Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers earn a median of $33,580 per year ($16.14/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 5.5% through 2035, with about 45,400 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential.
- SOC 33-9092
- Protective Service
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Lifeguard, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Worker in four numbers
- Median pay
- $33,580a year, or $16.14/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $26KTop 10% $44K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +5.5%Faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+5.5%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +5.5% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 45,400162,000 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 2025162K
- Projected 2035170.8K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 162K Projected 2035 170.8K - Typical education
- No formal credentialneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school39.2%
- High school21.1%
- Certificate17.3%
- Some college5.1%
- Associate's16.1%
- Bachelor's1.2%
Highest education held by lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers Segment Value Less than high school 39.2% High school 21.1% Certificate 17.3% Some college 5.1% Associate's 16.1% Bachelor's 1.2%
Also advertised as: Beach Attendant, Beach Lifeguard, Lifeguard, Marine Safety Officer, Ocean Lifeguard, Ocean Lifeguard Specialist.
Pay
How much do Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers make?
Every lifeguard, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service worker in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$33,580
Middle half earn $28,880 to $37,520
- 10th
- $25,780
- 25th
- $28,880
- 75th
- $37,520
- 90th
- $43,970
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $25,780 |
| 25th | $28,880 |
| Median | $33,580 |
| 75th | $37,520 |
| 90th | $43,970 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $33,580
- Median hourly wage
- $16.14/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $34,470
- People employed
- 157,550
Versus all US occupations
At $33,580, Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers earn 34% below the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $17,400 a year.
Versus protective service occupations
Inside the Protective Service group, where the middle occupation pays $74,060, this is 55% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $43,970 or more while the bottom 10% earn $25,780, a gap of 1.7×. That is a narrow spread, so experience and employer move pay less than in most occupations.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 0% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
District of Columbia pays the most at $60,400, and still leads at $54,959 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1District of Columbia | $60,400 | $54,959 | 290 |
| 2Hawaii | $52,630 | $47,867 | 720 |
| 3California | $42,720 | $38,584 | 22,620 |
| 4Washington | $37,770 | $35,295 | 4,720 |
| 5Montana | $37,750 | $39,886 | 270 |
| 6Massachusetts | $36,650 | $34,655 | 2,640 |
| 7New York | $36,590 | $33,904 | 8,740 |
| 8Vermont | $36,030 | $36,781 | 310 |
| 9Connecticut | $35,960 | $34,707 | 1,510 |
| 10Rhode Island | $35,770 | $34,973 | 370 |
Job outlook
Is Lifeguard, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Worker a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Faster than average. +5.5% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | +5.5% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Faster than average
BLS projects employment of Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers to change 5.5% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 8,900 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 45,400 openings are projected each year, 28.0% of the 162,000 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Employment is expected to stem from public interest in recreational activities, such as swimming and skiing. These workers will continue to be needed to monitor various recreation sites to keep the public safe and respond to emergencies when they occur. A growing focus on lifelong well-being is expected to boost demand for athletic recreation activities, as well as for the workers responsible for maintaining participants' (or public) safety.
Getting in
How to become a Lifeguard, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Worker
Recreational protective service workers typically do not need formal education to enter the occupation. To qualify for jobs, candidates usually need athletic ability in a related recreational sport, such as swimming, skiing, or biking. Certification is often required.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
No formal educational credential
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Short-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Little or no preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers.
- Less than a High School Diploma39.2%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)21.1%
- Post-Secondary Certificate17.3%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree16.1%
- Some College Courses5.1%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Less than a High School Diploma | 39.2% |
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 21.1% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 17.3% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 16.1% |
| Some College Courses | 5.1% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Lifeguard, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Worker do?
Monitor recreational areas, such as pools, beaches, or ski slopes, to provide assistance and protection to participants.
Recreational protective service workers monitor recreational areas, such as pools, beaches, or ski slopes, to provide aid and protection to participants.
Day-to-day tasks
- Rescue distressed persons, using rescue techniques and equipment.
- Contact emergency medical personnel in case of serious injury.
- Patrol or monitor recreational areas, such as trails, slopes, or swimming areas, on foot, in vehicles, or from towers.
- Examine injured persons and administer first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, if necessary, using training and medical supplies and equipment.
- Instruct participants in skiing, swimming, or other recreational activities and provide safety precaution information.
- Warn recreational participants of inclement weather, unsafe areas, or illegal conduct.
- Inspect recreational facilities for cleanliness.
- Complete and maintain records of weather and beach conditions, emergency medical treatments performed, and other relevant incident information.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Part-time work is common. Work schedules may vary and include early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays. Jobs for recreational protective service workers are often seasonal. For example, some lifeguards primarily work during summer months, while ski patrollers primarily work during winter months.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely seriousMistakes carry very serious consequences.
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Local government, excluding education and hospitals34%
- Fitness and recreational sports centers22%
- Civic and social organizations12%
- Amusement parks and arcades8%
- Educational services; state, local, and private6%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 34% |
| Fitness and recreational sports centers | 22% |
| Civic and social organizations | 12% |
| Amusement parks and arcades | 8% |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 6% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Monitoring3.8
- Speaking3.5
- Active Listening3.1
- Learning Strategies3.1
- Critical Thinking3.0
- Reading Comprehension2.9
- Active Learning2.8
- Writing2.5
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Monitoring | 3.8 |
| Speaking | 3.5 |
| Active Listening | 3.1 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.1 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.0 |
| Reading Comprehension | 2.9 |
| Active Learning | 2.8 |
| Writing | 2.5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Social Perceptiveness3.4
- Service Orientation3.3
- Coordination3.0
- Complex Problem Solving3.0
- Judgment and Decision Making3.0
- Instructing2.8
- Persuasion2.5
- Time Management2.4
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.4 |
| Service Orientation | 3.3 |
| Coordination | 3.0 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.0 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.0 |
| Instructing | 2.8 |
| Persuasion | 2.5 |
| Time Management | 2.4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Desktop publishing software
- Instant messaging software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Lifeguard, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Worker?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Lifeguard, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Worker |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 6 |
| Investigative | 2 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 4 |
| Enterprising | 3 |
| Conventional | 3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with teaching, helping and working directly with other people.
- Realistic6.3
- Social4.2
- Conventional3.4
- Enterprising2.9
- Investigative2.4
- Artistic1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Lifeguard, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Worker
O*NET related occupations
- Protective Service
- Transportation and Material Moving
Ambulance Driver and Attendant, Except Emergency Medical Technicians
$35,450median a year
Most earn $27K to $46K
−1.3%High school - Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Personal Care and Service
- Protective Service
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
Occupational Health and Safety Technician
$61,560median a year
Most earn $46K to $100K
+19.4%High school
More protective service careers
Median annual pay, with lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers highlighted
- Detective and Criminal Investigator$93,790
- Intelligence Analyst$93,790
- Police Officer$76,210
- Custom and Border Protection Officer$76,210
- Firefighter$59,280
- Correctional Officer and Jailer$58,940
- Private Detective and Investigator$51,220
- Security Guard$38,020
- Lifeguard, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Worker$33,580
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Detective and Criminal Investigator | $93,790 |
| Intelligence Analyst | $93,790 |
| Police Officer | $76,210 |
| Custom and Border Protection Officer | $76,210 |
| Firefighter | $59,280 |
| Correctional Officer and Jailer | $58,940 |
| Private Detective and Investigator | $51,220 |
| Security Guard | $38,020 |
| Lifeguard, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Worker | $33,580 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Specialty careers within lifeguard, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service worker
Distinct careers BLS counts inside this occupation, each with its own profile.
Lists Lifeguard, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Worker appears on
Questions
Lifeguard, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Worker: frequently asked questions
How much do Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers make?
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers earn a median of $33,580 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 34% below the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $16.14/hr. The middle half earn between $28,880 and $37,520. The top 10% earn $43,970 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Lifeguard, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Worker?
No. BLS lists no formal educational credential as the typical entry requirement for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as little or no preparation. BLS also lists short-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 39.2% hold less than a high school diploma.
Is Lifeguard, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Worker a growing career?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5.5% over 2025–2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 45,400 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Lifeguard, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Worker do?
Recreational protective service workers monitor recreational areas, such as pools, beaches, or ski slopes, to provide aid and protection to participants. A core O*NET task: rescue distressed persons, using rescue techniques and equipment. Employers most often ask for Electronic mail software, Presentation software, Spreadsheet software.
Which states pay Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers the most?
The highest state medians for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers are District of Columbia ($60,400), Hawaii ($52,630), California ($42,720) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Lifeguard, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Worker?
O*NET scores Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers highest on the Realistic, Social and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with teaching, helping and working directly with other people. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ISFJ, ISTJ, ESTJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.