Wildland Guide Pay
Learn about how Wildland guides get paid and how much they make.
One of our goals at Wildland Trekking is to create a home for outdoor professionals who want to make a living guiding. It continues to be our focus as regulatory and practical considerations alter the landscape of what it means to be compensated as an outdoor guide in today’s world. On this page we cover how our in-field pay systems work and benefits guides receive as employees. With an annual average of 10,000 guests, an average field staff schedule of 15 days working a month, our guides have the potential to making a good living.
How Much Do Wildland Guides Make?
All Wildland Trekking guides are paid by the hour. For guides who have only been paid by the day, it can be an adjustment moving to an hourly pay system. Due to changes in federal regulations, it is illegal for most companies to pay by the day, and hourly pay is the future of the guiding industry. We hire our field staff as employees versus independent contractors which comes with a handful of benefits. Due to the length of trips and long days working in the field, guides can expect a mix of base hourly pay and overtime wages in line with federal and state laws.
Each year we evaluate, and as needed, update guide’s hourly pay. 2025 hourly rates will be rolling this out late this year. This means guides at Wildland Trekking can expect competitive wages in line, or above, industry standard. If not yet updated on our website, applicants selected for interviews will get the chance to cover hourly and overtime wages incoming guides can expect in detail with our team.
Gratuities
In addition to hourly and overtime pay, gratuities can comprise a significant and important part of a guide’s compensation. The industry recommended gratuity amount is 10-20% of the trip cost. Gratuities are always optional and based on level of satisfaction. Wildland promotes tipping to the greatest extent possible while remaining tactful and professional. Field staff are not permitted to solicit tips in any way other than doing their best to provide an exceptional trip for their guests and superb customer service. On many trips field staff realize as much as 30-60% of their income through gratuities.
Important Note: New guides are required to shadow a senior guide on at least one trip. Trainee guides are not eligible for gratuities on shadow trip(s).
BENEFITS
- 401k and/or Roth 401k Retirement Savings Plans with vested employer contributions
- Employee-Sponsored College Savings Plan: for parents, we offer a CollegeAmerica 529 College Savings Plan.
- Paid Sick Leave
- Staff Trip Discount Policy
- Staff can join domestic or international trips at wholesale costs
- Staff’s family members and significant others can join trips with a discount on a case by case basis
- Prodeals and Discounts
- Access to large variety of companies to choose from!
- When available, company-sponsored or access to discounted certification courses (LNT Master Course or WFR recertification courses)
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