Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers Salary in the United States
Median annual wage: $33,580 · Median hourly: $16.14 · Employment: 157,550
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $25,780 | $12.40 |
| 25th | $28,880 | $13.89 |
| Median | $33,580 | $16.14 |
| 75th | $37,520 | $18.04 |
| 90th | $43,970 | $21.14 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 33-9092
- Total U.S. employment: 157,550
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
What this means
Pay spans a wide range: workers at the 10th percentile earn about $25,780, while those at the 90th percentile earn about $43,970 — a 1.7x gap between entry-level and top earners.
At $16.14 per hour, a full-time schedule (2,080 hours per year) works out to roughly $33,571 — in line with the reported median annual wage of $33,580.
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $28,130 | $13.52 | -16.2% | 1,080 |
| Alaska | $34,540 | $16.61 | +2.9% | 340 |
| Arizona | $35,380 | $17.01 | +5.4% | 3,950 |
| Arkansas | $27,000 | $12.98 | -19.6% | 530 |
| California | $42,720 | $20.54 | +27.2% | 22,620 |
| Colorado | $35,640 | $17.13 | +6.1% | 5,430 |
| Connecticut | $35,960 | $17.29 | +7.1% | 1,510 |
| Delaware | $31,930 | $15.35 | -4.9% | 360 |
| District of Columbia | $60,400 | $29.04 | +79.9% | 290 |
| Florida | $35,040 | $16.85 | +4.3% | 9,460 |
| Georgia | $30,880 | $14.85 | -8.0% | 2,840 |
| Hawaii | $52,630 | $25.30 | +56.7% | 720 |
| Idaho | $28,770 | $13.83 | -14.3% | 750 |
| Illinois | $33,710 | $16.21 | +0.4% | 5,880 |
| Indiana | $28,640 | $13.77 | -14.7% | 3,290 |
| Iowa | $25,460 | $12.24 | -24.2% | 1,410 |
| Kansas | $27,220 | $13.09 | -18.9% | 1,750 |
| Kentucky | $28,520 | $13.71 | -15.1% | 1,820 |
| Louisiana | $22,240 | $10.69 | -33.8% | 660 |
| Maine | $34,320 | $16.50 | +2.2% | 340 |
| Maryland | $34,520 | $16.60 | +2.8% | 4,160 |
| Massachusetts | $36,650 | $17.62 | +9.1% | 2,640 |
| Michigan | $29,760 | $14.31 | -11.4% | 3,770 |
| Minnesota | $31,870 | $15.32 | -5.1% | 2,130 |
| Mississippi | $24,440 | $11.75 | -27.2% | 330 |
| Missouri | $29,260 | $14.07 | -12.9% | 3,100 |
| Montana | $37,750 | $18.15 | +12.4% | 270 |
| Nebraska | $29,100 | $13.99 | -13.3% | 1,250 |
| Nevada | $30,830 | $14.82 | -8.2% | 2,630 |
| New Hampshire | $32,100 | $15.43 | -4.4% | 280 |
| New Jersey | $34,760 | $16.71 | +3.5% | 5,460 |
| New Mexico | $28,590 | $13.75 | -14.9% | 760 |
| New York | $36,590 | $17.59 | +9.0% | 8,740 |
| North Carolina | $27,310 | $13.13 | -18.7% | 4,850 |
| North Dakota | $28,430 | $13.67 | -15.3% | 580 |
| Ohio | $27,770 | $13.35 | -17.3% | 6,450 |
| Oklahoma | $25,250 | $12.14 | -24.8% | 650 |
| Oregon | $35,030 | $16.84 | +4.3% | 1,860 |
| Pennsylvania | $29,480 | $14.17 | -12.2% | 5,450 |
| Rhode Island | $35,770 | $17.20 | +6.5% | 370 |
| South Carolina | $26,210 | $12.60 | -21.9% | 1,900 |
| South Dakota | $30,990 | $14.90 | -7.7% | 490 |
| Tennessee | $28,200 | $13.56 | -16.0% | 2,330 |
| Texas | $29,450 | $14.16 | -12.3% | 11,320 |
| Utah | $28,720 | $13.81 | -14.5% | 2,550 |
| Vermont | $36,030 | $17.32 | +7.3% | 310 |
| Virginia | $30,070 | $14.46 | -10.5% | 8,920 |
| Washington | $37,770 | $18.16 | +12.5% | 4,720 |
| West Virginia | $24,670 | $11.86 | -26.5% | 450 |
| Wisconsin | $28,570 | $13.74 | -14.9% | 3,350 |
| Wyoming | $29,030 | $13.96 | -13.5% | 500 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES, May 2024 (updated April 2025)
Related Occupations
- Office Clerks, General — $45,010/yr
- Waiters and Waitresses — $35,230/yr
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners — $36,840/yr
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers — $58,640/yr
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive — $47,540/yr
- Software Developers — $135,980/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers?
The median annual wage for lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers is $33,580 ($16.14 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2024.
Which state pays lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 157,550 lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $16.14. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.