The average salary for a tour guide in New Orleans, LA is $39.24 per hour, with an average hourly pay of $16.89 per hour. As of August 11, 2024, the average tour guide salary in New Orleans was $65,097 per year. However, the salary range typically falls between $37,440 per year or $18 per hour. Entry-level positions start at $31,200 per year, while most experienced workers make up the majority.
As of February 26, 2024, an Admissions Tour Guide in New Orleans earned an average salary of $22.55 per hour. The average US Ghost Adventures Tour Guide hourly pay in New Orleans is approximately $51.63, which is 137 above the national average. The average tour guide salary in New Orleans is $37,440 per year or $18 per hour. Entry-level positions start at $31,200 per year, while most experienced workers make up the majority.
The estimated total pay for a tour guide in the New Orleans area is US$65,099 per year, with an average salary of US$42,627. Tour and Travel Guides with 10 or more years of experience make an average of $35,880. In their late career (over 20 years of experience), a person in a tour guide position makes an average of $35,880.
Based on our data, the optimal compensation range for a tour guide at City Sightseeing New Orleans is between $42,925 and $54,693, with an hourly rate of $3. The fee paid for booking service is purely for the booking service, and the tour is paid what the tour is worth after the tour is completed.
Legendary Walking Tours is looking for energetic tour guides to join their team.
📹 Visit New Orleans – The Don’ts of Visiting New Orleans
New Orleans, The Big Easy is one of the best tourist destinations in the USA. From the historic architecture in the French Quarter, …
How much do ghost tour guides make in New Orleans?
US Ghost Adventures Tour Guides in New Orleans earn an average hourly pay of $51. 63, which is 137 above the national average. This information is based on 32 data points from employees, users, and job advertisements on Indeed in the past 36 months. The figures are approximations and are provided for general comparison only. Minimum wage may vary by jurisdiction, and employers should be consulted for actual salary figures.
What are the disadvantages of being a tour guide?
Freelance tour guides offer various benefits such as flexibility in work hours, exposure to diverse groups and cultures, and potential for higher income through various gigs. However, they also face drawbacks such as lack of job security, variable income based on seasons or demand, and the responsibility for personal marketing and client acquisition. They must also manage administrative tasks and may face competition in popular tourist areas.
The benefits of freelance tour guides include flexibility, variety, independence, and networking opportunities. However, they also face drawbacks such as instability in income and job security, lack of benefits like health insurance, paid leave, or retirement plans, self-management, and competition.
Despite these challenges, freelance tour guides can enrich their professional repertoire by exploring different destinations and types of tourism. However, they also face challenges such as financial instability, fixed benefits, managing multiple contracts, and the responsibility for self-promotion and personal marketing.
What is the age cut off for Topdeck?
Topdeckers are sociable, open-minded individuals aged 18-39 with different interests and travel goals. They offer various trip styles to match travelers with the perfect adventure. Many Topdeckers are solo travelers, with over 50 starting and finishing the trip with mates for life. They also match travelers with roommates of the same sex. For night rides, Play and Pause and Delve Deep trips offer single room upgrades. Customers can consult their Customer Service team to find the best trip for their needs.
How much should a tour guide charge?
In Europe, independent businesspeople like Alex offer half-day tours with private guides, typically costing $100-300. They don’t charge per person, making hiring them less expensive if you split the cost with fellow travelers. Guides tend to charge the most in big, touristy cities and less as you go farther east. In places like Prague and Kraków, per-hour guides average $40. Guides who grew up behind the Iron Curtain often have fascinating personal stories to share about life in the past.
For example, a Czech guide shared how they collected cans from tourists threw away, bringing a richness to their trips and making them memorable long after the trip. Group walking tours or sightseeing buses can provide similar local information for less.
How much should you pay a tour guide?
The gratuity rate for guides should be around 10-20% of the total trip cost, with an appropriate tip for a guide between $50 and $100. If you’re paying $500 for a day or two of guided rock climbing, it’s important to tip even on pricey trips. Canadian guide Holly Walker suggests factoring in a 10-20% tip based on the total trip price into your initial budget to reduce the shock factor. For example, for a $5, 000 trip, you’d tip $500 to $1, 000 to be split among the guides. This helps to ensure a smoother and more enjoyable experience for all involved.
How much do Grand Canyon tour guides make?
According to the most recent data available, as of August 13, 2024, the average hourly wage for a tour guide in Grand Canyon, Arizona is $17. 64.
Where do tour guides make the most money?
The cities in the United States with the highest average salaries for tour guides are Baltimore, Maryland; Memphis, Tennessee; Charleston, South Carolina; Savannah, Georgia; and Chicago, Illinois.
Can you make a living as a Tour Guide?
Tour guides are compensated up to $242, 500 annually for their services, which include providing assistance, monitoring crowds, and disseminating information. Some possess considerable expertise in particular fields, such as history or ecology.
Is it hard to be a tour guide?
Tour guides face challenges such as long hours, demanding guests, and the need to work in peak season heat. However, the job offers numerous benefits, such as serving others, making new connections, and getting involved in the community. The best tour guides have a heart for serving others and strive to advance in the tourism industry by researching and learning to be a successful guide. Being organized, punctual, and dependable are essential qualities of an effective tour guide, as they ensure smooth check-in and check-out processes for guests. These qualities make them a valuable asset to any tour company.
Where is the best place to be a tour guide?
The Walt Disney Company ranks tour guides in various states based on average salaries, benefits, and opportunities. Alaska is the best state for tour guides, with Anchorage earning the most. The median salary for Alaska tour guides is $40, 533, compared to $25, 542 in Minnesota. The Midwest is the best state for tour guides, while the West ranks worst. San Francisco, CA is the best city for tour guide jobs, while Alaska is the best state in the country. The median salary for tour guides in Alaska is $40, 533, while the median salary in Minnesota is $25, 542. The location plays a significant role in determining the success of a tour guide career.
How much does a tour guide at the US Capitol make?
The average annual salary for a Tour Guide at the United States Capitol in Washington, DC is $49K-$91K, including base salary and additional pay. The “Most Likely Range” reflects values within the 25th and 75th percentile of all pay data available for this role. Glassdoor’s proprietary machine learning model uses user and government data to make pay predictions. Your input helps refine these estimates over time.
📹 New Orleans Tourist Traps and Things to Avoid
Andrew details the top things that you either should avoid or be wary of, be it spending your whole trip in the French Quarter, …
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My best advice to folks visiting New Orleans is to look like you go here. If you’re walkin around in an ‘I heart NOLA’ t-shirt wearing a giant camera, sunvisor, and fanny pack while carrying a French Quarter map and looking confused, every conman from here to Baton Rouge is gonna light on you like flies on a hog.
Grew up in New Orleans and this is a great article. Couple years ago I was waiting outside Port Of Call for a table and for the first time ever a dude came up with “I bet you I can tell ya where you got dem shoes!” “I got em on my feet in front of Port Of Call in New Orleans.” He threw up his hands……”Oh man…..you from here!” and he rode away on his bike. LOL
My sister went to New Orleans with my brother in law a few years back, she apparently booked accommodation in a shady area and her taxi driver was like ” are you sure, you wanna stay here ?, let me see if I can get you better service ” then proceeded to fix them up witha better city experience, she had a blast after that,
My fiancée and I just took the Bayou St. John walking tour and it was the best excursion we’ve had in the city! Andrew was nice, knowledgeable, and a real native of the neighborhood, getting approached by a number of people who seemed to know him from around town. When we asked for tips and recommendations, he was genuine, honest, and definitely trying only to offer the best that New Orleans has to offer. Even in the blazing heat, he was mindful of the group’s comfort level and would find shady spots to stop and talk. I would definitely urge anyone looking for a trip off the beaten path in New Orleans to make this a priority.
Andrew, you’re the best! I would like to add to the scams and cons – BEADS! If you are approached on the street by anyone wanting to put beads around your neck, you should know that those beads are literally picked up off the dirty streets and from the wet gutters when the Bourbon Street crowds finally disperse in the early morning hours. I cringe so much when I see unsuspecting tourists in this situation. Ick!
I am a native. Born and raised in New Orleans. I can tell everyone that watches this website that what is given to you and this article is absolutely right on. You will find whatever you experience in other cities as a tourist is completely different in New Orleans. I highly recommend this informative website to anyone visiting the city I am so proud of.
It’s best to go when it’s not overcrowded. My husband and I went to Mardi gras and some guy patted me down from my waist to my calf’s trying to pick my pockets. He disappeared in the crowd before I knew what was happening and before I could tell my husband. He didn’t get anything because my husband was holding the money…..lol
Being from the greater Baton Rouge area, I got to grow up with the advantage of a day trip to New Orleans being something fun and different, but also the knowledge to not fall for any of these. “Where you got those shoes? I bet I can tell you where you got them?”. “Bruh…I may look like a tourist, but I know how to pronounce Tchoupitoulas Street, I’m not the mark you’re looking for”, lol!
I appreciate how diplomatic you are by not tearing down the touristy stuff and acknowledging it has its place but giving much more authentic experiences that aren’t as well known. I HAD to get a hand grenade and some Krystal on Bourbon our first night and get that out of my system 😅 but the rest of the trip we had a fantastic time on walking tours and talking to folks and eating all the wonderful foods! Loved the experience.
My wife and I have been visiting New Orleans on a regular basis since 2009. We did the French Quarter thing for the first couple of years, but soon learned that there is much more to the city than the French Quarter. We stay at a timeshare on St. Charles Avenue and we purchased our own bicycles to tour the city. There is so much to see! We also discovered that the better restaurants are outside the French Quarter (with the exception of the high-end restaurants such as Muriel’s, Brennan’s, etc.).
The walking tour is nice, just be aware of the heat and humidity. We found a NOLA tour walking to an old cemetery through the French quarter. It was very hot that day and our group dwindled down for 25 to 5 at the end. Our guide was a trouper and did not miss a beat. We asked questions and he was happy to chat and point out things. At the end I was sad to see the last few people wander off leaving only me and another person (both our spouses had taken to AC to cool off half way through. I was disappointed my wife had most of my cash and was no longer with US, so I gave up my lunch money. The tour we took was over an hour and the poor guy only made $25. So i did the best thing i could giving him reviews. I commend you doing a pay what you can tour. I wish you all the best. These walking tours are the best.
I have a special connection to New Orleans because my grandfather is from there. Although I never met him I always heard the stories of how good he could cook. He moved to Chicago and met my grandmother and I enjoyed the story she will tell me about my grandfather. My first visit to New Orleans was in 2013. I feel like I was websiteing my grandfather and I instantly fell in love with the city. A lot of the locals would tell me stories of Katrina, like it was yesterday. I fell in love with the diversity and architecture of the city. The trees the Southern Accents New Orleans is a very special place you can feel the Soul and Spirit of the city in your heart. I will be booking my hotel room tomorrow to return in September. Thank you for your article I am so excited to return.
We just got back from NOLA (05/10/2022-05/14/2022)….and it is not the same anymore. most of the art shops were gone…..and shops had graffiti all over the doors that were out of business. There were resterants that were closed during normal hours 11-12…..lunch anyone? The Market had 5 stands everyone else was just gone……..Also we found that no one really cared about any kind of service….people always looked pissed that you walked in to get food……then they were super nice when it was time for a tip. Oceana’s all of us got food poisoning….manager said ” Well I didn’t see you get sick so it didn’t happened” Pier 424 one night was great…the other was a hot mess. I know that people say let the good times roll…..But dam….
I visited NOLA 2 years ago and loved the experience! Ive always wanted to come here and it finally happened. Researched ahead of time what I wanted to do and some places to eat. I met a lot of friendly people and had some great meals. Of course, my main draw was perusal my team, the Saints, play the Eagles in the playoffs which we won! I can’t wait to go back to see things I missed the 1st time.
We stayed at an upscale hotel in the Quarter and the consierge was useless. he said that reservations etc were all on line now. and was no real assistance. We relied on the maids and the bellmen and did quite well. We took the ferry ride to Algiers. Slow and different. Nothing spectacular but the single owner houses, neighboorhoods, ancient trees and flower gardens they tended with love were fun to walk down.
If you want 5 Star dining experience without the 5 Star price. Eating at The Pelican Club is a must!!! The food & atmosphere is phenomenal plus you can buy the artwork lining the walls. It is displayed by the restaurant for blooming unknown artists and the art changes almost daily because it is quality.
Good tips. We came down for the French Quarter Festival several years ago. Lots of great free music. We did a walking tour that I thought was great. It ended up being a personal tour because the other people didn’t show up but the guide still took us around. We did all public transit. We took a swamp tour. My wife does a really good job of planning things out for our vacations before we leave home. She found some really great food by sifting through reviews for hours. She also happened to be in New Orleans on business just after 9/11. That was a weird time.
You should have touched on visiting graveyards, they are fun but can be very dangerous too if not with a guided tour. I remember walking into one and a crazy looking dude popped up. I was reaching for my knife but he turned out to be a guide lol. He warned us not do wander into these alone but we got lucky
My husband and I once visited New Orleans so that I could attend a fitness conference. We also had a friend of a friend who was a local. We had a blast. Our friend took us to a fab restaurant near St. Jackson Square, we thoroughly loved listening to the band at Preservation Hall, we indulged in frozen daqueris on those humid nights, explored the Charles District by trolley and on foot, went on a free riverboat cruise, courtesy of the fitness conference sponsors, and created our own walking tours where we made up stories…to the utter confusion of my Swiss fitness colleague! But the most fun was dancing the two-step at Tipitina’s fai do do on a sweltering Sunday afternoon. I’ll never forget what a great time we had, and the locals were more than eager to teach us the two-step.
My wife and I just came back from New Orleans. It was awesome and we are talking about going back. So if we do I will definitely take your walking tour. Everyone was so very nice and went beyond to help us out. I have mobility issues and use a scooter. New Orleans welcomed us and helped us to have a grand time.
I use to go to NOLA semi-regularly. I really miss going to the French Market (& seeing Oscar and his pins and art is ALWAYS a must for me). I love Cafe DU Monde and the little eateries along the way of wherever I decide to roam. The street performers are almost always fabulous. A ride on the street cars is also a must in my opinion.
I just left this city. Enjoyed French Quarters. JAZZ, JAZZFEST, HOP ON HOP OFF CITY TOUR BUS oh I loooved it here!!! I cried when I had to leave. I stayed at the dauphine Orleans hotel. But yes you are right about the souvenirs. I still loved it and even had a goooood reading from a madam. I so wanna go back so bad!
We have taken many Free Tours by Foot all across the country. My family loves them. I have enjoyed each and every one of them until our last one in April in the French Quarter. I did not care for the guide as her attitude towards me with my camera was very aggressive. This happened while we were waiting for some stragglers to arrive before the start of the tour. I couldn’t have cared less about her tour after that. Answers to others questions were very snarky. Remember to tip the guide what you feel is appropriate. They should provide a fun entertaining, informative tour. Again we love these tours and I won’t let one sour guide stop me from going on more in the future. I enjoy your articles Andrew. Thanks
This is the best discussion I have ever heard about visiting New Orleans. New Orleans has become a cartoon of itself. It is so different from what it used to be that you need to consider what he said to keep from becoming just another character in the cartoon. One example: Carnival can still be fun. Fat Tuesday is just a mess.
After our 1st (not-so-great) visit to New Orleans in 2018, we recently returned & had a wonderful time. We now have 2 favorite restaurants & we even found a great coffee spot. We’re looking forward to a return visit. Thank you for offering this great overview of the city. We’ll be sure to look you up on our next trip.
I’ve visited New Orleans 3 times and am looking forward to visiting again. This was a really good article based on what I experienced on my visits. Luckily, I traveled with someone who had been to New Orleans before so I avoided some mistakes you mentioned, but I recommend this article to anyone traveling there for the first time.
Well I am one of the people here who Loves going to Bourbon Street on Saturday night for a few hours…..the fun and excitement are great, I love to people watch and see people really enjoying their time here…and yes, walk a block over to Royal Street to take a little break if you want to, you can walk anywhere with your drink as long as it is in those plastic cups…and the fried chicken at Willie’s Chicken Shack is really good. You can find them all over. Its awesome late night food.
I found pedicaps very helpful during my visits to New Orleans. While I walked as much as I could, I did get tired. The pedicabs were there and they got me where I needed to go. I had some good conversations with the drivers. I did not expect historical information from them. This was a few years ago and the rates were cheaper than a cab (not around when I needed one anyway). BTW, I did use cabs to travel between Amtrak Station and hotels. And to go from hotel to a tourist site. Especially on my first visit.
I was born/raised in New Orleans, LA and from working for the City of New Orleans, the City gets most of their funds from tourists, especially illegal parking tourists and tourist who gets drunk in the French Market. So please folks, if you come to visit, be responsible. Think responsible. You can’t urinate anywhere at anytime.
I have been there (not on purpose) for St. Josephs Day a few times which has provided a pretty good ‘parade experience’. As an aside, I have been visiting New Orleans for somewhere around 30 years and I find something new every time I visit. By the same token, I seldom spend anytime on Bourbon St. and little time in the Quarter, unless I am going to Felix’s or Cafe Beignet.
Hi I’m one of the hotel concierges you’ve mentioned and even though I do make commission I PINKY PROMISE I’m telling the truth to people. I’m extremely against misrepresenting anything to people. Like I don’t like plantation tours, I’m not gonna sell one to people unless they specifically ask. Selling tours is only a very small part of my job, I’m mostly there to give people my honest opinions about things!! I spend the majority of my time giving directions and recommending restaurants and telling people the places I like to hang out and what I think is fun. Plus since I am affiliated with a company I’ve actually been able to take all the tours. Pls don’t think we don’t have your best interests in mind.
My wife is from Kenner so we stay with family. And after 20 years I think I’ve got it down and laugh at the rookies at Mardi Gras. I’ve got my favorite spots in the Quarter and around it and also lots of hangouts in Metairie. Her family avoids the French Quarter like the plague and I haven’t been on Bourbon Street in years. I pissed a carriage driver off one time because I started laughing about all the bullcrap he was saying. As far as Mardi Gras we watch neighborhood parades and usually go to Canal Street on Lundi Gras and leave on Fat Tuesday. But this guy is spot on with his analysis for those not familiar with the town. It pays to know before you go.