How much does a Wilderness Guide make

  1. Salary statistics
  2. Wilderness Guide

Wilderness 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 Wilderness Guide

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

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

A wilderness guide leads groups and individuals through nature experiences, often in the form of hikes, paddling, mountain trips, or other adventure activities. Tasks include route planning, safety briefings, guiding, outdoor cooking, and first aid if needed. The work involves close contact with nature and requires good physical condition and the ability to make quick decisions in varying weather and terrain. The work environment is rarely predictable, as it is characterized by outdoor work in changing environments, where flexibility and stress resilience are important qualities.

Salary development over time

Salaries for wilderness guides have shown a steady upward trend over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 28,200 SEK per month, increasing to 28 500 SEK in 2023 and further to 30 200 SEK in 2024. This represents a total salary increase of approximately 7% over the period. This development reflects an increased demand for nature experiences and adventure tourism, where the need for qualified guides has become more evident. At the same time, the increase can also be linked to greater specialization and higher safety standards within the profession, which drives up salaries.

Wilderness Guide salary – complete 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)
  • Gender differences: Women earn 29 900 SEK, men earn 30 800 SEK (women 97% of men's salary)
  • Regional differences: No data on regional variation available

Education and qualifications

To work as a wilderness guide, a combination of formal education and practical experience is usually required. Many educational paths exist, including high school programs in nature management and postgraduate YH courses in adventure tourism or outdoor life. Certifications in first aid and leadership are highly valued, as is documented experience in nature and outdoor activities.

  • High school education: Nature management program, 3 years
  • Postgraduate education: YH courses (1–2 years) in adventure tourism or outdoor life
  • Certifications: First aid, CPR, leadership courses
  • Practical experience: Work experience from guiding roles or trainee positions
  • Prerequisites: Good physical condition, navigation skills, and social competence

Working as a wilderness guide often involves being on-site well before the group to check safety and prepare equipment. Many guides develop a deep local knowledge of flora, fauna, and cultural history, which allows them not only to guide but also to educate and inspire visitors.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensation

Wilderness guides often have access to equipment and work clothing, and sometimes meals and accommodation during longer trips. Compensation for unsocial hours and per diem allowances for travel are common, as are opportunities for further training in safety and outdoor life. Some employers also offer wellness allowances and discounts on outdoor equipment.

Competition and challenges

Competition in the profession of wilderness guiding varies depending on the season and region. During peak season, especially in popular tourist areas, demand for qualified guides increases. Challenges include often insecure employment conditions and seasonal work, with many working on project or hourly basis. The profession also requires continuous updating of safety and environmental knowledge, as well as the ability to handle groups with different experience levels. Long-term success requires flexibility and a willingness to further educate oneself.

Tips for aspiring wilderness guides

To succeed as a wilderness guide, it is good to combine a genuine passion for nature with strong leadership qualities and a high sense of responsibility. Investing time in education in outdoor life and safety, as well as gaining practical experience through volunteering or internships, is advisable. Communication skills are crucial for creating safe and inspiring experiences for participants, while problem-solving skills are often tested in unpredictable situations. Building a network within the industry facilitates finding seasonal jobs and project assignments. Curiosity and a desire to continuously learn about nature, culture, and safety contribute to long-term success. Finally, patience and perseverance are important, as the path to stable employment can be challenging.

Key facts about Wilderness Guide

  • Average salary: 30 200 SEK/month
  • Salary range: 27,700–33,600 SEK/month
  • Education: High school or postgraduate (outdoor life, tourism)
  • Work form: Seasonal or hourly employment is most common
  • Demand: Approximately 550 job openings in the profession

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years in the profession, a wilderness guide can develop into responsible for larger groups, work as a trainer for new guides, or specialize in areas such as mountain safety or eco-tourism. Opportunities also exist to advance to supervisory roles within adventure and tourism companies or to start their own business in nature tourism. The employment agency's forecast for guides and tour leaders is uncertain due to limited data, but the industry is influenced by tourist trends and environmental awareness. Currently, about 550 job openings are reported within the profession, indicating some demand, especially during peak season.

Frequently asked questions about Wilderness Guide

  • What is the average salary of a Wilderness Guide?
    - A wilderness guide has an average monthly salary of 30 200 SEK.
  • What is the salary range for a Wilderness Guide?
    - Salaries range from 27,700 SEK to 33,600 SEK per month depending on experience and employment type.
  • Are there gender differences in salary?
    - Yes, women earn an average of 29 900 SEK and men 30 800 SEK, which means women earn 97% of men's salaries.
  • What education is required to become a Wilderness Guide?
    - High school education in nature management or postgraduate YH programs are recommended, along with certifications in safety and first aid.
  • What does the job market look like for Wilderness Guides?
    - There are about 550 job openings in the profession, but demand varies with season and region.
  • What is the highest salary for a Wilderness Guide?
    - The highest salary is 33,600 SEK and belongs to a woman in the public sector with a high school education of up to 2 years.
  • What is the lowest salary for a Wilderness Guide?
    - The lowest salary is 27,700 SEK and applies to a woman with a 3-year high school education.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-07 08:13:47

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