bike tour guide salary

Tailwind on every ride? – See e-bike trips

Book your fall training now – see Ride Camps

European Classic booking fast – see the trips

• Request a Catalog
• 866-464-8735

Select Date Range

Modal title, popular searches.

California Wine Country Bike Tour

Croatia and The Dalmatian Coast Bike Tour

Amsterdam to Bruges Bike Tour

Tuscany Bike Tour

Trek Travel Guide Applications

Become a guide.

Interested in bike tour guide jobs? Click the articles below to read through all the details on what it takes to be a Trek Travel Guide! Apply as soon as possible to get the process started. Our applications are reviewed in the order they are received, and the 2024 season will be here before you know it!

Please note: Our Selection Process is fully virtual and our Training Event will be a combination of virtual learning and a week of in-person training in Madison, Wisconsin or Girona, Spain, depending on an applicant’s continent of residence. Guides will only work in their continent of residence.

Helpful Resources

So you want to be a guide? We can’t wait to hear from you! You can find all the answers to your questions about our bike tour guide jobs by reading the pdfs below. Contact [email protected] if you have questions.

Letter from Tania Burke

Life of a guide, job details, requirements to apply, application process, trek travel blog.

If a date is marked as Private, it is reserved for a private group.

Looking to travel with a small group or looking for a custom date? Call our trip consultants at 866-464-8735

What is the Difference?

Ultimate luxury:.

Savor some of the most spectacular, 5-star properties in the world. Exuding luxury and elegance, these one-of-a-kind accommodations offer the chance to rejuvenate at award-winning spas, dine at Michelin-starred restaurants, and more.

Enjoy luxurious accommodations handpicked for a refined experience. From signature spa treatments to delicious local cuisine, you’ll be more than provided for; you’ll be pampered.

These handpicked hotels provide relaxation and fun in a casual and comfortable environment. Delicious cuisine and great service mix perfectly for a memorable stay.

On select cycling vacations, you’ll stay at a mix of hotel levels, from Explorer to Luxury to Ultimate Luxury. Rest assured, no matter which level of hotel you’re at, our trip designers carefully select every accommodation.

Activity Level

Road : 1-3 hours of riding. Up to 25 mi (40 km). Up to 1,000 ft (300 m).

Gravel: 1-3 hours of riding. Up to 20 mi (35 km). Up to 1,000 ft (300 m).

Hiking: 1-3 hours of hiking. Up to 5 mi (8 km). Up to 1,000 ft (300 m).

Road : 2-4 hours of riding. 20-35 mi (35-60 km). Up to 2,500 ft (750 m).

Gravel: 2-4 hours of riding. 15-30 mi (25-45 km). Up to 2,000 ft (300 m).

Hiking: 2-4 hours of hiking. 4-8 mi (6-12 km). Up to 1,500 ft (450 m).

Road : 3-5 hours of riding. 25-55 mi (40-85 km). Up to 4,500 ft (1,500 m).

Gravel: 3-5 hours of riding. 20-40 mi (35-60 km). Up to 3,000 ft (900 m).

Hiking: 3-5 hours of hiking. 6-10 mi (9-16 km). Up to 2,000 ft (600 m).

Road : 4+ hours of riding. 40-70 mi (60-110 km). Up to 8,000 ft (2,400 m).

Gravel:  4+ hours of riding. 30-50 mi (45-80 km). Up to 4,000 ft (1,200 m).

Hiking: 4+ hours of hiking. 7-15 mi (11-24 km). Up to 4,000 ft (1,200 m).

What are your trip styles?

Classic - reserve:.

Savor the finer things as you relax in luxurious 5-star accommodations and wine, dine, and ride in some of the most unforgettable destinations around the world.

Classic - Signature:

Explore beautiful destinations by bike, enjoy extra inclusions, savor delicious local cuisine, and enjoy the perfect mix of accommodations.

Classic - Discover:

Enjoy a casual cycling vacation with fantastic routes and comfortable accommodations.

Train like the pros in some of their favorite riding destinations.

See the pros in action at the biggest cycling events of the year.

Cross Country:

Tackle an epic adventure that takes you point-to-point across mountains, countryside, and more.

Self-Guided

Enjoy a bike tour on your schedule with just your chosen travel companions.

Single Occupancy

Sometimes it’s more convenient and comfortable to have your own room while on vacation. We understand and that’s why we offer a Single Occupancy option. The additional price guarantees a private room all to yourself

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.

• Follow us on Facebook
• Follow us on Twitter
• Follow us on YouTube
• Follow us on Pinterest
• Connect with us on LinkedIn
• Subscribe to our blog
• Cool and Unique Jobs (Check them out!)
• Take a Gap Year!
• Alaska Fishing Industry
• On-Demand Delivery Jobs
• Wine Industry Jobs
• Nursing Jobs (High Demand)
• Truck Driving Jobs (High Demand)
• Security Mercenary Jobs
• Becoming a Male Model
• Drone Operator Jobs
• Jobs in the Renewable Energy Industry
• On-Demand Odd Jobs

• Distillery Jobs
• Beach Resort Jobs
• Tour / Travel Gigs
• Pet Sitting Jobs
• Land Tour Section
• Animal Jobs Section
• Working Abroad
• Shared Economy Jobs Section
• Cicerone, Beer Sommelier Jobs
• Teaching / Tutoring / Coaching Gigs
• Backpacking Trip Leader Jobs

Bicycle Tour Guide Jobs

Riding a bike is a unique way to see the world. You can enjoy the fresh air in places like Alaska, Spain, Australia, France, or Italy. You can tour scenic mountain ranges, bustling cities, tranquil plains, or vibrant coastlines. When you go on a professionally organized bike tour, you will have a bike tour guide by your side.

Bike tour guides lead bike tours. They take worldly tourists to see the of the world from the comfort of a bicycle.

Tours can last a weekend, a week, or a month. When traveling by bike, the world takes on a whole new perspective.

Tours take place all over the world. Routes and itineraries are established by cycling tour operators. These companies pick beautiful places. Sometimes these tours offer lavish accommodations and fine dining. Other times they are backpacker style and are an economical way to vacation. Some companies organize custom trips, but most use established routes where they have already laid the groundwork for lodging, meals, and trip support.

Bike tour guides work for cycling tour operators. They are the face of the company. They need to be easy going, adaptable, customer service oriented people. Many bike tour clients have never done a bike tour. The guide needs to be able to coach and teach clients. They need to read their group and plan accordingly. And a quick aside, if you like the sound of this work then consider working as a river raft guide , which is covered extensively elsewhere on JobMonkey.

Bikes are an economical, green way to travel. They are simple inventions that can go anywhere. Bike tour guides need to be excellent bikers, physically fit, and have vast knowledge of bikes. They must be able to fix a flat tire, adjust a seat, tweak gears, and tighten brakes.

Bike tour guides are more than just bike fanatics. When people travel long distances for a bike tour they expect their guide to be a tourism professional. Guides need to be able to answer any and all questions as they cycle along the Mediterranean Coast or through the vineyards of Napa Valley.

An in depth knowledge of the area, activities, history, culture, and tour is essential for success. Many companies require guides to speak the local language. A bike tour guide isn’t just showing people around. They are on call 24 hours a day and must ensure the comfort and safety of the guests at all times.

Bike tour guides can work all over the place. They may lead week long tours in the Alps, meet cruise ships in the Caribbean and cycle to different reefs, lead wine tours in Chile, or point out the sites in London.

Bike tour guiding is a perfect seasonal job that provides a great opportunity to travel all over the world. Any enthusiastic person can be a bike tour guide because no formal education is required.

Look for work as a tour guide directly with companies like Fat Tire Tours, Backroads, or Trek Travel. Start the job search early. It’s definitely a competitive job.

Bike tours are not just fun vacations, but they are also educational experiences. Pedaling a bike is a great way to relax, see the world, and get a paycheck. Bike tour guides usually are paid on contract for a tour. They make anywhere from $75 to $150 per day. Often airfare, room, board, and expenses are also paid. Pay will vary for each employer, experience, length of trip, and trip location. Plus many bike tour guides get tipped after a fun journey.

If you love to travel, ride your bike, and deal with people you should be a bike tour guide. It’s an amazing gig. There is nothing like fresh air as you pedal across the world.

Quick Facts About Bike Tour Jobs

Job Title: Bike Tour Guide Office: On a bike breathing fresh air Description: Lead bike tours Certifications/Education: No formal education necessary Necessary Skills: Love for bikes, Knowledge of touring area, Communication skills Potential Employers: Bike tour operators Pay: $75 to $150 a day, depends on location

Helpful Bicycle Tour Guide Employment Links:

Search Bicycle Tour Guide and Other Guide Jobs on JobMonkey National Tour Association – www.ntaonline.com Trek Travel – www.trektravel.com Bicycle Tour Directory – www.bicycletour.com National Bike Tour Director’s Association – www.nbtda.com Adventure Cycling Association – www.adventurecycling.org Bike Tour Reviews – www.biketour-reviews.com Fat Tire Tours – www.fattirebiketours.com

• Subcribe to our blog

Tour guide salary

The average wage for a tour guide in the United States is around $11.32 per hour.

Tour guides earn an average hourly wage of $ 11.32 . Salaries typically start from $ 9.87 per hour and go up to $ 16.54 per hour .

61 % below national average ● Updated in 2018

Tour guide earnings by seniority

Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.

Tour guide salary by state

How do tour guide salaries compare to similar careers.

Tour guides earn about the same as related careers in the United States. On average, they make less than recreation workers but more than receptionists.

Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)

Popular Searches

• Portugal Bike Tours
• Family Trips
• National Parks
• River Cruises
• Women's Adventures

Backroads Trip Leaders: Compensation, Benefits & Work Authorization

Why backroads.

Where do we start? Dream job. Best job in the world. Recognized by  Outside Magazine  on their annual "Best Places to Work" surveys. Our leaders love their work so much, over 90% return to lead year after year. And that's just the start of it. Working for Backroads means you will:

• Have an office that's constantly changing —in the most beautiful areas of the world.
• Be outside on a daily basis, being active and healthy .
• Challenge yourself , physically and mentally, developing leadership skills and friendships that will carry with you forever.
• Be part of a continually growing company that provides extensive mentorship, embraces transparent management practices and provides dynamic career opportunities .

Now Getting Down to Business...

Backroads began in 1979 as an innovative active travel company. Now the industry leader in active travel, we offer more biking, walking and multi-adventure tours in more locations worldwide than any other company. In addition to our company headquarters in Berkeley, California, Backroads has three logistical hubs: Salt Lake City, Utah; Canmore, Alberta (near Banff) Canada; and "801 France" in Pernes-les-Fontaines (in Provence), France.

All of our Field Staff are legally authorized to work for one of our hubs. Learn more about our specific work authorization needs here .

Leaders based in the United States, Canada and Europe are eligible to work in Europe, and we do send a small number of new leaders overseas in their first season. The key factors in determining European trip leading schedules are language skills, European travel experience, and the ability to confidently drive a manual transmission van and pulling a trailer with guests in the van with you. Unfortunately, Backroads cannot sponsor an individual seeking a work visa. Work permits or visas must be obtained separately, on the applicant's own, prior to being considered for a Trip Leader position.

Leader Compensation & Benefits

The Backroads compensation and benefits package sets the standard in the active travel industry. The majority of Field Staff are hired as employees of Backroads, which entitles them to benefits not provided by companies that pay as independent contractors. On top of the most generous base pay rates in the industry, Backroads leaders receive a significant portion of their compensation in gratuities from guests. Our industry-leading position and higher average number of guests per trip translates into tips that usually double and occasionally triple a first year leader's per trip income. Additionally, many perks and benefits minimize out-of-pocket costs giving leaders the opportunity to save money. Here is more information to help you make an informed decision about whether or not being a Backroads Trip Leader is the right job for you.

Amount of Work

Trip Leader earning potential depends on the amount and type of work. New Leaders who graduate from earlier Leadership Training Programs have greater earning potential because they will be available for work sooner. Time off requests can limit earning potential, for more information visit the FAQs page. In 2023 New Leaders worked an average of 111 days from late spring through October. During this period of time, they worked an average of 5 - 6 weeks as a Trip Leader and 5-6 weeks as a Support Leader. The rest of the days were spent preparing for a trip, traveling, training, loading equipment, driving vans, becoming familiar with regions and maintaining equipment. During the same time period, high-performing second-year leaders worked an average of 12 weeks as Trip Leaders, and 2 weeks as Support Leaders (plus ancillary work, driving, etc.). Earning potential and opportunities to lead year-round grows in a leader's second year and beyond. While leaders aren’t working, they have the benefit of time off to explore the region they are in and go on their own outdoor adventures.

Trip Leaders are hired as "seasonal" employees and their season is a six-month period starting when they attend training. Seasonal leaders can expect to wrap up work on or before October 31. Some seasonal leaders are scheduled for work during our winter "peak" (generally late December/early January) based on performance and business need. On or before October 31, leaders will be notified of their status for the next year, and there are 3 possible status options: (1) seasonal leader (6-month or shorter season), (2) extended seasonal leader (greater than 6-month season), (3) year-round leader (leader works on a near year-round basis).

Pay & Gratuities Detailed information about compensation will be provided during the interview stage process.

Allowances While on trip working as a Trip Leader or Support Leader, food is provided. Food allowances are also provided for travel days, drive days, regional familiarization days and some prep days. On top of these allowances, Backroads leaders receive phone stipends and have access to Backroads' computers.

Housing Lodging is provided while leaders are on trips, either in hotels or at campsites. Communal housing is also provided between trips, so leaders will not incur any out-of-pocket expenses for lodging during the entire season. Many of our regions worldwide have "leader houses" in wonderful places that are available to all field staff free of charge while working, and in between trips. In Europe: Tuscany, Puglia, Provence, Loire Valley, Dordogne, Croatia, Hungary, Czech Republic, Ireland, Switzerland. In the United States: Jackson Hole, Wyoming; Anacortes, Washington; Portland, Maine; Whitefish, Montana; Berkeley, California; Stowe, Vermont; Anchorage, Alaska; St. George, Utah; In Canada: Outside Banff; Nova Scotia; Quebec. And other international locales such as: Wanaka, New Zealand; San José, Costa Rica. While housing is communal, all Field Staff will have separate beds (sometimes bunk beds!). Standard with these accommodations are computers, wireless internet and access to bikes for personal use.

Travel Backroads provides all work-related travel. It is a leader's responsibility to travel to their hub (Salt Lake, Canmore or Pernes-Les-Fontaines) at the beginning of the season and home at the end of the season. Leaders enjoy keeping their own frequent flyer miles for personal travel, and may choose to stopover or extend their stay in desired locales within work-sponsored itineraries. Backroads provides all travel to trip destinations during a working season.

Recreational Benefits  Backroads also offers several benefits to leaders that are of a more recreational nature, including generous discounts with brand-name equipment and clothing companies; Backroads-labeled gear (items vary each year); and Backroads trip discounts for family and friends and our favorite: Staff Ride. Select Field Staff in their second season and beyond are invited to our annual Staff Ride (our version of the company picnic). Staff Ride is an all-inclusive multi-day bike trip held in a different destination each year such as: Vietnam, California, Greece, Thailand, Italy, Spain, Slovenia, Provence, India, etc.. Trip leaders who have lead 50, 100, 150, etc. Trips also receive additional milestone gifts to celebrate their accomplishments.

The "Leader Lifestyle" Perhaps the most valuable benefit is enjoying a lifestyle few can match. In addition to trips that feature some of the worlds' best hotels, restaurants and scenery, imagine having time off in some of the most desirable locations around the world, and having the freedom to explore on your own. Not to mention being a part of an incredible, kind, adventurous, friendly and tight-knit community that constantly inspires personal and professional growth. Being a Backroads leader allows for a lifestyle of flexibility, growth and experiences that many value above all other benefits of the job.

Additional Benefits Based on Hub of Employment

Leaders employed by  Backroads Utah  enjoy these benefits:

• 401k Plan : Leaders are eligible to contribute (up to 75% of their income) to a 401k plan after six months of employment. Backroads provides a 20% match on employee contributions of up to 15% of pay, vesting over the five-year period from date of hire.
• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance : Backroads provides group medical, dental and vision insurance eligibility based on a leader's status. Leaders with extended seasonal status who work longer than six months are eligible on the first day of the month following their one-year anniversary if they work 1430 hours or more in their first 11 months of employment (or 1560 or more hours during the previous calendar year in subsequent years of employment). 
• Flex Plan : This plan allows benefits-eligible employees to set aside money on a pre-tax basis to pay for qualifying health and dependent daycare expenses. 
• Workers Compensation Coverage:  In the unfortunate event of a work-related injury all Backroads Leaders are covered by workers compensation insurance which provides coverage for medical care, disability pay and medically necessary transportation costs. 

Leaders employed by our Canadian subsidiary enjoy these benefits:

• Health/Dental Insurance Program : Backroads will reimburse up to $150 CAD per month for provincial medical and/or supplemental medical insurance beginning the first day of the month following the first day of training. Leaders are eligible to receive this reimbursement during months in which they work 10 days or more. 
• Holiday Pay : Canadian Leaders receive paid holidays in accordance with Canadian Labour Code. 
• Vacation Pay : Canadian Leaders receive vacation pay at the rate of 4% of pay for employees who have been with the company for one to five years and 6% of pay for employees who have been with the company for more than five years. 
• Workers Compensation Coverage : In the unfortunate event of a work-related injury all Canadian Backroads Leaders are covered by a combination of workers compensation insurance and employer paid travel medical plans (when working outside of Canada) which provides coverage for medical care, disability pay and medically necessary transportation costs.
• RRSP : Leaders are eligible to participate in our Canadian Retirement Savings Plan. This is a subsidy to your own individual retirement savings plan. Backroads currently matches 20% (on up to 15% of your total salary). Backroads will apply a five-year vesting period of 20% per year from date of hire. To receive a matching contribution, you must present a receipt for your retirement plan contribution by April 30th of the following year (e.g., 2022 RRSP contribution receipts must be received by the People and Culture department by April 30, 2023 and 2023 receipts by April 30, 2024).

Leaders employed by our French subsidiary also enjoy these benefits:

• Medical Benefits : Leaders under the European hub benefit from either the national health plan from their country of residency, or from the French health plan depending on which country is in charge of their coverage (this will be determined by the country of residence). European health plans usually cover part or the entire cost of the cares, as well as financial compensation during sick leave. 
• Holiday Pay : Time worked on French holidays is paid time and a half. Time worked on May 1 (Labor Day) is paid double. 
• Vacation Pay : Vacation pay for European leaders is included in the paycheck and paid out at the end of each month worked. The amount of vacation pay is equal to 10% of the total gross pay leaders make during the month. 
• European leaders also qualify for French government approved retirement and unemployment plans covered by Klesia and Pole Emploi.
• An additional 10% of your total gross season income will be paid at the end of your contract/season.

Discover Your Next Adventure

By sharing your email address, you agree to the practices described in our  Privacy Policy .