California Median
$42,720
per year
Hourly Rate
$20.54
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+27% vs US median
US median $33,580
State Rank
#3 of 51
22,620 employed here
How much do Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers make in California?
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers in California take home a median of $42,720 annually — roughly $20.54 an hour — which runs 27% above the national median of $33,580.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $34,620 while the top 10% make $58,710 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $37,320 and $44,960 a year.
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,620 | $16.64 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $37,320 | $17.94 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $42,720 | $20.54 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $44,960 | $21.62 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,710 | $28.23 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 3rd out of 51 states and territories for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers salary in other states
District of Columbia $60,400Hawaii $52,630Washington $37,770Montana $37,750Massachusetts $36,650New York $36,590Vermont $36,030Connecticut $35,960Rhode Island $35,770Colorado $35,640Arizona $35,380Florida $35,040Oregon $35,030New Jersey $34,760Alaska $34,540Maryland $34,520Maine $34,320Illinois $33,710New Hampshire $32,100Delaware $31,930Minnesota $31,870South Dakota $30,990Georgia $30,880Nevada $30,830Virginia $30,070Michigan $29,760Pennsylvania $29,480Texas $29,450Missouri $29,260Nebraska $29,100Wyoming $29,030Idaho $28,770Utah $28,720Indiana $28,640New Mexico $28,590Wisconsin $28,570Kentucky $28,520North Dakota $28,430Tennessee $28,200Alabama $28,130Ohio $27,770North Carolina $27,310Kansas $27,220Arkansas $27,000South Carolina $26,210Iowa $25,460Oklahoma $25,250West Virginia $24,670Mississippi $24,440Louisiana $22,240
Working as Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers in California
Nationally, about 158,000 people work as Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($42,720) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers make in California?
The median Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers salary in California is $42,720 per year, or about $20.54 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $34,620 at the entry level to $58,710 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers about 27% more than the national median of $33,580. California ranks 3rd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $42,720 a year. About 22,620 Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.