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River rafting guide salary
Average river rafting guide salary
$42,002
River Rafting Guide Salary Insights
The average salary for a river rafting guide in the United States is approximately $42,002 annually, translating to about $20 per hour. Salaries can vary significantly based on experience, location, and the employer's nature. In general, guides with more experience and specialized skills tend to earn higher wages. For instance, guides in states such as California and Colorado often report some of the highest salaries due to the demand for outdoor recreational activities.
How Experience Affects Earnings
Entry-level river rafting guides can expect to start with lower wages, while those with several years in the field can earn significantly more. Guides who take on leadership roles or work in premium locations may see salaries exceeding $50,000. Additionally, seasonal employment affects income stability, making it crucial for guides to seek year-round opportunities.
Top Paying Locations
Regions like the Rocky Mountains and areas near major rivers are known for higher wages. Cities such as Denver and Salt Lake City offer competitive salaries and numerous job opportunities. Prospective guides should consider these locations for better earning potential and job satisfaction.
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Where can a River Rafting Guide earn more?
Average river rafting guide salary by state
The highest-paying states for river rafting guides are Connecticut, Massachusetts, and California. The lowest average river rafting guide salary states are Nebraska, Wyoming, and Utah.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for river rafting guides
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $48,107 | $23.13 |
| 2 | Connecticut | $51,558 | $24.79 |
| 3 | Vermont | $45,425 | $21.84 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $50,703 | $24.38 |
| 5 | California | $49,921 | $24.00 |
| 6 | Maine | $42,436 | $20.40 |
| 7 | Virginia | $47,181 | $22.68 |
| 8 | New Hampshire | $48,781 | $23.45 |
| 9 | New York | $45,655 | $21.95 |
| 10 | Tennessee | $37,023 | $17.80 |
| 11 | Delaware | $38,949 | $18.73 |
| 12 | Pennsylvania | $41,542 | $19.97 |
| 13 | Arkansas | $34,008 | $16.35 |
| 14 | Arizona | $35,605 | $17.12 |
| 15 | New Jersey | $43,416 | $20.87 |
| 16 | Texas | $37,763 | $18.16 |
| 17 | Indiana | $37,433 | $18.00 |
| 18 | West Virginia | $36,152 | $17.38 |
| 19 | District of Columbia | $39,766 | $19.12 |
| 20 | North Carolina | $37,079 | $17.83 |
| 21 | Rhode Island | $41,641 | $20.02 |
| 22 | Kansas | $34,345 | $16.51 |
| 23 | Maryland | $40,356 | $19.40 |
| 24 | Ohio | $33,458 | $16.09 |
| 25 | Oklahoma | $32,271 | $15.51 |
| 26 | Oregon | $31,018 | $14.91 |
| 27 | New Mexico | $35,688 | $17.16 |
| 28 | Mississippi | $35,106 | $16.88 |
| 29 | Alabama | $33,244 | $15.98 |
| 30 | Nevada | $32,666 | $15.70 |
| 31 | Louisiana | $35,179 | $16.91 |
| 32 | Florida | $32,769 | $15.75 |
| 33 | Georgia | $34,483 | $16.58 |
| 34 | Wyoming | $26,531 | $12.76 |
| 35 | Missouri | $29,986 | $14.42 |
| 36 | South Carolina | $33,730 | $16.22 |
| 37 | Kentucky | $33,399 | $16.06 |
| 38 | Michigan | $31,392 | $15.09 |
| 39 | Utah | $26,381 | $12.68 |
| 40 | Colorado | $26,793 | $12.88 |
| 41 | Nebraska | $26,572 | $12.78 |
| 42 | Idaho | $28,626 | $13.76 |
| 43 | Montana | $24,027 | $11.55 |
| 44 | Hawaii | $33,921 | $16.31 |
| 45 | Illinois | $28,205 | $13.56 |
| 46 | Washington | $29,857 | $14.35 |
| 47 | North Dakota | $26,714 | $12.84 |
| 48 | Minnesota | $28,071 | $13.50 |
| 49 | Wisconsin | $26,971 | $12.97 |
| 50 | Iowa | $26,287 | $12.64 |
| 51 | South Dakota | $24,597 | $11.83 |
Highest paying cities for river rafting guides
The highest-paying cities for river rafting guides are Charlemont, MA, Healy, AK, and Coloma, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charlemont, MA | $52,226 | $25.11 |
| 2 | Healy, AK | $47,342 | $22.76 |
| 3 | Coloma, CA | $46,820 | $22.51 |
| 4 | Bend, OR | $30,346 | $14.59 |
| 5 | Salida, CO | $27,823 | $13.38 |
| 6 | Eagle, CO | $26,706 | $12.84 |
| 7 | Idaho Springs, CO | $26,607 | $12.79 |
River rafting guide salary details
A river rafting guide's salary ranges from $12,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $140,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a river rafting guide's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $140,000 | $11,667 | $67 |
| 75th Percentile | $79,000 | $6,583 | $38 |
| Average | $42,002 | $3,500 | $20 |
| 25th Percentile | $22,000 | $1,833 | $11 |
| 10th Percentile | $12,000 | $1,000 | $6 |
Highest paying river rafting guide jobs
The highest paying types of river rafting guides are hunting guide, wilderness guide, and fishing guide.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Escort | $29,252 | $2,438 | $14.06 | 15,511 |
| Guide | $34,479 | $2,873 | $16.58 | 1,195 |
| Tour Guide | $32,323 | $2,694 | $15.54 | 1,043 |
Top companies hiring river rafting guides now:
Which companies pay river rafting guides the most?
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whitewater Express, Inc. | $41,747 | $20.07 |
| 2 | Travel and Transport | $38,107 | $18.32 |
| 3 | Amber Waves | $27,936 | $13.43 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
River rafting guide salary trends
The average river rafting guide salary has risen by $7,718 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average river rafting guide earned $34,284 annually, but today, they earn $42,002 a year. That works out to a 16% change in pay for river rafting guides over the last decade.
Compare river rafting guide salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average river rafting guide salary over time
Compare river rafting guide salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
River rafting guide salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $42,000 | $20.19 | +6.3% |
| 2024 | $39,400 | $18.92 | +3.7% |
| 2023 | $37,900 | $18.21 | +3.0% |
| 2022 | $36,700 | $17.66 | +1.6% |
| 2021 | $36,200 | $17.39 | +3.3% |
Recently added river rafting guide salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wisp Resort | White Water Rafting at Wisp-River Guide | Maryland | 04/18/2025 | $35,479 |
| French Broad Adventures | River-Raft Guide | Asheville, NC | 01/21/2025 | $21,914 |
| Colorado Outback Adventures | Whitewater Raft Guide | Durango, CO | 01/17/2025 | $31,305 |
| Alaska Mountain Guides | Hike and Float Rafting Guide | Skagway, AK | 01/06/2025 | $29,218 |
| Alaska Mountain Guides | Raft Guide | Haines, AK | 12/02/2024 | $29,218 |
| Alaska Mountain Guides | Skagway Rafting Guide | Nome, AK | 10/23/2024 | $29,218 |
| Frenchbroadrafting | River-Raft Guide | Asheville, NC | 10/05/2024 | $21,914 |
| California State University, Sacramento | Raft Guide | Kane, PA | 09/25/2024 | $34,957 |
| French Broad Adventures | River-Raft Guide | Asheville, NC | 09/23/2024 | $21,914 |
| California State University, Sacramento | Raft Guide | Kane, PA | 09/11/2024 | $34,957 |
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