Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers Salary
Protective Service Occupations · 158K employed in the U.S.
Median annual
$33,580
Median hourly
$16
Average annual
$34,470
Typical range
$25,780–$43,970
Pay distribution
10th to 90th percentile, with the median marked.
What this role pays
The median annual salary for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers is $33,580 as of May 2025, based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey. That works out to about $16 an hour at a full-time schedule.
Monitor recreational areas, such as pools, beaches, or ski slopes, to provide assistance and protection to participants..
Most earn between $25,780 and $43,970 a year. There are roughly 158K people employed as lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers in the United States. Use the state and metro pages below to see how pay changes by location, and the calculator to convert any hourly or annual figure.
Salary calculator
Convert your pay and see where it lands for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers.
- Hourly
- $16.14
- Daily
- $129
- Weekly
- $646
- Bi-weekly
- $1,292
- Monthly
- $2,798
- Annual
- $33,580
$33,580 a year is around the 50th percentile for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workerss. The median is $33,580.
Highest-paying states
Median annual wage by state.
- 1District of Columbia$60,400
- 2Hawaii$52,630
- 3California$42,720
- 4Washington$37,770
- 5Montana$37,750
- 6Massachusetts$36,650
- 7New York$36,590
- 8Vermont$36,030
- 9Connecticut$35,960
- 10Rhode Island$35,770
- 11Colorado$35,640
- 12Arizona$35,380
Top-paying metro areas
Median annual wage by metro area.
- 1Kahului-Wailuku, HI$64,030
- 2Urban Honolulu, HI$49,730
- 3Bozeman, MT$44,610
- 4Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$43,800
- 5Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX$43,260
- 6San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA$43,050
- 7San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$42,460
- 8Ann Arbor, MI$42,330
- 9Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL$41,310
- 10Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA$39,970
- 11Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA$39,580
- 12Traverse City, MI$39,270
Related job titles
Employers advertise Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers roles under these titles.
Related occupations
- Firefighters$59,280
- Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians$35,450
- Emergency Medical Technicians$44,470
- Security Guards$38,020
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialists$90,150
- Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists$56,870
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers$93,530
- Paramedics$60,600
What a Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers does
- Patrol or monitor recreational areas, such as trails, slopes, or swimming areas, on foot, in vehicles, or from towers.
- Rescue distressed persons, using rescue techniques and equipment.
- Examine injured persons and administer first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, if necessary, using training and medical supplies and equipment.
- Warn recreational participants of inclement weather, unsafe areas, or illegal conduct.
- Maintain quality of pool water by testing chemical levels.
- Complete and maintain records of weather and beach conditions, emergency medical treatments performed, and other relevant incident information.
- Contact emergency medical personnel in case of serious injury.
- Instruct participants in skiing, swimming, or other recreational activities and provide safety precaution information.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers make?
- The median annual wage for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers is $33,580 ($16 per hour). Pay ranges from about $25,780 at the 10th percentile to $43,970 at the 90th percentile.
- What is the average salary for a Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers?
- The average (mean) annual salary is $34,470, which is higher than the median because a small number of high earners pull the average up.
- Which state pays Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workerss the most?
- District of Columbia has the highest median annual wage for this occupation at $60,400.
- Is Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers a growing occupation?
- BLS employment data for May 2025 counts about 158K people in this occupation. Projected growth is published separately in the BLS Employment Projections program.
- What does a Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers do?
- Patrol or monitor recreational areas, such as trails, slopes, or swimming areas, on foot, in vehicles, or from towers.; Rescue distressed persons, using rescue techniques and equipment.; Examine injured persons and administer first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, if necessary, using training and medical supplies and equipment..