Personal Care & Service
Tour Guides and Escorts
Also called: Art Museum Docent, Discovery Guide, Docent, Guide
US median pay
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not published
Job growth 2025–35
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Openings a year (US)
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Typical entry education
Associate's degree
Preparation 3/5 · Medium preparation
What this job is
Escort individuals or groups on sightseeing tours or through places of interest, such as industrial establishments, public buildings, and art galleries.
What they do day to 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.
- Provide directions and other pertinent information to visitors.
- Select travel routes and sites to be visited based on knowledge of specific areas.
- Provide for physical safety of groups, performing such activities as providing first aid or directing emergency evacuations.
- Assemble and check the required supplies and equipment prior to departure.
- Greet and register visitors, and issue any required identification badges or safety devices.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Social Perceptiveness3.2/5
- Service Orientation3.1/5
- Time Management3.0/5
- Coordination3.0/5
- Judgment and Decision Making2.8/5
- Persuasion2.6/5
- Instructing2.4/5
- Negotiation2.1/5
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service4.4/5
- English Language4.1/5
- History and Archeology3.6/5
- Communications and Media3.2/5
- Education and Training3.2/5
- Geography2.9/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 3 of 5 — Medium preparation. Usually vocational training, an associate's degree or an apprenticeship.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Associate's degree31%
- Bachelor's degree30%
- High school diploma22%
Who this job suits
Mostly Social
Helping, teaching and caring for people
Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Artistic
Creating, designing and self-expression
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.