commitment to Christ-centered higher education, holistic student development, and serving diverse communities.
  • Complete tasks timely with work that is comprehensive, complete, and accurate
  • Communicates clearly, listens attentively, and seeks to understand others
  • Collaborates productively with colleagues of varying skillset
  • Other job duties as assigned

Qualifications
Required:
  • Significant hiking/ overnight backpacking experience.
  • Basic CPR/ First Aid Certification, WFR, or WAFA (or willingness to obtain upon hire, provided by employer).
  • Ability to perform the physical tasks required for mountain guiding, including hiking on varied terrain and carrying necessary equipment.

Preferred:
  • Experience in various leadership and group dynamic capacities while serving a diverse community.

Environmental Conditions:
  • Outdoors with possible exposure to noise, dust, temperature changes and other varying environmental conditions
  • May drive personal or University vehicles to appointments.
  • Public contact position requiring appropriate apparel, personal hygiene, and grooming.

Physical Demands:
  • Weather Conditions may affect outdoor activities which are always at the mercy of the weather and the adverse impacts that this may cause.
  • Requires up to 8 hours a day hiking, under varying weather conditions, with ability to sit and rest interspersed throughout.
  • The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Employee must be able to communicate with others to exchange information including both over the telephone and in-person communication with callers and community members.
  • Reasonable accommodations for those with disabilities will be provided in accordance with law.

University Information
$17.00 to $20.50 is the hourly compensation for this role and reflects what Fresno Pacific University reasonably expects to pay for this position. Actual compensation may vary based on the qualifications, experience, and internal equity. In addition to compensation, FPU offers a competitive benefits package.
Reserving its rights as a religious institution, Fresno Pacific University is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, age or disability, or other classes protected by applicable law. Committed to excellence and actively supportive of cultural diversity, FPU invites individuals who contribute to such diversity to apply. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you should contact FPU's Human Resources Department at hr@fresno.edu. As a religious institution, the University will administer the equal opportunity employment policy consistent with the Fresno Pacific University statement of faith, the FPU Idea and the University's governance by the Pacific District Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches.
Fresno Pacific University offers a wide range of affordable benefits that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage. As well as, a 403(b) retirement plan, life insurance, and a number of unique unviersity benefits. Please visit and you may review our current Holiday Calendar.
For any benefits questions, please email us at hr@fresno.edu.

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