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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
South Carolina Median
$26,210
per year
Hourly Rate
$12.60
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-22% vs US median
US median $33,580
State Rank
#46 of 51
1,900 employed here

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

Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers in South Carolina take home a median of $26,210 annually — roughly $12.60 an hour — which runs 22% below the national median of $33,580.

Within South Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $20,470 while the top 10% make $35,430 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $21,360 and $33,170 a year.

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

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$20,470$9.84
25th percentile (early career)$21,360$10.27
50th percentile (median)$26,210$12.60
75th percentile (experienced)$33,170$15.95
90th percentile (top earners)$35,430$17.03

How South Carolina compares

South Carolina ranks 46th 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 South Carolina

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 South Carolina pay ($26,210) 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 South Carolina?
The median Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers salary in South Carolina is $26,210 per year, or about $12.60 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $20,470 at the entry level to $35,430 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Carolina pay compare to the national average?
South Carolina pays Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers about 22% less than the national median of $33,580. South Carolina ranks 46th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Carolina a good state for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $26,210 a year. About 1,900 Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers are employed in South Carolina. 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 South Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in South Carolina include General Internal Medicine Physician ($359,500), Neurologist ($352,680), Emergency Medicine Physician ($341,960), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

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

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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.