How much does a Tour guide make

  1. Salary statistics
  2. Tour guide
Image that illustrates Tour guide

Tour guide

30 200 kr

Guides and tour leaders

27 700 - 33 600 kr / month

Women earn 97% of what men do.

Försäljning & inköp

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Tour guide

Average salary 30 200 kr
Males 30 800 kr
Females 29 900 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 15 Vacant jobs ->

What does a Tour Guide do? – Tasks and work environment

A Tour Guide is responsible for planning, executing, and leading group trips within Sweden or abroad. The profession involves creating a safe and inspiring experience for travelers, managing logistics around transportation, accommodation, and activities, as well as solving unexpected challenges during the trip. The guide often acts as a contact person between travelers, local partners, and the tour operator, which requires high service skills and the ability to quickly adapt to different situations. The work environment can vary greatly depending on the destination, season, and type of trip, and often includes travel during inconvenient hours, long workdays, and work outside of an office setting.

Salary development over time

Over the past three years, Tour Guides have seen a steady increase in average salary. In 2022, the average salary was 28,200 SEK per month, followed by a slight rise to 28 500 SEK in 2023. The most significant increase occurs between 2023 and 2024, where the average salary rose to 30 200 SEK, corresponding to an increase of about 6% compared to the previous year. This trend can partly be explained by increased demand for guides and tour leaders after the pandemic downturn, as well as employers trying to attract skilled staff back to the industry. Salary levels are also affected by seasonal variations, education level, and experience, but the positive trend indicates a recovery and stabilization within the profession.

Tour Guide salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 30 200 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 27,700 SEK/month (woman, high school education, 3 years)
  • Highest salary: 33,600 SEK/month (woman, public sector, high school education up to 2 years)
  • Hourly wage: 181 SEK/hour (based on 166 hours/month)
  • Women earn: 29 900 SEK/month (97% of men's salary)
  • Men earn: 30 800 SEK/month
  • Regional differences: Salary variations occur, mainly depending on employer and destination, but detailed regional statistics are lacking.

Education and qualifications

To work as a Tour Guide, usually no specific university degree is required, but a high school diploma is common. Many employers seek education in tourism, languages, or service, along with experience from travel and customer contact. Practical experience in the travel industry, good language skills, and the ability to handle stressful situations are highly meritorious.

  • High school education: Tourism program or equivalent (3 years)
  • Vocational higher education: Tourism or tour guide training (1–2 years)
  • Courses/certifications: Leadership, first aid, language courses
  • Internship/trainee: Often requires work experience or internship in the travel industry
  • Language skills: English and additional languages are highly advantageous

Many Tour Guides get the chance to explore new cultures and environments while working, making the profession a unique combination of adventure and responsibility. For social individuals who enjoy variety, the role offers experiences few other jobs can match.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Tour Guides often have access to perks such as free or discounted travel, per diems for international stays, meals and accommodation during business trips, and sometimes bonuses linked to customer satisfaction. Flexibility in working hours, opportunities for language development, and broad industry contacts are also common. Employee discounts on travel and arrangements are offered by larger tour operators.

Competition and challenges

Competition for positions as a Tour Guide varies depending on the season and demand. During peak seasons, especially summer and winter, the need for staff increases, while the availability of permanent positions is limited. Challenges in the profession include handling unexpected situations abroad, working under pressure, and maintaining high customer satisfaction despite long workdays. The profession requires flexibility, patience, and a strong sense of service. The industry is also sensitive to changes in the global situation, such as pandemics or economic fluctuations, which can affect both demand and employment conditions.

Tips for aspiring Tour Guides

To succeed as a Tour Guide, it is good to be outgoing and solution-oriented. Practicing clear and friendly communication gives you an advantage when meeting travelers from different backgrounds. High stress tolerance makes it easier to handle unexpected situations, allowing you to act calmly when problems arise. Deepening language and cultural knowledge increases your chances of employment and provides confidence in the role. Gaining experience from customer service, hotels, or other service jobs is often valuable, as is demonstrating flexibility regarding working hours and destinations. Engagement and enthusiasm for helping others make it easier to create memorable trips for your clients. Finally, good organizational skills and the ability to plan routes and activities efficiently are important.

Key facts about Tour Guides

  • Salary range: 27,700–33,600 SEK/month
  • Average salary: 30 200 SEK/month
  • Education level: High school or vocational education
  • Work form: Seasonal and project-based employment are common
  • Job openings: Approximately 550 advertised positions within the profession

Career paths and future prospects

After 3–5 years in the profession, a Tour Guide can advance to roles such as supervisor, product developer in the travel industry, or trainer for new guides. Some choose to specialize in themed trips, event planning, or start their own tourism business. According to the Employment Service, no specific forecast for future job opportunities exists due to limited data, but the number of job openings within the profession is around 550. The industry is sensitive to economic cycles, but opportunities exist for those who are flexible and possess broad skills.

Frequently asked questions about Tour Guides

  • What is the average salary of a Tour Guide?
    - The average salary for a Tour Guide is 30 200 SEK per month.
  • Are there significant salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn 97% of what men do in the profession.
  • What education is required to become a Tour Guide?
    - High school education in tourism or equivalent, along with language skills and service experience, is recommended.
  • Is the job seasonal?
    - Yes, many positions are seasonal or project-based, especially during peak seasons.
  • What is the highest salary for a Tour Guide?
    - The highest salary is 33,600 SEK and belongs to a woman in the public sector.
  • What are the future prospects?
    - No exact forecast exists, but approximately 550 job openings are advertised within the profession.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-04 15:47:09

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Tour guide is 33600 kr. This salary belongs to a woman working in the Public sector with a upper secondary education, maximum 2 years. The highest salary for a man in this profession is 31500 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Tour guide is 27700 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Multiple sectors. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 30600 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 24300 kr 28200 kr
25-34 27700 kr 30600 kr
35-44 29600 kr 31700 kr
Snitt 97% 27200 kr 30200 kr
* Empty columns indicate that the statistical data was insufficient to allow for a statistically significant conclusion.
Salary per sector
Salary based on education
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About the data

All information displayed on this page is based on data from the Swedish Central Bureau of Statistics (SCB), the Swedish Tax Agency and the Swedish employment agency. Learn more about our data and data sources here.

All figures are gross salaries, meaning salaries before tax. The average salary, or mean salary, is calculated by adding up the total salary for all individuals within the profession and dividing it by the number of individuals. For specific job categories, we have also considered various criteria such as experience and education.

Profession Tour guide has the SSYK code 5113, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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