Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers is $33,580, or $16.14 per hour. About 157,550 people work in this occupation nationwide. Wages vary substantially by state — from $60,400 in District of Columbia to $22,240 in Louisiana.
Wage distribution nationwide
Earnings spread across all U.S. workers in this occupation.
Salary by state
All 51 states with published data, ranked by median annual wage.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $60,400 | $29.04 | 290 | 0.41 |
| 2 | Hawaii | $52,630 | $25.30 | 720 | 1.13 |
| 3 | California | $42,720 | $20.54 | 22,620 | 1.23 |
| 4 | Washington | $37,770 | $18.16 | 4,720 | 1.31 |
| 5 | Montana | $37,750 | $18.15 | 270 | 0.51 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | $36,650 | $17.62 | 2,640 | 0.72 |
| 7 | New York | $36,590 | $17.59 | 8,740 | 0.89 |
| 8 | Vermont | $36,030 | $17.32 | 310 | 1.00 |
| 9 | Connecticut | $35,960 | $17.29 | 1,510 | 0.88 |
| 10 | Rhode Island | $35,770 | $17.20 | 370 | 0.72 |
| 11 | Colorado | $35,640 | $17.13 | 5,430 | 1.86 |
| 12 | Arizona | $35,380 | $17.01 | 3,950 | 1.20 |
| 13 | Florida | $35,040 | $16.85 | 9,460 | 0.94 |
| 14 | Oregon | $35,030 | $16.84 | 1,860 | 0.93 |
| 15 | New Jersey | $34,760 | $16.71 | 5,460 | 1.26 |
| 16 | Alaska | $34,540 | $16.61 | 340 | 1.03 |
| 17 | Maryland | $34,520 | $16.60 | 4,160 | 1.49 |
| 18 | Maine | $34,320 | $16.50 | 340 | 0.53 |
| 19 | Illinois | $33,710 | $16.21 | 5,880 | 0.95 |
| 20 | New Hampshire | $32,100 | $15.43 | 280 | 0.41 |
| 21 | Delaware | $31,930 | $15.35 | 360 | 0.73 |
| 22 | Minnesota | $31,870 | $15.32 | 2,130 | 0.71 |
| 23 | South Dakota | $30,990 | $14.90 | 490 | 1.05 |
| 24 | Georgia | $30,880 | $14.85 | 2,840 | 0.57 |
| 25 | Nevada | $30,830 | $14.82 | 2,630 | 1.68 |
| 26 | Virginia | $30,070 | $14.46 | 8,920 | 2.14 |
| 27 | Michigan | $29,760 | $14.31 | 3,770 | 0.84 |
| 28 | Pennsylvania | $29,480 | $14.17 | 5,450 | 0.89 |
| 29 | Texas | $29,450 | $14.16 | 11,320 | 0.79 |
| 30 | Missouri | $29,260 | $14.07 | 3,100 | 1.04 |
| 31 | Nebraska | $29,100 | $13.99 | 1,250 | 1.20 |
| 32 | Wyoming | $29,030 | $13.96 | 500 | 1.77 |
| 33 | Idaho | $28,770 | $13.83 | 750 | 0.86 |
| 34 | Utah | $28,720 | $13.81 | 2,550 | 1.45 |
| 35 | Indiana | $28,640 | $13.77 | 3,290 | 1.01 |
| 36 | New Mexico | $28,590 | $13.75 | 760 | 0.86 |
| 37 | Wisconsin | $28,570 | $13.74 | 3,350 | 1.12 |
| 38 | Kentucky | $28,520 | $13.71 | 1,820 | 0.90 |
| 39 | North Dakota | $28,430 | $13.67 | 580 | 1.33 |
| 40 | Tennessee | $28,200 | $13.56 | 2,330 | 0.70 |
| 41 | Alabama | $28,130 | $13.52 | 1,080 | 0.51 |
| 42 | Ohio | $27,770 | $13.35 | 6,450 | 1.15 |
| 43 | North Carolina | $27,310 | $13.13 | 4,850 | 0.97 |
| 44 | Kansas | $27,220 | $13.09 | 1,750 | 1.20 |
| 45 | Arkansas | $27,000 | $12.98 | 530 | 0.40 |
| 46 | South Carolina | $26,210 | $12.60 | 1,900 | 0.81 |
| 47 | Iowa | $25,460 | $12.24 | 1,410 | 0.89 |
| 48 | Oklahoma | $25,250 | $12.14 | 650 | 0.38 |
| 49 | West Virginia | $24,670 | $11.86 | 450 | 0.63 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $24,440 | $11.75 | 330 | 0.28 |
| 51 | Louisiana | $22,240 | $10.69 | 660 | 0.33 |
Related occupations
Same job family, ranked by national employment.
Frequently asked questions
How much do lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers make?
The median annual wage for lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers in the United States is $33,580, or $16.14 per hour. Entry-level workers (10th percentile) earn $25,780, and the top 10% earn $43,970.
How many lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers are employed in the U.S.?
About 157,550 people work as lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers nationwide.
Which state pays lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers the most?
District of Columbia pays the most at a median of $60,400, followed by Hawaii ($52,630) and California ($42,720).
Which state pays lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers the least?
Louisiana has the lowest median at $22,240.
Where are lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers jobs most concentrated?
The location quotient measures employment concentration relative to the national average. The highest is Virginia at 2.14×.