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Wilderness Guide Jobs in Alaska (NOW HIRING)

Passages Alaska

Wilderness Therapy Guide

Klawock, AK

$215.50/day

Passages Alaska Field Guide This position requires a drive for adventure, the ability to manage the ... Previous wilderness therapy experience. * Must be able to pass a background check, and random UA'

Passages Alaska

Wilderness Therapy Guide

Klawock, AK · On-site

$215.50/day

Passages Alaska Field Guide This position requires a drive for adventure, the ability to manage the ... Previous wilderness therapy experience. * Must be able to pass a background check, and random UA'

Stampede Excursions

$11.50/hr

... guides. In addition, the company offers other adventures including those by air and operates a ... The area is a mountainous and rugged wilderness, with the highest point on the continent a mere 80 ...

Stampede Excursions

$16.25 - $22/hr

The area is a mountainous and rugged wilderness, with the highest point on the continent a mere 80 ... Tour Guide depending on current operational demands. Main Purpose of Role: Guest Service ...

Alaska Mountain Guides

Administrative Assistant

Skagway, AK · On-site

$19.50 - $26.50/hr

... wilderness experience. The Skagway admin team facilitates the operation of our day programs via ... Guide scheduling * Radio dispatch * General office phone reception * Dock representation

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Wilderness Guide information

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How much do wilderness guide jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for wilderness guide in Alaska is $21.22, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.76 and $21.49 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a wilderness guide?

Wilderness Guides are professionals trained to lead individuals or groups safely through natural, undeveloped areas such as forests, mountains, or national parks. They are responsible for planning routes, providing information about local ecology and wildlife, ensuring safety, and sometimes teaching outdoor skills like navigation, camping, and survival techniques. Wilderness Guides help create memorable, educational, and safe outdoor experiences for participants, ranging from day hikes to multi-day expeditions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a wilderness guide?

To thrive as a Wilderness Guide, you need strong outdoor survival skills, first aid certification, and knowledge of local geography and ecosystems. Familiarity with navigation tools (like GPS, maps, and compasses), wilderness medicine certifications (such as Wilderness First Responder), and outdoor gear are typically required. Outstanding communication, leadership, and decision-making skills help guide groups safely and create memorable experiences. These abilities are crucial for ensuring safety, managing risks, and providing an informative and enjoyable adventure for clients.

What are some common challenges faced by wilderness guides during multi-day expeditions, and how are they typically managed?

Wilderness Guides often encounter challenges such as unpredictable weather, navigation through difficult terrain, and managing group dynamics over extended periods. To handle these, guides rely on thorough pre-trip planning, constant monitoring of weather updates, and strong communication skills to ensure group safety and morale. They are trained in first aid and emergency procedures, allowing them to address any medical or safety issues promptly. Adaptability and proactive problem-solving are key to ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants.

What is the difference between Wilderness Guide vs Outdoor Educator?

AspectWilderness GuideOutdoor Educator
CertificationsWilderness First Aid, CPR, outdoor skills certificationsWilderness First Aid, CPR, teaching credentials
Work EnvironmentRemote wilderness areas, guiding outdoor activitiesSchools, camps, outdoor programs
Industry UsageTourism, adventure companies, outdoor recreationEducational institutions, youth programs

Wilderness Guides and Outdoor Educators both work outdoors and often hold similar certifications like Wilderness First Aid. However, Wilderness Guides primarily lead adventure activities in remote areas, focusing on guiding clients safely through wilderness experiences. Outdoor Educators typically work in structured settings like schools or camps, emphasizing teaching outdoor skills and environmental education. While their roles overlap in outdoor environments, their main focus and work settings differ.

What are popular job titles related to Wilderness Guide jobs in Alaska?

For Wilderness Guide jobs in Alaska, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Wilderness Guide jobs in Alaska look for?

The top searched job categories for Wilderness Guide jobs in Alaska are:

Wilderness Guide jobs near you
Infographic showing various Wilderness Guide job openings in Alaska as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,140 per year, or $21.2 per hour.

Wilderness Therapy Guide

Passages Alaska

Klawock, AK

$215.50/day

Full-time

Re-posted 5 days ago

Job description

Passages Alaska Field Guide



This position requires a drive for adventure, the ability to manage the unexpected, and the desire to be a healthy influence in the lives of others. It requires the ability to hold safe space in a wild place for a person that is struggling and may feel very out of their element. Working as a field guide in Southeast Alaska is the opportunity to experience a part of the Last Frontier from the seat of a canoe. You will encounter humpback whales, orcas, sea otters, black bears, bald eagles, salmon, halibut along with many others and come face to face with yourself. The guide position requires the confidence to manage a challenging situation with the humility to accept that there might be another way. Guides work as part of a team with other guides and clinical staff.

Fishing experience is a plus. You will not be functioning as a fishing guide, but fishing is an integral part of our program. Good outdoor skills, including next level fire and shelter building are a necessity. Experience working with emotionally struggling young adults and adolescents is a plus but not required if similar experience suggests that a person might be a good fit.


Duties:

  • Guides have the primary responsibility to facilitate a physically safe, and appropriately challenging experience for Passages Alaska participants.
  • Guides model appropriate behavior.
  • They teach support, encourage, and invite inquiry; inspiring students in a safe and validating manner.
  • Guides exhibit and teach outdoor skill while living and traveling in the near coastal waters of Southeast Alaska via primitive means.
  • Guides teach concepts and facilitate learning from an established, mindfulness-based student curriculum and from the natural world as teaching moments arise.
  • Guides may lead group meditation, teach yoga, prepare a meal, de-escalate an emotional student and manage a black bear encounter all in the same day.
  • Guides are responsible for documenting their work.
  • Guides are asked to be flexible and willing to help out in areas outside of specifically delineated duties.


There is nothing boring or ordinary about work in this setting. It is challenging and awe inspiring. You will come away with a changed perspective about the world and likely about yourself.

It's important to recognize that all staff members are growing and experiencing change along-side of the students we serve. Healthy boundaries are a must but parallel growth is a valuable benefit of this work.


Requirements:

  • Must be at least 21 years old
  • Previous wilderness therapy experience.
  • Must be able to pass a background check, and random UA's
  • Must be physically and emotionally capable of spending extended time outdoors, away from cell service and Wi-Fi connectivity.
  • Canoe and salt water experience is a plus.
  • All staff must be comfortable living a congruent life with the values that we teach our students, to include living a clean and sober lifestyle and conducting themselves in a manner that reflects positively on themselves and our organization both on and off duty. We live and work in a very small community so our organization members are visible during their off time. We value our positive public image.


We offer:

  • Pay is dependent on experience, but Alaska labor regulations dictate that our pay is above the industry standard and starts at $215.50 per day for in field days. Step increases are available with experience and professional development.
  • We like to hire other positions from within our own organization so there is opportunity to move into other areas of responsibility
  • Ongoing clinical and professional training
  • Meals are included while guides are in the field.
  • Two weeks paid training/ hiring seminar
  • The opportunity to experience, in depth, a world class eco touring and sporting destination
  • Typically 2 weeks on 1-2 weeks off allow plenty of time for travel and personal exploration
  • A supportive and validating organization that values and works to incorporate the individual skills and talents of its members


Check us out at www.passagesalaska.com

Apply