Tour guide vs docent

The differences between tour guides and docents can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a tour guide and a docent. Additionally, a docent has an average salary of $40,771, which is higher than the $32,323 average annual salary of a tour guide.

The top three skills for a tour guide include local history, customer service and safety practices. The most important skills for a docent are natural history, public speaking, and front desk.

Tour guide vs docent overview

	Tour Guide	Docent
Yearly salary	$32,323	$40,771
Hourly rate	$15.54	$19.60
Growth rate	-	12%
Number of jobs	1,043	253
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 70%	Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Average age	34	34
Years of experience	2	2

Tour guide vs docent salary

Tour guides and docents have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Tour Guide	Docent
Average salary	$32,323	$40,771
Salary range	Between $18,000 And $55,000	Between $22,000 And $74,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	-
Highest paying state	Alaska	-
Best paying company	Harley-Davidson	-
Best paying industry	Education	-

Differences between tour guide and docent education

There are a few differences between a tour guide and a docent in terms of educational background:

	Tour Guide	Docent
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 70%	Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Most common major	Business	Fine Arts
Most common college	Stanford University	Stanford University

Tour guide vs docent demographics

Here are the differences between tour guides' and docents' demographics:

	Tour Guide	Docent
Average age	34	34
Gender ratio	Male, 46.8% Female, 53.2%	Male, 33.0% Female, 67.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.6% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 10.5% Asian, 9.9% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 10.4% Asian, 9.9% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between tour guide and docent duties and responsibilities

Tour guide example responsibilities.

Manage the canoe landing including guests, workers, and canoe traffic in a way that all run smoothly and safely.
Aid clients with matters regarding passports and visas.
Receive multiple positive reviews on the company Facebook page.
Complete extensive training as well as first aid, CPR and a certification.
Maintain alertness for any problem solve calls via radio and communication with management.
Spearhead all creative activity for online marketing (Facebook), and other social media sites5.

Docent example responsibilities.

Lead VIP guests on guide tours of the property and facilitate their involvement in special events, productions, and conventions.
Inform visitors throughout the aquarium on specific exhibits, animals, and marine wildlife conservation.
Educate aquarium guests on the importance of oceanic conservation, and answer questions concerning the species on display
Control exhibits that require oversight in the financial department.
Train customers in operating Segway personal transport devices and hold entertaining tours.
Conduct tours of the anthropology and paleontology museums * Write/edit exhibit- and art show-relate materials

Tour guide vs docent skills

Common tour guide skills

Local History, 22%
Customer Service, 19%
Safety Practices, 16%
Public Speaking, 8%
Front Desk, 4%
Facebook, 3%

Common docent skills

Natural History, 40%
Public Speaking, 10%
Front Desk, 7%
Educational Programs, 6%
Aquarium, 6%
Museum Visitors, 5%