Also called: Cave Guide, Show Cave Interpreter
Leads visitors through caves, explaining stalactites, underground rivers, bats, and cave history.
At places like Mammoth Cave or Carlsbad Caverns, guides lead groups through miles of passages, turn off the lights for total darkness, and lead crawling "wild cave" tours.
High school diploma, about 0 years after high school. No degree; trained on the job; geology knowledge helps.
Ways in: On-the-job training. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Geology, Parks and Recreation.
Growing faster than average (about 5% over 10 years). BLS 2025-35 projection band for SOC 39-7011: Faster than average (5% to 6%).
Low risk for 10 years. Audio tours exist, but leading groups through miles of passage and keeping them safe underground stays a live guiding job.
Age 16+. One way to start: Apply to show caves near you for summer tour guide jobs; they teach you the tour
Classes: Earth Science, Public speaking, Biology, History.
Official data: O*NET occupation 39-7011.
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