How much do Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers make?
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers earn a median annual salary of $33,580 in the United States, which works out to roughly $16.14 per hour for full-time work. Most earn between $25,780 at the entry level and $43,970 at the senior end, with the middle 50% taking home between $28,880 and $37,520 a year.
That is $27,810 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers salary range by percentile
Half of all Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers earn between $28,880 and $37,520 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $25,780 | $12.39 | |
| 25th percentile (early career) | $28,880 | $13.88 | |
| 50th percentile (median) | $33,580 | $16.14 | |
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $37,520 | $18.04 | |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $43,970 | $21.14 |
Highest-paying states for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. District of Columbia leads the country for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers pay at $60,400 a year, followed by Hawaii ($52,630) and California ($42,720). At the other end, Louisiana posts the lowest median at $22,240 — a gap of $38,160 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
| # | State | Median salary | Hourly | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $60,400 | $29.04 | +80% |
| 2 | Hawaii | $52,630 | $25.30 | +57% |
| 3 | California | $42,720 | $20.54 | +27% |
| 4 | Washington | $37,770 | $18.16 | +12% |
| 5 | Montana | $37,750 | $18.15 | +12% |
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 51 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Workforce and education
About 158,000 people work as Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers in the United States. On qualifications: a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
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Related salaries
Other protective service roles with similar pay.