Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers salary by state
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers is a professional role within the function in the Protective Service job family.
What Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workerss do
Typical education: Less than a High School Diploma
Patrol or monitor recreational areas, such as trails, slopes, or swimming areas, on foot, in vehicles, or from towers.
Rescue distressed persons, using rescue techniques and equipment.
Contact emergency medical personnel in case of serious injury.
Examine injured persons and administer first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, if necessary, using training and medical supplies and equipment.
Warn recreational participants of inclement weather, unsafe areas, or illegal conduct.
Top skills:MonitoringSpeakingSocial PerceptivenessService OrientationLearning StrategiesActive Listening
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers pay by experience level
Entry level$26,500
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$30,000
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$35,000
Mid-career median pay
Senior$39,000
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$45,500
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+5.8%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
42,700
projected openings per year
Growing about as fast as average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers salary by industry
Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Schools and Hospitals and USPS
56,730 workers
$38,000
Amusement, Gambling, and Recreation Industries
55,890 workers
$34,500
Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
54,100 workers
$37,500
Other Amusement and Recreation Industries
41,950 workers
$33,500
Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations
20,220 workers
$32,500
Civic and Social Organizations
18,740 workers
$32,500
Amusement Parks and Arcades
13,890 workers
$37,500
Educational Services
8,560 workers
$35,500
Accommodation
6,470 workers
$37,000
Traveler Accommodation
6,120 workers
$37,000
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers pays 50% below the average across 28 roles in the Protective Service job family (family average $70,500).
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers make?
The average base salary for a Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers in the United States is $35,500 per year, or about $17.07 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $30,000 and $39,000 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Protective Service roles?
The Protective Service job family averages $70,500 across 28 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role? WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
