Most tour guides are self-employed and work on contract, either by half day, day, week or month. These guides are only paid for the time they work. Many tour guides do not work all year round as guides.

According to professional tour guide body, Proguides, guides who run tours can earn anywhere from $120 to $380 a day, depending on the tour and whether they speak a language that is in demand.

Museum hosts and guides

A 2007 survey of museums showed most front of house staff, incuding tour guides or hosts, were paid between $20,000 and $39,999 a year. Most of the remainder received between $40,000 and $59,999.

Source: The New Zealand Tourism Research Institute, Auckland University of Technology, 'New Zealand Museums Barometer No 2: 2007'.

Museums Aotearoa website - New Zealand Museums Barometer No 2 (PDF - 1.67MB)

Tour guides can go on to work as trainers and/or workplace assessors of other guides.

They can also move into working in marketing attractions, putting together tour packages, or may become managers or owners of tourism businesses.