Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers
SOC 33-9092BLS OEWS May 2025
Monitor recreational areas, such as pools, beaches, or ski slopes, to provide assistance and protection to participants.
National median · BLS
$33,580
▼ -0.42%YoY
H-1B sponsor median
—
Too few H-1B filings
Average salary · BLS
$34,470
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
157,550
Jobs (BLS)
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Pay range for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers
Annual base pay at each percentile. BLS covers all U.S. workers in this occupation.
Percentile
All U.S. workers (BLS)
10th — entry pay
$25,780
25th
$28,880
Median (50th)
$33,580
75th
$37,520
90th — top pay
$43,970
Hourly ⇄ annual pay
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Monthly—
Every 2 weeks—
Weekly—
Daily—
Based on
hrs/week ×
weeks/year
= 2,080 hrs
Projections 2025–2035
Job outlook for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers
BLS projects employment of lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers to grow 5.5% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations.
About 45,400 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.
Jobs 2025 → 2035
162,000 → 170,800
+8,900 jobs
Projected change
+5.5%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
45,400
Average, 2025–2035
Typical entry education
No formal educational credential
No related experience required
On-the-job training
Short-term on-the-job training
Preparation needed (O*NET Job Zone 2)
Very Little to Some Preparation Needed. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers salaries by state
BLS state medians, plus the same figure adjusted for local prices (BEA Regional Price Parities). Tap a state for its full range and H-1B pay.
State
Median
Jobs
Cost-adjusted
Profile
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers salaries by metro area
Search by city, ZIP code or metro name. Tap a metro for its full range.
Metro area
Median
Jobs
Cost-adjusted
Profile
Skills & tools
Skills needed for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers
How important each skill and knowledge area is for this job, rated by O*NET on a 1–5 scale from surveys of workers and occupational analysts.
Top skills
Monitoring3.8
Speaking3.5
Social Perceptiveness3.4
Service Orientation3.3
Active Listening3.1
Learning Strategies3.1
Complex Problem Solving3.0
Coordination3.0
Critical Thinking3.0
Judgment and Decision Making3.0
Top knowledge areas
Customer and Personal Service4.0
Public Safety and Security3.6
English Language3.5
Education and Training3.1
Medicine and Dentistry3.0
Psychology3.0
Administration and Management2.7
Chemistry2.5
Software and technology used
Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WordGroupMeMicrosoft Publisher
Highlighted = in demand: frequently listed in employer job postings for this occupation (O*NET).
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
About the job
What lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers do
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.
Maintain quality of pool water by testing chemical levels.
Complete and maintain records of weather and beach conditions, emergency medical treatments performed, and other relevant incident information.
Instruct participants in skiing, swimming, or other recreational activities and provide safety precaution information.
Source: O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0). These are general job titles, not H-1B filings; for titles employers actually filed, see “Job titles” above.
Similar jobs and how they pay
Occupations O*NET lists as closely related to Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers, with BLS national medians compared with this occupation's $33,580.
