Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers Salary
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers earn a median $33,580 a year nationally. Protective Service Occupations
U.S. median
$33,580
$16.14 per hour
Range
$25,780 – $43,970
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
157,550
across the U.S.
▼0.4%
Pay trend: The median for lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers in the U.S. fell from $33,720 (May 2024) to $33,580 (May 2025). That trailed inflation (2.4%), so buying power slipped about 2.8%.
What lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers do
Monitor recreational areas, such as pools, beaches, or ski slopes, to provide assistance and protection to participants.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +5.5% (faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 45,400
Employment of lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers is projected to grow 5.5% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 45,400 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$29,162
per year · effective tax rate 13.2%
$2,430Monthly
$1,215Twice a month
$1,122Every 2 weeks
$14.02Hourly
- Federal income tax$1,850
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,082
- Medicare (1.45%)$487
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$29,162
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $25,780 | $12.39 | $22,840 |
| 25th percentile | $28,880 | $13.88 | $25,385 |
| Median (50th) | $33,580 | $16.14 | $29,162 |
| 75th percentile | $37,520 | $18.04 | $32,327 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $43,970 | $21.14 | $37,510 |
Best cities for lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles, CA | $43,800 | $36,063 | $31,755 | 11,640 |
| 2 | San Diego, CA | $43,050 | $35,500 | $31,728 | 2,480 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $39,240 | $33,709 | $30,332 | 3,060 |
| 4 | Denver, CO | $36,620 | $30,701 | $29,023 | 2,820 |
| 5 | Phoenix, AZ | $34,830 | $29,504 | $28,557 | 2,380 |
| 6 | Miami, FL | $37,230 | $32,094 | $28,115 | 2,730 |
| 7 | Baltimore, MD | $34,080 | $28,308 | $27,092 | 2,550 |
| 8 | New York, NY | $36,600 | $30,209 | $26,837 | 9,610 |
| 9 | Chicago, IL | $33,750 | $27,772 | $26,809 | 4,960 |
| 10 | Washington, DC | $34,710 | $29,153 | $26,774 | 4,600 |
| 11 | Philadelphia, PA | $32,220 | $27,080 | $26,405 | 2,980 |
| 12 | Orlando, FL | $30,510 | $26,695 | $26,322 | 2,980 |
| 13 | Dallas, TX | $29,770 | $26,100 | $25,318 | 3,930 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Los Angeles, CA — $43,800
- San Diego, CA — $43,050
- Seattle, WA — $39,240
- Miami, FL — $37,230
- Denver, CO — $36,620
- New York, NY — $36,600
- Phoenix, AZ — $34,830
- Washington, DC — $34,710
- Baltimore, MD — $34,080
- Chicago, IL — $33,750
- Philadelphia, PA — $32,220
- Orlando, FL — $30,510
- Dallas, TX — $29,770
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $60,400 | +3.0% | $48,232 | $36,400 – $74,080 | 290 |
| Hawaii | $52,630 | −5.2% | $41,995 | $33,720 – $79,840 | 720 |
| California | $42,720 | +0.5% | $35,252 | $34,620 – $58,710 | 22,620 |
| Washington | $37,770 | −1.9% | $32,528 | $34,650 – $45,940 | 4,720 |
| Montana | $37,750 | +26.3% | $31,495 | $26,820 – $58,790 | 270 |
| Massachusetts | $36,650 | −0.5% | $30,016 | $32,830 – $42,290 | 2,640 |
| New York | $36,590 | +2.0% | $30,201 | $32,240 – $45,190 | 8,740 |
| Vermont | $36,030 | +0.5% | $30,357 | $30,150 – $42,140 | 310 |
| Connecticut | $35,960 | +2.5% | $30,381 | $34,010 – $39,740 | 1,510 |
| Rhode Island | $35,770 | −0.9% | $30,197 | $31,200 – $41,490 | 370 |
| Colorado | $35,640 | −1.8% | $29,957 | $31,870 – $43,280 | 5,430 |
| Arizona | $35,380 | +0.1% | $29,932 | $30,580 – $40,150 | 3,950 |
| Florida | $35,040 | +0.1% | $30,335 | $28,510 – $45,000 | 9,460 |
| Oregon | $35,030 | +0.2% | $28,091 | $30,560 – $42,530 | 1,860 |
| New Jersey | $34,760 | −1.4% | $29,589 | $32,220 – $42,860 | 5,460 |
| Alaska | $34,540 | −3.1% | $29,933 | $24,770 – $45,040 | 340 |
| Maryland | $34,520 | +1.9% | $28,641 | $31,200 – $40,550 | 4,160 |
| Maine | $34,320 | +2.0% | $28,557 | $31,080 – $45,460 | 340 |
| Illinois | $33,710 | +1.2% | $27,742 | $31,200 – $37,050 | 5,880 |
| New Hampshire | $32,100 | −6.6% | $27,972 | $27,970 – $45,770 | 280 |
| Delaware | $31,930 | +3.3% | $26,741 | $31,200 – $33,700 | 360 |
| Minnesota | $31,870 | −1.8% | $26,901 | $25,950 – $38,120 | 2,130 |
| South Dakota | $30,990 | +3.8% | $27,080 | $26,760 – $35,610 | 490 |
| Georgia | $30,880 | −2.0% | $26,012 | $24,420 – $38,480 | 2,840 |
| Nevada | $30,830 | −1.2% | $26,952 | $27,750 – $34,640 | 2,630 |
| Virginia | $30,070 | −4.9% | $25,426 | $26,790 – $37,450 | 8,920 |
| Michigan | $29,760 | +0.3% | $25,078 | $25,960 – $47,630 | 3,770 |
| Pennsylvania | $29,480 | −4.7% | $24,962 | $22,650 – $35,900 | 5,450 |
| Texas | $29,450 | +0.7% | $25,843 | $22,580 – $41,740 | 11,320 |
| Missouri | $29,260 | +0.2% | $25,253 | $28,600 – $33,960 | 3,100 |
| Nebraska | $29,100 | +5.6% | $25,070 | $28,080 – $34,820 | 1,250 |
| Wyoming | $29,030 | +5.3% | $25,506 | $19,820 – $46,830 | 500 |
| Idaho | $28,770 | −0.1% | $24,880 | $23,200 – $33,540 | 750 |
| Utah | $28,720 | +1.1% | $24,930 | $21,280 – $46,210 | 2,550 |
| Indiana | $28,640 | −1.2% | $24,377 | $22,690 – $33,280 | 3,290 |
| New Mexico | $28,590 | +0.1% | $24,846 | $27,260 – $37,960 | 760 |
| Wisconsin | $28,570 | −2.1% | $24,649 | $22,920 – $35,710 | 3,350 |
| Kentucky | $28,520 | −7.7% | $24,215 | $20,280 – $33,250 | 1,820 |
| North Dakota | $28,430 | +1.1% | $25,022 | $22,880 – $33,930 | 580 |
| Tennessee | $28,200 | +3.9% | $24,833 | $22,080 – $34,330 | 2,330 |
| Alabama | $28,130 | +1.2% | $23,634 | $20,560 – $33,770 | 1,080 |
| Ohio | $27,770 | −2.0% | $24,479 | $22,810 – $36,200 | 6,450 |
| North Carolina | $27,310 | +1.0% | $23,519 | $21,830 – $36,390 | 4,850 |
| Kansas | $27,220 | +9.1% | $23,274 | $21,100 – $32,720 | 1,750 |
| Arkansas | $27,000 | +4.6% | $23,004 | $23,310 – $34,050 | 530 |
| South Carolina | $26,210 | −0.5% | $22,767 | $20,470 – $35,430 | 1,900 |
| Iowa | $25,460 | +0.0% | $22,261 | $20,560 – $31,460 | 1,410 |
| Oklahoma | $25,250 | +0.5% | $21,813 | $20,830 – $35,410 | 650 |
| West Virginia | $24,670 | +1.3% | $21,329 | $20,570 – $30,160 | 450 |
| Mississippi | $24,440 | +6.8% | $21,491 | $21,110 – $31,200 | 330 |
| Louisiana | $22,240 | +0.6% | $19,644 | $20,480 – $30,990 | 660 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| School Bus Monitor | $35,100 | High school diploma or equivalent | -1.9% |
| Crossing Guard and Flagger | $38,100 | No formal educational credential | +3.5% |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $42,540 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.0% |
| Transportation Security Screener | $66,770 | High school diploma or equivalent | -4.2% |
| Security Guard | $38,020 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.9% |
| Gambling Surveillance Officer and Gambling Investigator | $43,370 | High school diploma or equivalent | -1.8% |
| Animal Control Worker | $45,660 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.0% |
| Private Detective and Investigator | $51,220 | High school diploma or equivalent | +5.5% |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $46,730 | High school diploma or equivalent | -1.1% |
| First-Line Supervisor of Security Workers | $55,940 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.7% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers make?
The national median salary for lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers is $33,580 a year ($16.14 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $25,780 and the top 10% earn over $43,970. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median pay at $60,400. After taxes and local prices, Los Angeles, CA offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers are there in the U.S.?
About 157,550 people work as lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers nationwide.