Social Services
Travel Guides
Plan, organize, and conduct long-distance travel, tours, and expeditions for individuals and groups.
Median salary (BLS)
$38,120
10th–90th percentile (BLS)
$29k – $61k
Job outlook
+8% (faster than average)
AI exposure
Plan a path to Travel Guides
Education
Typical entry: No degree required
Plan my path to this →How to qualify
EstimateLicense requiredCost to qualify
$200–$1,150
Time to qualify
1.5 yr
Renewal
$75/yr
- 1
High school diploma or GED
CourseExpected by most employers; if you need the GED, test fees run $0–$150 depending on the state.
$0–$150 · 3 months · varies by state source
- 2
On-the-job training
ExperienceEmployer-provided and typically paid — days to a few months for most no-degree roles.
Cost varies · 3 months source
- 3
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 "Travel Guides" — 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 Travel Guides
Entry / Junior
$28,520
~2 yrs to advance
Travel Guides
Established
$38,120
~3 yrs to advance
Senior Travel Guides
Senior
$49,525
Key skills
A typical day
- •Arrange for tour or expedition details such as accommodations, transportation, equipment, and the availability of medical personnel.
- •Plan tour itineraries, applying knowledge of travel routes and destination sites.
- •Resolve any problems with itineraries, service, or accommodations.
- •Attend to special needs of tour participants.
- •Sell travel packages.
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.