New Wild Jobs Every MondayNew Jobs Every MondayGet the Free Digest

Dude Ranch Jobs

18 open listings · updated Sep 13, 2026

Median posted pay $16/hr (11 listings) · 78% include housing · Pay report

Dude ranch jobs are seasonal hospitality and horse positions at guest ranches: wranglers, kids’ counselors, cooks and kitchen staff, housekeeping, dining room servers, maintenance, front office and fly fishing guides. Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and Arizona have the most guest ranches, and most summer seasons run from mid-May through late September or early October.

More About Dude Ranch Jobs

Guest ranches hire whole staffs at once, usually 20 to 60 people, and post openings from December through March. Many prefer staff who will stay for the full season, and some hire couples for cook and wrangler pairs.

Pay is a monthly wage, commonly $1,800 to $2,800 depending on the position, plus a share of pooled tips that adds $500 to $1,000 per month at busy ranches. Staff housing, usually a bunkhouse or shared cabin, and three meals a day are included. Riding privileges, use of ranch gear, and days off in the mountains are part of the deal.

Most dude ranch positions are entry-level. Wranglers need riding experience and first aid; cooks need kitchen experience; everyone else needs to be friendly, tidy and willing to work six days a week.

Questions About Dude Ranch Jobs

How many Dude Ranch jobs are open right now?

18 listings are live on WildWork as of September 13, 2026. 14 state their pay and 14 include housing.

What do Dude Ranch jobs pay?

The median posted rate is $16/hr across 11 current listings that state pay in that unit, with posted rates from $15.16/hr to $21/hr. These are advertised rates; tips, overtime and room and board are extra where the listing says so.

Do Dude Ranch jobs come with housing?

78% of current listings say the employer provides housing, free or at a charge, and 56% include meals. Each listing shows whether housing is included and what it costs when the employer says.

What jobs are there at a dude ranch?

Wrangler, kids’ counselor, cook and kitchen assistant, housekeeping, dining room server, maintenance and grounds, front office, and at ranches with fishing programs, fly fishing guide. Larger ranches also hire a head wrangler, a chef and an activities director.

How much do dude ranch jobs pay?

A monthly wage of $1,800 to $2,800 is typical, and pooled tips at a full ranch in July and August add $500 to $1,000 per month. Because housing and meals are covered, most staff bank nearly the entire wage. A full season is commonly $10,000 to $16,000 saved.

When should I apply for a dude ranch job?

December through February. Ranches fill wrangler and kitchen spots first and are often fully staffed by the end of March. Housekeeping, dining and maintenance openings appear again in May and June when hires fall through.

New wild jobs every Monday.

Free. One email every Monday with every new listing. Unsubscribe any time.