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 Docent Fees for Group Tours

Nicole Markham's profile image
Nicole Markham posted 11-14-2025 01:03 PM

We are reviewing our guided tour policies, procedures, and rates for 2026. At present, we have a flat docent fee of $50 for a guided tour (10 or more people). As a large number of our guided tour groups are youth (ages 12 and under) groups (YAY!!!!) who are admitted free of charge, we are losing revenue because our docents are part-time employees. Though we are succeeding in meeting a strategic initiative to increase the number of youth interacting with the museum, we also need to remain fiscally responsible. The issue is exacerbated with large groups (most of our school field trips), as we often have to bring in multiple docents. 

It has been suggested that, as we work on the FY2026 budget, we double our docent fees. I feel a 100% increase is a very substantial hike and would be a deterrent to the groups we want to cater to. But our docent fees have been the same for the past 10, maybe 15 years, so perhaps a $100 additional fee (on top of the discounted group rate) is not out of line? [For the record, discounted group rates per person are $15/adult; $5/student; and $0/youth.]

So, I am curious, what is the average docent fee for a guided tour? Is it a flat docent fee, and if so, what is the amount? Or is it a per-person fee? If so, what is the amount?

As always, thanks in advance for any and all advice!

Nicole

John Wharton's profile image
John Wharton posted 11-17-2025 06:34 AM

Nicole-

At the Revs Institute automotive museum in Naples FL, we just raised our tour pricing to these levels:

Tour Pricing

  • Collection Tour w/ Workshop (2 hours): $45 per person
  • Highlights Tour (1 hour): $35 per person
  • Specialty Topic Tour (1 hour): $40 per person
  • Private Access Group Tours (days closed to public): $50 per person / $1000 minimum (from $35/per, $700 min.)

General Admission

  • Increased to $25 (from $20)
  • $5 discount extended to students, educators, and military/veterans
  • Children 4 and under: Free

All of our tours are done by volunteer docents. All of our gallery attendants are volunteers as well.

-John Wharton

Joanna Case's profile image
Joanna Case posted 11-17-2025 08:37 AM

Hi Nicole,

We have group rates for both self-guided and guided, and our interpreters are all paid. 

  • Guided adult tour (2 hours then unlimited time to free-roam the site after): $20/person with a note that additional guide fees may apply 
  • Self-guided adult tour: $18/person
  • School/camper guided tour (90min): $8/student or camper with classroom teachers, group leaders, or paraprofessionals free. Additional chaperones are $15
  • School/camper self-guided tour: $5/student or camper with classroom teachers, group leaders, or paraprofessionals free. Additional chaperones are $15

We require a reservation for adult groups with 15 or more people and for all school/camp groups.  Our general admission is $20 for adults, $18 for seniors, $8 for youth, and kids 12 and under are free.

I am not in the education department and can’t get too technical with answering other questions, but it does seem very reasonable to me to (especially if you’re going to keep the flat rate) be able to have something to allow you to charge more if the group number goes above a certain threshold. For example, a phrase like “if your group number exceeds [insert number], please note that an additional docent fee may apply.”

Jason Aikens's profile image
Jason Aikens posted 11-17-2025 12:54 PM

Hi Nichole,

At the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the price for a docent tour is $15 for non-members and $10 for members. I hope that information is of value. 

All the best, 

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