High-Altitude Mountaineering Guide (IFMGA)

Median salary, education path, job outlook, and related careers — based on U.S. labor data.

What a High-Altitude Mountaineering Guide (IFMGA) does

Holds the International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations certification and leads clients on technical ascents of peaks above 8,000 meters, managing altitude physiology, weather, and technical climbing hazards.

Education & path

The typical entry point is a associate degree. About 2 years.

Estimated cost of that path: ~$7,500. Estimated payback: ~1 year. Estimates only — actual cost varies widely by school and financial aid; payback assumes ~20% of income applied.

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