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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Kentucky Median
$28,520
per year
Hourly Rate
$13.71
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-15% vs US median
US median $33,580
State Rank
#38 of 51
1,820 employed here

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

Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers in Kentucky take home a median of $28,520 annually — roughly $13.71 an hour — which runs 15% below the national median of $33,580.

Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $20,280 while the top 10% make $33,250 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $22,190 and $30,620 a year.

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

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$20,280$9.75
25th percentile (early career)$22,190$10.67
50th percentile (median)$28,520$13.71
75th percentile (experienced)$30,620$14.72
90th percentile (top earners)$33,250$15.99

How Kentucky compares

Kentucky ranks 38th 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 Kentucky

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 Kentucky pay ($28,520) 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 Kentucky?
The median Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers salary in Kentucky is $28,520 per year, or about $13.71 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $20,280 at the entry level to $33,250 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers about 15% less than the national median of $33,580. Kentucky ranks 38th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $28,520 a year. About 1,820 Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers are employed in Kentucky. 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 Kentucky?
The highest-paying occupations in Kentucky include Cardiologist ($558,180), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($350,950), Anesthesiologist ($347,960), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers salary report

Related salaries

Parking Enforcement Worker

$46,730
median pay · 9,000 employed

School Bus Monitor

$35,100
median pay · 78,000 employed

Security Guard

$38,020
median pay · 1,283,000 employed

Crossing Guards and Flaggers

$38,100
median pay · 94,000 employed

Protective Service Worker, All Other

$42,540
median pay · 82,000 employed
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.