South Dakota Median
$30,990
per year
Hourly Rate
$14.90
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-8% vs US median
US median $33,580
State Rank
#23 of 51
490 employed here
How much do Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers make in South Dakota?
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers in South Dakota take home a median of $30,990 annually — roughly $14.90 an hour — which runs 8% below the national median of $33,580.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $26,760 while the top 10% make $35,610 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $28,230 and $34,010 a year.
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,760 | $12.87 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $28,230 | $13.57 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $30,990 | $14.90 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $34,010 | $16.35 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $35,610 | $17.12 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 23rd out of 51 states and territories for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers salary in other states
District of Columbia $60,400Hawaii $52,630California $42,720Washington $37,770Montana $37,750Massachusetts $36,650New York $36,590Vermont $36,030Connecticut $35,960Rhode Island $35,770Colorado $35,640Arizona $35,380Florida $35,040Oregon $35,030New Jersey $34,760Alaska $34,540Maryland $34,520Maine $34,320Illinois $33,710New Hampshire $32,100Delaware $31,930Minnesota $31,870Georgia $30,880Nevada $30,830Virginia $30,070Michigan $29,760Pennsylvania $29,480Texas $29,450Missouri $29,260Nebraska $29,100Wyoming $29,030Idaho $28,770Utah $28,720Indiana $28,640New Mexico $28,590Wisconsin $28,570Kentucky $28,520North Dakota $28,430Tennessee $28,200Alabama $28,130Ohio $27,770North Carolina $27,310Kansas $27,220Arkansas $27,000South Carolina $26,210Iowa $25,460Oklahoma $25,250West Virginia $24,670Mississippi $24,440Louisiana $22,240
Working as Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers in South Dakota
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 Dakota pay ($30,990) 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 Dakota?
The median Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers salary in South Dakota is $30,990 per year, or about $14.90 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $26,760 at the entry level to $35,610 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers about 8% less than the national median of $33,580. South Dakota ranks 23rd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $30,990 a year. About 490 Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers are employed in South Dakota. 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 Dakota?
The highest-paying occupations in South Dakota include Radiologist ($586,010), Emergency Medicine Physician ($393,870), Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($297,610), 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.