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How much do wilderness guide jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for wilderness guide in the United States is $19.71, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.70 and $19.95 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.

More about Wilderness Guide jobs
What cities are hiring for Wilderness Guide jobs? Cities with the most Wilderness Guide job openings:
What states have the most Wilderness Guide jobs? States with the most job openings for Wilderness Guide jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Wilderness Guide jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Wilderness Guide jobs are:
Wilderness Guide jobs near you
Infographic showing various Wilderness Guide job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,987 per year, or $19.7 per hour.

Rock Climbing, Zip Line, & Excursion Guide

Alaska Mountain Guides

Skagway, AK • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 11 days ago

Job description

Salary: $15-$18 + tips

SKAGWAY ROCK CLIMBING AND ZIP LINE GUIDE JOB DESCRIPTION


TIMEFRAME: April October


As a Rock Climbing/Zipline/Hiking guide, your main responsibility is to carry out the companys mission of providing clients with a safe, enjoyable, and educational wilderness experience. You will lead clients on their respective tours at the rock climbing and zip line site safely and enthusiastically with an ultimate goal of satisfied passengers at the end of each trip.

For over 30 years, Alaska Mountain Guides and our affiliates have been a premier guiding service in Southeast Alaska and around the world! Our Skagway based programming offers a variety of outdoor adventures geared primarily towards guests visiting via cruise ships.

REQUIREMENTS

  • Prior guiding, leadership, and tourism experience is helpful
  • Must be able to lift up to 60 pounds repeatedly throughout each day
  • Must be able to carry loads over uneven ground
  • Must possess strong work ethic and a positive attitude
  • Must be able to work well with up to two other guides on a tour
  • Must be comfortable speaking to large groups of people
  • Must be able to handle back-to-back tours throughout the day
  • Must be currently certified or willing to obtain certifications in 1st Aid and CPR at minimum (WFR or WEMT preferred)


UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS

  • Employees must bring pants that follow uniform colors (navy blue, blacks, greys, dark greens, & brown)
  • Employees should bring a water-resistant jacket (water-proof recommended) in black or navy blue.


JOB DUTIES

  • Responsible for safety of up to twelve guests throughout entire duration of tour
  • Responsible for following a strict daily schedule
  • Responsible for cleanliness and maintenance of gear, trail and staging areas/kiosk
  • Responsible for communicating all incidents to Site Manager
  • Responsible for communicating all gear and vehicle issues to manager
  • Must be a good communicator with the willingness entertain their guests
  • Must possess the desire to continually improve your knowledge on the area as well as hard/soft skills required for the job
  • Must always be clean, well groomed, courteous, honest, and reliable
  • Must possess a positive attitude that is friendly, considerate, strong, and energetic
  • Must be willing to work as a strong team member, assisting in the maintenance of group morale
  • Responsible for entering hours daily in our online timesheet system
  • Guides report to the Skagway Site Manager


ADDITIONAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Employees will be called on to participate in a variety of activities associated with the climbing and adventure park sites and operation, as well as residential upkeep. Routine maintenance at the climbing and zip sites includes course and route inspections, maintenance and route cleaning, documentation of inspections, trail work, and area development. Daily operations also include vehicle cleaning and washing as well as other maintenance.

Employees may be called on to share driving responsibilities and potentially other part time office duties. Driving is an important part of the program and guides will be expected to not only be safe and abide by all local and state driving regulations, but also to be entertaining for our guests. The drive to and from the climbing/zip site is an opportunity to enhance the guests experience by providing historical and interesting information about the town, its history, the beautiful outdoors surrounding us, and other types of trips and programs that the guests can participate in within the AMG.

Employees may also be called on to participate in Haines-based long trip programs at any time. The opportunity to gather additional experience in any of these programs is a privilege. One of the key elements of the AMG and IWLS structure is the use of staff from Skagway for programs generally operating out of Haines. The ability to be flexible with schedules and adapt to changes, sometimes with short notice, is a requirement and expectation of your employment.

      TRAINING

      All new employees must participate in Guide School Courses provided through the International Wilderness Leadership School (IWLS) for your chosen discipline (rock, zip, rafting, etc.). IWLS is an accredited, recognized leader in experiential education. These courses will develop your technical, decision making, and leadership skills. Successful completion of these courses will grant you IWLS certifications. These skills are transferrable and can be used with any similar employer or even for recreational purposes. For over 30 years, our clients have been participating in the same courses often gaining college credit.


      IWLS courses for Alaska Mountain Guides Rock, Zip and Hike Guides:


      • IWLS Rock Climbing & Rappelling Guide School, 7 days
      • IWLS Ziplining Guide School, 7 days (unpaid)
      • IWLS Hiking Guide School, 1-2 day (unpaid)
      • IWLS Wilderness First Responder - 10 days (only required for Trip Lead positions - WFR cost)
      • 1-2 days paid training (Emergency Response, Dock Rep training, etc). You may be required to cross train and take additional training to expand your opportunities and provide greater flexibility.


      PROFESSIONALISM

      AMG employees represent the company whether they are working with clients or sitting at a restaurant in Skagway. AMG expects employees to hold themselves to the highest character at all times and provide a leading example in the community for the type of behavior associated with the quality guide service that employs them.

      MID-SEASON OPERATIONS

      Early to mid-June through late-August is the height of the cruise line season. In this period staff will be required to work 40+ hours a week. During the height of the season, long periods of time off will likely not be approved. This is the heart of the season so flexibility, dedication, and a commitment to being a strong team member are required from the staff to meet the demand of our cruise line clients and our other long trip programs.


      LIVING SPACE AND RENT STRUCTURE

      Employeehousing is located in downtown Skagway. The grocery store and other attractions are within walking distance from housing. Accommodations consistof shared roomstypically 2-4 beds to a room, although the largest room is a 6-occupant bunkroom.Each house features shared bathrooms, a kitchen area, andlivingroom. Employeesresidingin housing are expected to respect others andmaintaina clean living area. Rent procedures are outlined in the Employee Manual. The two downtown houses share a large yard with mountain views, providinga fantastic base for our team.

      Additional Notes

      • Rent deductions are made twice a month with 50% of the months rent deducted from the 1st and 2nd paycheck.
      • Rent is prorated for the first month, rent for the last pay period will be deducted in full even if you vacate housing early.
      • There is limited space for people who drive to Skagway and wish to live in their vehicle. Additional info can be provided in an interview.
      • Employees must vacate housing within 48hours of their final shift unless other arrangements have been approved by management.
      • Failure to abide by rules outlined in the employee manual and housing agreement may result in immediate expulsion from employee housing.
      • Pets - No pets are allowed within any company housing.