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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Iowa Median
$25,460
per year
Hourly Rate
$12.24
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-24% vs US median
US median $33,580
State Rank
#47 of 51
1,410 employed here

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

Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers working in Iowa earn a median salary of $25,460 per year, or about $12.24 per hour. That is 24% below the national median of $33,580 for this occupation.

Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $20,560 while the top 10% make $31,460 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $22,200 and $28,890 a year.

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

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$20,560$9.88
25th percentile (early career)$22,200$10.67
50th percentile (median)$25,460$12.24
75th percentile (experienced)$28,890$13.89
90th percentile (top earners)$31,460$15.13

How Iowa compares

Iowa ranks 47th 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 Iowa

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 Iowa pay ($25,460) 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 Iowa?
The median Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers salary in Iowa is $25,460 per year, or about $12.24 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $20,560 at the entry level to $31,460 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers about 24% less than the national median of $33,580. Iowa ranks 47th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $25,460 a year. About 1,410 Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers are employed in Iowa. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Iowa?
The highest-paying occupations in Iowa include Emergency Medicine Physician ($429,050), Dermatologist ($424,970), Radiologist ($405,220), 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.