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Wilderness Guide Jobs in Massachusetts (NOW HIRING)

The Wilderness Society / Outdoors.org

Director of Product

MA · On-site +1

$116K - $163K/yr

AMC is hiring a Director of Product to lead a new product function and help guide a multi-year technology roadmap across member and donor systems, lodging and booking, volunteer technology, data, and ...

All JobsWilderness Guide JobsWilderness Guide Jobs in Massachusetts

Wilderness Guide information

See Massachusetts salary details

$8

$21

$43

How much do wilderness guide jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for wilderness guide in Massachusetts is $21.52, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.95 and $21.78 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 Massachusetts?

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

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

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

Wilderness Guide jobs near you
Infographic showing various Wilderness Guide job openings in Massachusetts as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,762 per year, or $21.5 per hour.

Bold & Gold Trip Leader PP- Hi Rock

Central Connecticut Coast YMCA

Mount Washington, MA • On-site

$1.4K/day

Temporary

Re-posted 10 days ago

Job description

Description
The BOLD (Boys Outdoor Leadership Development) & GOLD (Girls Outdoor Leadership Development) Instructor leads primarily single-gender outdoor expeditions for adolescents. The role focuses on building confidence, courage, emotional intelligence, and community awareness, helping participants develop their own leadership style through multicultural experiential education in the natural world.
Essential Functions:
  • Demonstrate YMCA values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility in all interactions with colleagues, members, volunteers, vendors, and guests
  • Promote and support the potential of all youth, facilitating peer-to-peer connections as part of the camp experience
  • Teach and guide outdoor skills during 7-14 day wilderness-based backpacking, rock climbing, canoeing, or mountaineering courses
  • Ensure a physically and emotionally safe environment for all participants
  • Create values-based experiences that support adolescent development
  • Foster an inclusive and welcoming environment for youth in outdoor settings
  • Assist with various camp needs when not leading field activities
  • Understand and uphold all licensing standards, grant requirements, YMCA policies, state and local laws, and YMCA risk management guidelines
  • Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements
  • Professional instructional experience in backpacking, rock climbing, and/or mountaineering
  • Commitment to working with diverse groups of youth
  • Excellent judgment, decision-making, and risk management skills
  • Strong group facilitation, communication, and conflict resolution skills
  • Experience facilitating activities that address challenges faced by adolescent girls and/or boys
  • Ability to translate wilderness experiences into meaningful lessons for the everyday lives of underserved youth

Apply