How much does a Tourist guide make

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  2. Tourist guide
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Tourist 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 Tourist guide

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

What does a Tourist Guide do? – Tasks and Work Environment

A Tourist Guide is responsible for leading and informing groups of visitors at sights, museums, and other interesting locations. Tasks include planning and conducting guided tours, requiring both factual knowledge and the ability to bring stories about culture, history, and nature to life. In addition to guiding, service tasks such as answering questions, managing bookings, and ensuring participants have a safe and memorable experience are often included. The work environment can vary greatly – from city walks in urban settings to nature guiding in forests and outdoors – and work is often outdoors and during peak season when tourism is most intense.

Salary development over time

The salary for a Tourist Guide has increased gradually over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 28,200 SEK per month, rising to 28 500 SEK in 2023. The biggest increase occurred between 2023 and 2024, when the average reached 30 200 SEK, representing nearly a 6% increase in just one year. This development is linked to rising demand for qualified guides as tourism recovers post-pandemic. Additionally, increased professionalism in the industry and requirements for language skills and specialization have contributed to positive salary growth, although the profession still experiences seasonal variations and some salary disparities.

Tourist Guide salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 30 200 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 27,700 SEK/month (woman, multiple sectors)
  • Highest salary: 33,600 SEK/month (woman, public sector, upper secondary education max 2 years)
  • Hourly wage: 181 SEK/hour (based on 166 hours/month)
  • Women: 29 900 SEK/month (97% of men's salary)
  • Men: 30 800 SEK/month
  • Regional differences: Salary levels may vary across regions, but detailed statistics are unavailable.

Education and qualifications

To work as a Tourist Guide, there is usually no specific university degree required, but many employers prefer high school education supplemented with guiding-related courses. Language skills, local knowledge, and service orientation are key qualifications. Certifications from industry organizations and experience working with people often provide an advantage in recruitment.

  • High school education: Usually tourism program or equivalent (3 years)
  • Industry-specific courses: For example, guiding courses via folk high schools or vocational training (1–2 years)
  • Certifications: e.g., authorized guide through local or national organizations
  • Internship: Practical training or trainee periods are often included in the education
  • Language skills: Good proficiency in Swedish and at least one foreign language

Many Tourist Guides have the opportunity to work seasonally in different countries, providing both international experience and excellent networking opportunities. For those who are flexible and multilingual, there are great opportunities to combine work with travel and cultural exchanges.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Tourist Guides are often offered benefits such as overtime pay for evening and weekend work, free work clothing, and sometimes free or discounted entry to various attractions. In some cases, employers may also cover training or further development, and seasonal bonuses may be provided during busy periods.

Competition and challenges

The competition for positions as a Tourist Guide is often high, especially in popular tourist regions and during peak seasons. Since the profession is largely seasonal, demand varies significantly throughout the year, which can lead to periods of unemployment. Additionally, continuous updating of knowledge about history, culture, and current events is necessary to deliver quality guiding. Digitalization and changing tourist behaviors also impose new demands for flexibility and adaptability. Language skills and specialization in niche areas can be crucial for standing out in the job market.

Tips for aspiring Tourist Guides

To succeed as a Tourist Guide, it’s beneficial to develop strong communication and pedagogical skills, as the work requires engaging and informing diverse audiences. A curious and service-minded attitude helps in interacting with visitors from different backgrounds and needs, while good local knowledge provides confidence and credibility. Continuously improving language skills and staying updated on current cultural and historical events increase your employment prospects. Flexibility is important, as working hours and locations often vary. Finally, being resilient and solution-oriented is advantageous for handling unexpected situations during guided tours.

Key facts about Tourist Guides

  • Education level: High school education (tourism program) most common
  • Work environment: Varies, often outdoors and seasonal
  • Job openings: 549 available positions in the profession
  • Gender distribution: Small salary differences between men and women
  • Special skills: Language proficiency and local knowledge highly valued

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years of experience, a Tourist Guide can advance to more specialized roles, such as theme guides in nature or culture, or take on leadership positions like guide coordinator or trainer of new guides. Some choose to start their own business offering niche or customized tours. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service's forecasts, no specific outlook assessment is made due to limited data, but the broad category "Guides and tour leaders" continuously has available positions, indicating ongoing demand. Those combining guiding with digital tools, marketing, or language skills often find it easier to explore new career opportunities.

Frequently asked questions about Tourist Guides

  • What does a Tourist Guide earn?
    - A Tourist Guide has an average salary of 30 200 SEK per month.
  • What are the gender differences in salary?
    - Women earn 29 900 SEK while men earn 30 800 SEK on average, meaning women earn 97% of men's salary.
  • What is the highest and lowest salary for a Tourist Guide?
    - The highest salary is 33,600 SEK (woman, public sector), the lowest is 27,700 SEK (woman, multiple sectors).
  • What education is required to become a Tourist Guide?
    - Usually, high school education supplemented with guiding courses and good language skills.
  • What is the job market like for Tourist Guides?
    - There are 549 available jobs, but competition is high and work is often seasonal.
  • What personal qualities are valued in the profession?
    - Communicative, service-oriented, flexible, and stress-resistant qualities are important.
  • Are there regional salary differences?
    - Salary levels may vary across regions, but detailed statistics are unavailable.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-08-08 22:35:20

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Tourist 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 Tourist 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 Tourist 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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