Social Services
Tour Guides and Escorts
Escort individuals or groups on sightseeing tours or through places of interest, such as industrial establishments, public buildings, and art galleries.
Median salary (BLS)
$38,120
10th–90th percentile (BLS)
$29k – $61k
Job outlook
+8% (faster than average)
AI exposure
Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $87,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.
Plan a path to Tour Guides and Escorts
Education
Typical entry: Associate degree
Plan my path to this →How to qualify
EstimateLicense requiredCost to qualify
$8,200–$23,000
Time to qualify
3 yr
Renewal
$75/yr
- 1
Associate degree (community college)
DegreeTwo years at in-district rates — average published tuition & fees ≈ $4,050/yr, plus ~$1,200/yr books & supplies.
$8,000–$22,000 · 2 years source
- 2
State license — supervised hours + exam
LicenseMost counseling and social-work roles (LCSW/LPC pattern) require supervised experience hours and a state exam.
$200–$1,000 · 12 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source
Estimated typical U.S. route for "Tour Guides and Escorts" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.
Typical progression
Junior Tour Guides and Escorts
Entry / Junior
$28,520
~2 yrs to advance
Tour Guides and Escorts
Established
$38,120
~3 yrs to advance
Senior Tour Guides and Escorts
Senior
$49,525
Key skills
A typical day
- •Describe tour points of interest to group members, and respond to questions.
- •Escort individuals or groups on cruises, sightseeing tours, or through places of interest, such as industrial establishments, public buildings, or art galleries.
- •Monitor visitors' activities to ensure compliance with establishment or tour regulations and safety practices.
- •Conduct educational activities for school children.
- •Research various topics, including site history, environmental conditions, and clients' skills and abilities to plan appropriate expeditions, instruction, and commentary.
Fields of study
Any field
Top colleges for Social Services
Explore all- University of Michigan18% admit · $87,000 grad pay
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill19% admit · $73,000 grad pay
- University of Chicago5% admit · $91,000 grad pay
- Columbia University4% admit · $103,000 grad pay
- University of Wisconsin–Madison49% admit · $72,000 grad pay
Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.