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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
New Mexico Median
$28,590
per year
Hourly Rate
$13.75
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-15% vs US median
US median $33,580
State Rank
#36 of 51
760 employed here

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

Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers in New Mexico take home a median of $28,590 annually — roughly $13.75 an hour — which runs 15% below the national median of $33,580.

Within New Mexico, entry-level pay starts around $27,260 while the top 10% make $37,960 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $28,240 and $32,360 a year.

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

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$27,260$13.11
25th percentile (early career)$28,240$13.58
50th percentile (median)$28,590$13.75
75th percentile (experienced)$32,360$15.56
90th percentile (top earners)$37,960$18.25

How New Mexico compares

New Mexico ranks 36th 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 New Mexico

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 New Mexico pay ($28,590) 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 New Mexico?
The median Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers salary in New Mexico is $28,590 per year, or about $13.75 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $27,260 at the entry level to $37,960 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New Mexico pay compare to the national average?
New Mexico pays Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers about 15% less than the national median of $33,580. New Mexico ranks 36th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New Mexico a good state for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $28,590 a year. About 760 Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers are employed in New Mexico. 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 New Mexico?
The highest-paying occupations in New Mexico include Emergency Medicine Physician ($405,130), Anesthesiologist ($393,970), Surgeon, All Other ($363,940), 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.