Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers Salary in Illinois (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers in Illinois, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Illinois Median
$33,710
per year
Hourly Rate
$16.21
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+0% vs US median
US median $33,580
State Rank
#19 of 51
5,880 employed here

How much do Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers make in Illinois?

Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers in Illinois take home a median of $33,710 annually — roughly $16.21 an hour — which runs 0% above the national median of $33,580.

Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $31,200 while the top 10% make $37,050 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $31,200 and $35,250 a year.

Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers salary range in Illinois

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$31,200$15.00
25th percentile (early career)$31,200$15.00
50th percentile (median)$33,710$16.21
75th percentile (experienced)$35,250$16.95
90th percentile (top earners)$37,050$17.81

How Illinois compares

Illinois ranks 19th out of 51 states and territories for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1District of Columbia$60,400
2Hawaii$52,630
3California$42,720
4Washington$37,770
5Montana$37,750

Working as Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers in Illinois

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 Illinois pay ($33,710) 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 Illinois?
The median Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers salary in Illinois is $33,710 per year, or about $16.21 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $31,200 at the entry level to $37,050 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers about 0% more than the national median of $33,580. Illinois ranks 19th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $33,710 a year. About 5,880 Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers are employed in Illinois. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), 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.