SOC 33-9092 · Protective Service Occupations

Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers

Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025United States, all industries

U.S. median annual wage$33,580

U.S. median hourly wage$16.14

U.S. employment157,550

Nationally, lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers earned a median of $33,580 per year as of the May 2025 OEWS estimates, across 157,550 jobs. Pay varies substantially by area — look up a specific state or metro below.

National pay distribution

Pay by state

Every state and territory with a published May 2025 estimate. “Not published” means BLS suppressed the value — it never means zero. Higher medians often track higher living costs; this is not a ranking of where the job is “best”.

Filter state

Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers: pay and employment by state
State
District of Columbia	$60,400	$29.04	290	0.4
Hawaii	$52,630	$25.30	720	1.1
California	$42,720	$20.54	22,620	1.2
Washington	$37,770	$18.16	4,720	1.3
Montana	$37,750	$18.15	270	0.5
Massachusetts	$36,650	$17.62	2,640	0.7
New York	$36,590	$17.59	8,740	0.9
Vermont	$36,030	$17.32	310	1.0
Connecticut	$35,960	$17.29	1,510	0.9
Rhode Island	$35,770	$17.20	370	0.7
Colorado	$35,640	$17.13	5,430	1.9
Arizona	$35,380	$17.01	3,950	1.2
Florida	$35,040	$16.85	9,460	1.0
Oregon	$35,030	$16.84	1,860	0.9
New Jersey	$34,760	$16.71	5,460	1.3
Alaska	$34,540	$16.61	340	1.0
Maryland	$34,520	$16.60	4,160	1.5
Maine	$34,320	$16.50	340	0.5
Illinois	$33,710	$16.21	5,880	1.0
New Hampshire	$32,100	$15.43	280	0.4
Delaware	$31,930	$15.35	360	0.7
Minnesota	$31,870	$15.32	2,130	0.7
South Dakota	$30,990	$14.90	490	1.1
Georgia	$30,880	$14.85	2,840	0.6
Nevada	$30,830	$14.82	2,630	1.7
Virginia	$30,070	$14.46	8,920	2.2
Michigan	$29,760	$14.31	3,770	0.9
Pennsylvania	$29,480	$14.17	5,450	0.9
Texas	$29,450	$14.16	11,320	0.8
Missouri	$29,260	$14.07	3,100	1.1
Nebraska	$29,100	$13.99	1,250	1.2
Wyoming	$29,030	$13.96	500	1.8
Idaho	$28,770	$13.83	750	0.9
Utah	$28,720	$13.81	2,550	1.5
Indiana	$28,640	$13.77	3,290	1.0
New Mexico	$28,590	$13.75	760	0.9
Wisconsin	$28,570	$13.74	3,350	1.1
Kentucky	$28,520	$13.71	1,820	0.9
North Dakota	$28,430	$13.67	580	1.3
Tennessee	$28,200	$13.56	2,330	0.7
Alabama	$28,130	$13.52	1,080	0.5
Ohio	$27,770	$13.35	6,450	1.2
North Carolina	$27,310	$13.13	4,850	1.0
Kansas	$27,220	$13.09	1,750	1.2
Arkansas	$27,000	$12.98	530	0.4
South Carolina	$26,210	$12.60	1,900	0.8
Iowa	$25,460	$12.24	1,410	0.9
Oklahoma	$25,250	$12.14	650	0.4
West Virginia	$24,670	$11.86	450	0.6
Mississippi	$24,440	$11.75	330	0.3
Louisiana	$22,240	$10.69	660	0.3
Puerto Rico	$21,840	$10.50	140	0.2

Pay by metro area

All 266 metro areas where BLS publishes this occupation. Sort by median wage, employment, or local concentration — or see the highest-paying metros ranked.

Each dot is one metro area with a published median — hover any dot for the name and figure. Metros without published estimates are not drawn.

Filter metro area

Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers: pay and employment by metro area
Metro area
Kahului-Wailuku, HI	$64,030	$30.79	110	1.5
Urban Honolulu, HI	$49,730	$23.91	Not published	Not published
Bozeman, MT	$44,610	$21.45	100	1.4
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$43,800	$21.06	11,640	1.9
Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX	$43,260	$20.80	1,800	1.4
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	$43,050	$20.70	2,480	1.6
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$42,460	$20.41	1,020	0.9
Ann Arbor, MI	$42,330	$20.35	390	1.8
Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL	$41,310	$19.86	50	0.4
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA	$39,970	$19.22	340	3.5
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA	$39,580	$19.03	260	1.3
Traverse City, MI	$39,270	$18.88	120	1.8
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$39,240	$18.86	3,060	1.5
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	$39,160	$18.83	1,070	0.6
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$39,120	$18.81	2,000	0.8
Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL	$38,900	$18.70	310	1.4
Medford, OR	$38,790	$18.65	70	0.8
Stockton-Lodi, CA	$38,480	$18.50	210	0.7
Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ	$38,130	$18.33	290	1.7
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	$38,070	$18.30	1,000	0.9
Bend, OR	$37,930	$18.24	120	1.1
Barnstable Town, MA	$37,710	$18.13	50	0.5
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA	$37,650	$18.10	460	1.4
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA	$37,320	$17.94	150	0.7
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL	$37,230	$17.90	2,730	1.0
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$37,180	$17.88	2,000	0.7
Bellingham, WA	$37,110	$17.84	110	1.2
Vallejo, CA	$37,010	$17.79	260	1.8
Modesto, CA	$36,960	$17.77	100	0.5
Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA	$36,930	$17.76	120	1.3
Flagstaff, AZ	$36,830	$17.71	240	3.6
Naples-Marco Island, FL	$36,740	$17.66	120	0.7
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO	$36,620	$17.61	2,820	1.8
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$36,600	$17.60	9,610	1.0
Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT	$36,430	$17.52	90	0.7
Bakersfield-Delano, CA	$36,360	$17.48	120	0.3
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA	$36,360	$17.48	200	1.7
Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ	$36,360	$17.48	80	2.3
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$36,350	$17.48	1,090	0.9
Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL	$36,300	$17.45	100	0.5
Worcester, MA	$36,010	$17.31	300	0.8
Waterbury-Shelton, CT	$35,990	$17.30	140	0.9
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT	$35,960	$17.29	550	0.9
Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor, FL	$35,870	$17.24	80	1.4
Amherst Town-Northampton, MA	$35,860	$17.24	50	0.7
Tucson, AZ	$35,860	$17.24	660	1.7
Fresno, CA	$35,820	$17.22	230	0.5
New Haven, CT	$35,800	$17.21	230	0.8
Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL	$35,800	$17.21	80	0.9
Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT	$35,770	$17.20	460	1.1
Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA	$35,710	$17.17	130	1.0
Sioux Falls, SD-MN	$35,610	$17.12	140	0.8
Boulder, CO	$35,500	$17.07	540	2.8
Kennewick-Richland, WA	$35,460	$17.05	130	1.0
Pittsfield, MA	$35,340	$16.99	60	1.0
Providence-Warwick, RI-MA	$35,310	$16.98	540	0.8
Fayetteville, NC	$35,230	$16.94	150	1.2
Rochester, NY	$35,170	$16.91	700	1.4
Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI	$35,150	$16.90	50	0.9
Portland-South Portland, ME	$35,050	$16.85	140	0.5
Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY	$35,010	$16.83	510	1.0
Lewiston, ID-WA	$34,940	$16.80	90	3.0
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ	$34,830	$16.75	2,380	1.0
North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL	$34,770	$16.72	310	0.9
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$34,710	$16.69	4,600	1.5
Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA	$34,650	$16.66	320	1.3
Yakima, WA	$34,650	$16.66	120	1.2
Salinas, CA	$34,620	$16.64	250	1.3
Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL	$34,600	$16.64	120	0.5
Fort Collins-Loveland, CO	$34,580	$16.62	220	1.3
Ithaca, NY	$34,430	$16.55	70	1.4
Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ	$34,370	$16.52	160	2.8
Chico, CA	$34,320	$16.50	50	0.7
El Centro, CA	$34,320	$16.50	90	1.3
Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY	$34,320	$16.50	250	0.9
Ocala, FL	$34,130	$16.41	70	0.6
Springfield, MA	$34,110	$16.40	100	0.5
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	$34,090	$16.39	1,380	0.7
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD	$34,080	$16.39	2,550	1.9
Rapid City, SD	$34,010	$16.35	110	1.5
Trenton-Princeton, NJ	$33,920	$16.31	220	0.9
Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ	$33,820	$16.26	80	1.1
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN	$33,750	$16.23	4,960	1.1
Reno, NV	$33,640	$16.17	400	1.5
Salem, OR	$33,570	$16.14	130	0.7
Jacksonville, FL	$33,500	$16.11	750	1.0
Albany, OR	$33,410	$16.06	30	0.6
Burlington-South Burlington, VT	$33,390	$16.05	80	0.6
Bloomington, IL	$33,270	$16.00	100	1.1
El Paso, TX	$33,180	$15.95	230	0.7
Charleston-North Charleston, SC	$33,170	$15.95	450	1.2
Greeley, CO	$33,080	$15.91	210	1.7
Watertown-Fort Drum, NY	$33,070	$15.90	60	1.4
Syracuse, NY	$32,870	$15.80	330	1.1
Bangor, ME	$32,740	$15.74	50	0.7
Savannah, GA	$32,400	$15.58	90	0.5
Salt Lake City-Murray, UT	$32,380	$15.57	690	0.8
Erie, PA	$32,330	$15.54	180	1.5
Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY	$32,240	$15.50	440	1.0
Binghamton, NY	$32,240	$15.50	70	0.7
Kingston, NY	$32,240	$15.50	50	0.9
Utica-Rome, NY	$32,240	$15.50	70	0.6
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	$32,220	$15.49	2,980	1.0
Colorado Springs, CO	$32,180	$15.47	370	1.2
Elkhart-Goshen, IN	$32,130	$15.45	30	0.3
Harrisonburg, VA	$31,980	$15.37	100	1.5
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA	$31,860	$15.32	1,910	0.7
Port St. Lucie, FL	$31,820	$15.30	120	0.7
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL	$31,720	$15.25	620	0.4
Midland, TX	$31,640	$15.21	40	0.4
St. Cloud, MN	$31,560	$15.18	60	0.6
Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL	$31,470	$15.13	200	2.3
Cedar Rapids, IA	$31,460	$15.12	200	1.5
Eugene-Springfield, OR	$31,330	$15.06	120	0.8
Springfield, IL	$31,250	$15.02	90	0.9
Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA	$31,200	$15.00	160	2.1
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL	$31,200	$15.00	160	0.9
Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV	$31,200	$15.00	100	0.9
Peoria, IL	$31,200	$15.00	90	0.5
Rockford, IL	$31,200	$15.00	170	1.2
Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN	$31,090	$14.95	140	1.3
Kenosha, WI	$30,980	$14.90	90	1.2
Michigan City-La Porte, IN	$30,960	$14.89	40	0.9
Ogden, UT	$30,930	$14.87	200	0.7
Killeen-Temple, TX	$30,830	$14.82	150	1.0
Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV	$30,830	$14.82	2,080	1.8
Madison, WI	$30,830	$14.82	430	1.1
Grand Junction, CO	$30,800	$14.81	80	1.2
Burlington, NC	$30,790	$14.81	50	0.7
St. Louis, MO-IL	$30,730	$14.77	1,680	1.3
Iowa City, IA	$30,620	$14.72	60	0.7
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ	$30,610	$14.72	280	0.7
Kansas City, MO-KS	$30,590	$14.71	1,240	1.1
Yuma, AZ	$30,580	$14.70	80	1.1
Green Bay, WI	$30,560	$14.69	290	1.7
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL	$30,510	$14.67	2,980	2.1
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	$30,320	$14.58	1,540	1.4
Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC	$30,270	$14.55	210	1.4
Greensboro-High Point, NC	$30,100	$14.47	280	0.8
Lincoln, NE	$30,100	$14.47	100	0.5
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN	$29,870	$14.36	880	1.3
Fargo, ND-MN	$29,830	$14.34	140	1.0
Charlottesville, VA	$29,800	$14.33	Not published	Not published
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX	$29,770	$14.31	3,930	1.0
York-Hanover, PA	$29,730	$14.30	130	0.7
Duluth, MN-WI	$29,710	$14.29	90	0.7
Roanoke, VA	$29,580	$14.22	370	2.4
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI	$29,540	$14.20	1,500	0.8
South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI	$29,500	$14.18	100	0.8
Lansing-East Lansing, MI	$29,440	$14.15	160	0.8
Omaha, NE-IA	$29,300	$14.09	550	1.1
Sandusky, OH	$29,280	$14.08	160	3.2
Columbus, OH	$29,260	$14.07	1,280	1.2
Lawrence, KS	$29,190	$14.03	80	1.6
Lexington-Fayette, KY	$29,180	$14.03	Not published	Not published
Asheville, NC	$29,120	$14.00	70	0.4
Gainesville, GA	$29,120	$14.00	80	0.8
Springfield, MO	$29,120	$14.00	300	1.3
Longview, TX	$29,110	$14.00	30	0.3
Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA	$29,100	$13.99	360	1.1
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI	$29,060	$13.97	880	1.1
Grand Forks, ND-MN	$29,050	$13.97	80	1.5
Bismarck, ND	$29,030	$13.96	90	1.2
Boise City, ID	$29,000	$13.94	320	0.8
Greenville, NC	$28,930	$13.91	50	0.6
Huntsville, AL	$28,900	$13.89	110	0.4
San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX	$28,870	$13.88	1,500	1.3
Winchester, VA-WV	$28,840	$13.86	70	1.1
Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN	$28,810	$13.85	1,400	1.3
Cleveland, OH	$28,800	$13.84	1,630	1.6
Flint, MI	$28,780	$13.84	50	0.4
Muncie, IN	$28,750	$13.82	40	0.8
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	$28,740	$13.82	1,880	1.4
Corpus Christi, TX	$28,730	$13.81	110	0.6
Fort Wayne, IN	$28,720	$13.81	270	1.2
Lynchburg, VA	$28,650	$13.77	170	1.7
Columbia, MO	$28,600	$13.75	80	0.8
Richmond, VA	$28,590	$13.74	Not published	Not published
Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI	$28,560	$13.73	530	0.9
Topeka, KS	$28,540	$13.72	Not published	Not published
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN	$28,500	$13.70	620	0.6
Appleton, WI	$28,480	$13.69	250	2.1
Birmingham, AL	$28,320	$13.62	330	0.6
Albuquerque, NM	$28,240	$13.58	400	1.0
Niles, MI	$28,170	$13.55	100	1.6
Chattanooga, TN-GA	$28,090	$13.51	140	0.5
Eau Claire, WI	$28,090	$13.51	110	1.2
Sioux City, IA-NE-SD	$28,080	$13.50	50	0.6
Oshkosh-Neenah, WI	$27,940	$13.44	120	1.2
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC	$27,890	$13.41	2,060	2.7
Rochester, MN	$27,810	$13.37	70	0.5
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR	$27,790	$13.36	130	0.5
La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN	$27,780	$13.36	90	1.0
Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC	$27,700	$13.32	130	0.6
Pittsburgh, PA	$27,640	$13.29	940	0.8
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX	$27,540	$13.24	2,320	0.7
Lancaster, PA	$27,500	$13.22	220	0.9
Akron, OH	$27,420	$13.19	290	0.9
Kalamazoo-Portage, MI	$27,380	$13.17	70	0.6
Raleigh-Cary, NC	$27,380	$13.16	990	1.3
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC	$27,280	$13.11	260	0.8
Memphis, TN-MS-AR	$27,260	$13.10	460	0.8
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR	$27,130	$13.04	290	0.8
Wilmington, NC	$27,070	$13.01	260	1.4
Reading, PA	$27,050	$13.00	80	0.5
Evansville, IN	$27,020	$12.99	180	1.3
Knoxville, TN	$26,920	$12.94	180	0.4
Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA	$26,840	$12.91	80	0.6
Terre Haute, IN	$26,730	$12.85	60	0.9
Columbia, SC	$26,720	$12.85	240	0.6
Brownsville-Harlingen, TX	$26,680	$12.83	80	0.5
Spartanburg, SC	$26,670	$12.82	100	0.6
Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA	$26,530	$12.76	170	0.7
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA	$26,480	$12.73	370	0.9
Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT	$26,360	$12.67	520	1.7
Winston-Salem, NC	$26,300	$12.64	220	0.8
Lima, OH	$26,220	$12.60	40	0.8
Gulfport-Biloxi, MS	$26,100	$12.55	50	0.3
Sherman-Denison, TX	$26,080	$12.54	70	1.4
Athens-Clarke County, GA	$26,000	$12.50	80	0.9
Bay City, MI	$25,960	$12.48	50	1.5
Jackson, MI	$25,960	$12.48	50	0.9
Janesville-Beloit, WI	$25,790	$12.40	70	0.9
College Station-Bryan, TX	$25,690	$12.35	90	0.7
Wausau, WI	$25,690	$12.35	130	1.9
Anchorage, AK	$25,600	$12.31	110	0.6
Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH	$25,580	$12.30	350	1.0
Columbus, GA-AL	$25,540	$12.28	90	0.7
Charleston, WV	$25,480	$12.25	70	0.7
Cleveland, TN	$25,440	$12.23	60	1.4
Youngstown-Warren, OH	$25,440	$12.23	140	0.9
McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX	$25,420	$12.22	110	0.4
Chambersburg, PA	$25,410	$12.21	40	0.7
Lake Charles, LA	$25,210	$12.12	120	1.2
Altoona, PA	$25,170	$12.10	70	1.1
New Orleans-Metairie, LA	$24,960	$12.00	130	0.3
Brunswick-St. Simons, GA	$24,880	$11.96	30	0.7
Toledo, OH	$24,820	$11.94	310	1.0
Springfield, OH	$24,720	$11.89	50	1.0
Idaho Falls, ID	$24,670	$11.86	70	0.9
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC	$24,480	$11.77	120	0.8
Wheeling, WV-OH	$24,320	$11.69	60	1.0
St. George, UT	$24,270	$11.67	140	1.5
Oklahoma City, OK	$23,730	$11.41	180	0.3
Ames, IA	$23,640	$11.37	40	0.7
Columbus, IN	$23,640	$11.37	90	1.8
Canton-Massillon, OH	$23,630	$11.36	220	1.3
Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC	$23,450	$11.28	380	0.9
Bowling Green, KY	$23,430	$11.26	90	1.1
Tulsa, OK	$23,210	$11.16	100	0.2
Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA	$23,190	$11.15	90	1.1
Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC	$23,170	$11.14	50	1.2
Jackson, MS	$22,970	$11.04	70	0.3
Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH	$22,880	$11.00	170	1.2
San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR	$22,620	$10.87	90	0.1
Mansfield, OH	$22,260	$10.70	60	1.2
Baton Rouge, LA	$22,240	$10.69	110	0.3
Amarillo, TX	$22,120	$10.64	70	0.5
Montgomery, AL	$21,940	$10.55	110	0.7
Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA	$21,390	$10.29	110	1.1
Shreveport-Bossier City, LA	$21,100	$10.15	60	0.4
Lafayette, LA	$21,040	$10.11	40	0.2
Morristown, TN	$20,720	$9.96	80	1.6
Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL	Not published	Not published	140	0.5
Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC	Not published	Not published	60	0.8
Tallahassee, FL	Not published	Not published	130	0.7

About this data. Estimates are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 release, retrieved from bls.gov/oes/tables.htm on July 24, 2026. OEWS estimates describe metropolitan/nonmetropolitan areas and states — not city limits — and are not designed for year-over-year comparisons. See BLS methodology, our plain-English methodology, and sources. CitySalaryData is independent and not affiliated with BLS.